Battling Hassocks Under 23s kept their Southern Combination League West Division title hopes alive with a 3-2 win over a plucky Southwick side.
For 75 minutes, it looked like this would be another frustrating evening for the Robins. Two weeks previously, they’d dropped points in a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Broadbridge Heath and it looked like a repeat would be on the cards against the Wickers.
That was until James Littlejohn struck with a quarter of an hour remaining to earn Nigel Pearce’s side three big points which keeps them two points behind leaders Horsham YMCA with a game in hand.
This represented the second time this season that Littlejohn has broken Southwick hearts late on. Back in September, Jakob Ross’ 40th minute strike looked like it would be enough to give the hosts victory at Old Barn Way until Littlejohn struck with two goals in the final eight minutes to turn the game on its head.
It wasn’t quite as dramatic this time around, but even so the Wickers can count themselves desperately unlucky not to have picked up at least a point from Hassocks to go with their draws against YM and third placed East Preston.
Pearce made four changes from his side’s stalemate with the Bears a fortnight ago. First team full back Harvey Blake made his first appearance for the Under 23s as he continues his return from injury, coming in for Louie Derham.
Joe Russell replaced Steve Bright whilst perhaps most important of all, Pearce could call upon the services of Littlejohn and Max Willcox – a strike force who have plundered 31 goals together – in place of Will Glenn and Jake Lindsey.
Ross had proven to be a real thorn in Hassocks’ side in that previous meeting at Old Barn Way and it didn’t take him long to begin tormenting the Robins again, giving Southwick the lead inside of 15 minutes.
Hassocks huffed and puffed after that and they eventually equalised eight minutes before the break, Willcox marking his return to the starting line up with his 13th goal of the campaign.
Connor Bradley put Hassocks into the lead for the first time just past the hour mark but it was short lived, that man Ross levelling things up less than five minutes later.
That set the stage for Littlejohn’s late winner, the striker bringing up 20 goals for the campaign and ensuring that Hassocks remain well in the title race with Pearce also handing a debut to Harvey Ransome, an impressive performer throughout his first season with the Under 18s so far.
Hassocks: Josh Green, Harvey Blake, Kieran Wells, James Oliver, Joe Russell, Ellis Common, Connor Bradley, Harvey Enticknap, Tristan Hayes, Max Willcox, James Littlejohn.
Subs: Max Donaldson, Harvey Ransome (used).
