SELSEY SINK HASSOCKS’ UNBEATEN RECORD
The only remaining unbeaten record in the Southern Combination League Under 23 West Division was surrendered at the Bunn Leisure Stadium as Hassocks Under 23s went down 1-0 at Selsey.
Nigel Pearce’s side made the long journey west as unbeaten league leaders. They remain top of the pile, one point clear of Horsham YMCA but having played a game more. More significantly perhaps, there is now a one in the losses column.
This was the Blues first victory of the season although you shouldn’t read too much into that. Their three defeats had all been by a single goal, which tells you every you need to know about the competitiveness of the division.
The scheduling of this game for Friday night proved slightly problematic for Pearce as it robbed him of three players.
Captain Ellis Common, top scorer James Littlejohn and young striker Jake Lindsey were all required for the first team in their clash with Crawley Down Gatwick less than 24 hours later, and that necessitated several changes to the Robins line up from the side that beat Mile Oak 4-2 last time out.
Into the starting line up came Kieran Wells, Will Glenn, Martin Ratcliffe and Kieran Dimelowe. Out were the aforementioned Common and Littlejohn as well as Harvey Enticknap and James Oliver who were both rested.
The only goal of the game arrived quite early, Josh Hall’s strike in the 13th meeting past Josh Green deciding the tie in the favour of the hosts.
Despite plenty of honest huffing and puffing, Hassocks couldn’t blow down the door to Lee Newell’s goal and as such they drew a blank in the league for the first time since the opening day of the 2015-16 season and only the second ever time in Under 23 football.
The Robins will have to wait a couple of weeks to get back on track in the league. Their next fixture takes place in the County Cup against Hailsham Town from the East Division on Thursday night at the Beacon.
Kick off in that one is at 7.45pm.
Hassocks: Josh Green, Jake Lane, Kieran Wells, Louie Derham, Ben Jonas, Joe Russell, Connor Bradley, Will Glenn, Martin Ratcliffe, Max Willcox, Kieran Dimelowe.
Subs: James Oliver, Harvey Enticknap, Steve Bright (used).
