It was another good Sunday for both Hassocks Under 18s and Ladies sides as they picked up further three points to remain at the top of their respective tables.
Hassocks Under 18s wrapped up their biggest victory of the season so far as they hammered Rottingdean Village 8-1 away from home.
The victory ensured that the Robins maintain their 100% record and moved to the top of the table, ahead of local rivals Haywards Heath Town having played a game more than the Blues.
Hassocks host Heath in a fortnights time and already it looks like a potential six pointer as the Robins seek back-to-back Southern Combination Under 18 Central Division League titles.
Brad Sweetman made three changes from the side that won 4-2 away at Steyning Town in the League Cup the previous week. Toby Fisher returned in goal, Harvey Ransome came in for Alex Mouvogny at the back and Henry Le-May replaced Brandon Sheppard in midfield.
Hassocks dominated the opening exchanges on a beautiful morning at the Rottingdean Sports Centre and two goals in the space of two minutes put them firmly in control of proceedings.
The first came from top scorer Tristan Hayes with just 13 minutes on the clock and 90 seconds later, captain Jack Baden notched his first for the club.
Ollie Spicer pulled one back midway through the half, but Hayes added his second five minute before the break to ensure that the Robins went into half time with a two-goal advantage.
It was turning out to be a good day at the end of a good week for Baden as he added his second and Hassocks’ fourth within 10 minutes of the restart, just five days after making his debut for the first team in the 2-1 Sussex Senior Cup first round defeat away at Chichester City.
There was a bit of a lull in proceedings after that as both sides rang the changes before a breathless last quarter of an hour in which Hassocks added four more goals.
Josh Sandilands started that late rout with his first goal for the club on 74 minutes and Jordan Fowler did likewise three minutes later.
On 88, Sandilands made it 7-1 direct from a corner and Yahya Azizi belatedly got in on the act with his eighth goal of the season in injury time.
That rounded off the scoring but Sweetman will know tougher tests lie ahead than that offered by the divisions bottom club – starting with that huge clash with Heath at the Beacon.
Braces from Billie Philpott and Katherine Chappell ensured that Hassocks Ladies maintained their 100% record at the top of the South East Counties Women’s League Division One East.
They ran out 4-0 winners away at Milford & Witley, making it five wins from five and securing a second clean sheet of the season.
The Robins were without regular goalkeeper Sarah Chappell, so securing a shut out with Ellie Moquet taking up the gloves would’ve been as pleasing as the three points for Hassocks boss Martin Lee.
Lee named an unchanged side for the first time this season, sticking with the players who were so impressive in the 4-1 win away at Mole Valley.
The only changes came on the bench, where Lisa Callow and Liz King joined Laura Espana in being used substitutes, all three receiving good amounts of playing time which was particularly beneficial to King as she steps up her return from over a year on the side lines.
Chappell is in the form of her life currently with these latest two goals from midfield taking her onto seven for the season, one behind Philpott who now has eight to her name and another star player award for the collection.
The Robins take a short break from league action now, with no game scheduled for next weekend and a cup game against Bexhill United at the Beacon in a fortnights time.
