Hassocks faced a tough run of fixtures though November 2019. They took on three of the Southern Combination League Premier Division’s title challengers in their five outings and although every fixture in the month was lost, only two were by more than a single goal.
That came in November’s opening match at home to Lancing in the second round of the Sussex Senior Cup. The Lancers were in clinical form at the Beacon, scoring four times with six chances to set up a plum third round meeting away at League Two Crawley Town.
Lewis Finney netted twice along with James Beresford and Tom Caplin. Hassocks did at least have the consolation of scoring the goal of the game when Dan Stokes’ controlled chip from 35 yards and way out on the right flew over the head of Matt Evans in the visitors’ goal.
Next up was a trip to Crawley Down Gatwick, opponents who Hassocks always seem to trade goals and entertainment with. This latest meeting at the Haven was no different as the Anvils squeaked a 3-2 victory.
Mark Dalgleish gave a debut to new signing Charlie Pugh in goal. A former University of Exeter student, Pugh was recommended to Dalgleish by Hassocks club legend Robbie Kitchen, scorer of 123 goals in 323 appearances.
Pugh pushed Dan Turner close for man-of-the-match, even after picking the ball out of the back of the net twice inside the first 30 minutes as Billy Wraight and Oliver Moore put Down in control.
There was a collector’s item just before half time as Andy Whittingham scored a rare goal, his first in Hassocks colours coming nine years and 80 games after he made his debut for the Robins back in 2010.
Five minutes after the restart and Jamie Hillwood made it 2-2 but parity lasted just seven minutes before Joe Holvey scored the winner with a brilliant individual effort.
Dalgleish was at least buoyed by the return from injury at the Haven of Phil Johnson, who had spent the previous three months on the side lines with a broken leg.
There were no positives to be taken three days later when AFC Uckfield Town won 4-0 at the Beacon. Liam Baitup scored twice, Bailo Camara once and to complete a thoroughly miserable evening, Hassocks put through their own net and had a penalty from Liam Benson saved by Phil Hawkins in the Oakmen goal.
Hassocks’ final game of November saw Newhaven come to Mid Sussex. Robbie Keith and Mo Diallo had Newhaven 2-0 ahead entering the final 10 minutes and the Dockers seemed to be sailing to victory.
Ben Bacon pulled one back for the Robins with six left to play, sparking a mad finish in which Ian Robinson made it 3-1 for Newhaven with Johnson ensuring there was just one goal in it at the final whistle as things finished 3-2.
The Under 23s enjoyed an excellent November, winning three games out of three. The first of those victories came in the Sussex Under 23 Cup, where Dave John’s side shocked reigning Southern Combination League Under 23 West Division champions Horsham YMCA in the second round, winning 4-3 in extra time at Gorings Mead.
John was able to call upon the services of Kieran Dimelow for a rare appearance and he marked the occasion with two goals. Turner notched a brace of his own as the Robins added another notable scalp to their County Cup run having eliminated Isthmian League side Three Bridges in the previous round.
Johnson’s bid for match fitness saw him turn out in the Under 23s other two games of the month. He notched a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Oakwood and a brace in the following week’s 6-1 win against Lancing.
Joe Bull and George Galbraith-Gibbons netted in both of those fixtures. Harvey Ransome and Max Donaldson were also on target against the Lancers, while that game saw a Turner penalty go viral after the centre back smashed the ball as hard as possible, miles over the bar and the bank at the west end of the Beacon. Turner’s spot kick was last seen rising towards Albourne.
The Ladies saw all of their scheduled fixtures in November rained off while the Under 18s played just once. It was a frustrating morning for Brad Sweetman’s side as they exited the Dennis Probee Sussex Youth Cup at the second round stage with a 3-0 defeat against local rivals Burgess Hill Town at the Green Elephants Stadium.
An excellent 6-1 win for the Under 23s against Lancing last night. Phil Johnson netted a brace as his return from a broken leg continues with Galbraith-Gibbons, Ransome, Donaldson & Bull also on target
Dan Turner was unlucky not to make it 7 in the final minute with this penalty pic.twitter.com/Q4cC58uYn1— Hassocks FC (@hassocksfc) November 29, 2019
