There may have only been three games involving Hassocks sides in May, but they were all important as both the Under 23s and Under 18s secured runners up spots in their leagues.
The Under 23s needed just one point from their final two games to finish second behind champions Horsham YMCA and they got that from Arundel’s visit to the Beacon in the penultimate game of the season.
James Littlejohn’s 23rd goal of the season was enough to earn the Robins a 1-1 draw with a Mullets outfit who had beaten them 4-0 just a month previously.
Nigel Pearce’s side still had one fixture to go after that with East Preston the visitors but it wasn’t a good evening for the Robins as they went down 1-0.
The Under 18s meanwhile signed off for the campaign with a seven goal thriller against Upper Beeding in the Southern Combination League Under 18 Central Division second place play off.
This unusual scenario came about due to the league decreeing that positions can’t be decided by goal difference. With Steyning Town, Upper Beeding and the Robins all finished the regular season on 31 points, that meant that a play off situation was required to decide who receives the runners up medals.
Steyning unfortunately had to pull out as they were unable to guarantee being able to field a side for two additional games at such late notice, leaving Hassocks and Beeding to face off.
All looked to be going well for the Robins as they led 2-0 approaching half time thanks to goals from Finlay McDermott and Yayha Azizi, only for Beeding to pull one back just before the interval.
That led to a complete momentum switch for the second half and it wasn’t long before the visitors levelled things up by making it 2-2.
Hassocks dug deep though and Brad Sweetman’s side showed great character to come roaring back, Alfie Loveridge putting them into a 3-2 lead which they held right up until the death when Beeding again showed they don’t know when they are beaten by equalising with minutes to spare.
That sent the tie into extra time and despite the addition of an energy sapping extra 30 minutes, both sides continued to go hammer and tongs at each other until Loveridge notched his second and Hassocks’ fourth of the evening.
Given Beeding’s penchant for launching late comebacks, nobody in red was breathing easily until the final whistle blew to confirm a 4-3 victory for the Robins and their place as Central Division runners up.
That brought the curtain down on an excellent campaign for the Robins. The Under 23s and Under 18s runners up spots were complimented by the first team achieving their highest finishing position for five years whilst the Ladies were the toast of the Beacon, winning a league and cup double.
Martin Lee’s side achieved their title without losing a single game and by conceding only three times along the way, the undoubted highlight of a memorable season for Hassocks.
