BEEBEE GOAL NOT ENOUGH AS ROBINS ARE BEATEN BY BEARS
The new decade is proving to be a difficult one for Hassocks Under 18s so far as the Young Robins lost for the second time since 2019 gave way to 2020.
After the previous Sunday’s 4-2 defeat against local rivals Burgess Hill Town in a Mid Sussex Derby that didn’t go to plan for Hassocks, Brad Sweetman’s side made the trip to Broadbridge Heath.
This was the Under 18s first visit to Heath’s new High Wood Hill Sports Ground and they won’t be in any hurry to rush back following a 3-1 defeat against a good Bears outfit who were out for revenge following a 4-2 defeat in the first fixture between the sides six weeks ago.
Hassocks were good value for their win that day which came thanks to goals from Harrison Lees, Alfie Loversidge, Oliver Charlesworth and Yahya Azizi.
Thomas Edevane and Leo Anderson replied for Heath with Anderson in particular proving to be a real handful – as he would again here in fact.
Sweetman made three changes from the side who’d lost to the Hillians a week earlier, one enforced and two out of choice.
Luke Marshall missed out through suspension after picking up two yellow cards against Hill while both goalkeeper Toby Fisher and striker Azizi were rested with places on the bench, denying Azizi the chance to score against the Bears for the second time this season.
Into the starting line up came Harry Meredith, Jaden Dunkley and Lewis Beebee – himself returning from a three game ban after a red card picked up in Hassocks’ Sussex Blue Dennis Probee Youth Cup defeat to Burgess Hill.
Beebee marked his return with the Robins goal but that was as good as it got for Hassocks. Anderson underlined his talent by scoring two of the goals for Heath with Toby Shepheard the other home scorer.
Hassocks did at least give referee Jason Storrie a quieter morning than recent match officials have received from games involving the Robins.
After a combined total of six yellow cards were flashed in the previous game with the Hillians, only Jack Gardner of Hassocks and Heath’s Alfie Goddard found their way into the book this week.
The Robins will have a bit of a wait before they can attempt to bounce back from this defeat. They had been due to face Southwick next Sunday, but the Wickers have withdrawn from the league after a chastening start to the season in which they propped up the table having lost six games out of six, including a 13-0 loss at the hands of Hassocks back in October.
As a result, it will be a fortnight until the Robins kick a competitive ball again. That’s when they make the trip to Middle Road to face a Shoreham side who have taken over bottom spot from the departed Wickers.
The trip to Shoreham will represent the start of the second half of the season for Hassocks, who have now played 50% of their fixtures.
They are now seven points behind leaders St Francis Rangers, meaning it will be a tall order for the Robins to lift their sixth Central Division title come the end of the campaign.
Hassocks: Jayden Dunkley, Harry Meredith, Charlie Jones, Alex Crawford, Oliver Charlesworth, Jack Gardner, Lewis Reep, Harrison Lees, Alfie Loversidge, Finlay McDermott, Lewis Beebee.
Subs: Yahya Azizi, Toby Fisher (used).
