There will be six local derbies for Hassocks Under 18s to look forward to in the 2019-20 season and they kicked off the campaign with such an occasion away at St Francis Rangers.
Unfortunately for Brad Sweetman’s side, the morning ended in a 3-1 defeat at Colwell Road although there was much to be pleased with after a decent showing against quality opponents.
This remains a young Hassocks side and they were up against impressive opponents who had opened their season by beating reigning champions Haywards Heath Town 4-1 at Hanbury Park a week previously.
The impressiveness of that result was hammered home as while this game was going, Heath were busy getting their title defence up and running by hitting nine goals past Shoreham. Based on that then, you’d expect Rangers to be there or there abouts come the end of the season.
As for Hassocks, there have been a fair few personnel changes over the summer to the side that won a play off final to secure runners up spot last time out.
The Robins had actually finished in fourth place in the Central Division, but level on points with Steyning Town and Upper Beeding.
A strange rule put in place by the Southern Combination League meant that goal difference could not decide who claimed the medals for second place and so a round robin was set up between the three.
Steyning were unable to participate due to the late notice of an extra two games coming bang in A Level exam time and so it was a straight shoot out between Hassocks and Beeding, which the Robins won 4-3 in extra time.
Sweetman has retained the services of all his goal scorers from that night with Finlay McDermott, Alfie Loversidge and Yahya Azizi all signed up at the Beacon for the new campaign.
Toby Fisher remains in goal while the Robins also managed to hold onto Jack Gardner; Fisher having already made his first team debut with Gardner having made the bench.
Alex Crawford and Luke Marshall made only a handful of appearances last season but started against Rangers while three new faces completed the starting line up as Oliver Charlesworth, Charlie Jones and Harrison Lees all made full debuts.
There were also first appearances for the club for three players from the bench. Freddie Gamblin, Lewis Reep and Guy Underwood all played their parts as the Robins sought to turn the game around in the second half.
None could quite match the impact of Rangers substitute Joe Marchant however. Marchant was introduced to the action early, replacing Dylan Little after just half an hour and it was his two goals from the bench which effectively sealed the tie for the hosts.
Lees had earlier been on target for the Robins in the 35th minute with the other Rangers goal coming from Callum Ward.
Hassocks are next in action on Sunday 15th September when they play their first home game of the season at the Beacon. Shoreham are the visitors who will no doubt be smarting from that hammering at the hands of Heath.
Entrance is free and kick off is at 11am.
Hassocks: Toby Fisher, Lewis Beebee, Oliver Charlesworth, Luke Marshall, Charlie Jones, Alex Crawford, Jack Gardner, Harrison Lees, Alfie Loversidge, Finlay McDermott, Yahya Azizi.
Subs: Freddie Gamblin, Lewis Reep, Guy Underwood.
