ROBINS LEAVE IT LATE TO SPOIL THE BEARS BIG DAY
It was an historic occasion for Broadbridge Heath Under 23s as they played their first game at their new High Wood Hill Sports Ground.
But Hassocks seemingly hadn’t read the script as they spoilt the party, coming from behind to win 2-1 and get their season up and running.
A week ago, the Robins had suffered defeat in their opening game as they went down 2-1 at home to West Division newcomers Oakwood.
While that fixture was taking place at the Beacon, Heath were busy securing a hugely impressive 1-0 win in a local derby away at reigning champions Horsham YMCA.
Despite that result against the Oaks, Hassocks’ performance had been a good one – especially with Dave John handing Under 23 debuts to eight players in his starting 11 and another two from the bench.
John made two changes from the defeat to Oakwood, one by choice and one enforced. The first of those saw Ben O’Leary – John’s captain when the Under 18s completed their historic treble in 2018 – make his first start of the season at the expense of Matt Denyer who dropped to the bench.
Nick Pitcher’s injury picked up in the first team’s 2-1 defeat to early Premier Division leaders Lancing on Monday morning ruled him out with Thomas Jupp coming in for his full debut as a result.
Pitcher’s absence also meant that Hassocks didn’t field any of their permitted players over the age of 23. In fact Joe Russell was the only one of the Robins’ squad over the age of 19, making it the youngest side they’ve fielded since the advent of Under 21 football in 2015.
Pitcher wasn’t the only injury concern following Monday either. Dan Turner had also started against Lancing before a knee problem brought a premature end to his first team debut as he hobbled out of the action at half time. Thankfully for Hassocks, Turner had recovered sufficiently to start here at the heart of the Robins defence.
It was Heath who went into half time with the lead, Kyle Sim opening the scoring for the hosts and it stayed at 1-0 right up until the 75th minute.
John had thrown on Jake Atherton for his first Under 23s appearance for two years by that point and it was Atherton who levelled things up to set up a tense final 15 minutes.
Heath looked a little rattle by that equaliser and it wasn’t long before Hassocks had what proved to be the winner. It came just five minutes after Atherton’s equaliser and was scored by Joe Bull, his first goal in Hassocks colours and a timely one at that as he pushes for a spot in the first team.
Hassocks were largely untroubled after Bull’s strike and they saw the game out comfortably for a first three points of the season.
With next week’s scheduled game against early leaders Pagham postponed, Hassocks will now wait two weeks until their next fixture – an equally difficult assignment away at a YMCA side who beat the Robins to the title last season.
Hassocks: James Earl, Joe Tatford, Dan Turner, Thomas Jupp, Ben O’Leary, Solly Ross, Jack Gardner, Kieran Dimelow, Joe Russell, Joe Bull, George Galbraith-Gibbons.
Subs: Jake Atherton, Matt Denyer, Alfie Loversidge.
