ANOTHER HASSOCKS SIDE CRASH OUT OF ANOTHER COUNTY CUP
For the second time in the space of 48 hours, a Hassocks side exited a County Cup competition in disappointing circumstances.
On Tuesday night, the Robins first team crashed out of the Sussex Senior Cup with a 3-0 defeat away at Division One opponents Midhurst & Easebourne.
Hassocks made seven changes for that trip to the Rotherfield. Resting so many players suggested that the Robins cared little for a competition they were hardly likely to win.
The Under 23s took a different approach to their Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup fixture with West Division opponents East Preston, naming as strong a side as possible with the aim of repeating the previous season’s memorable run to the quarter finals.
Unfortunately, the final outcome was no different to the senior squad’s experience two days earlier as Hassocks were beaten 2-0 in front of a crowd of 82, a huge attendance for development football.
The Robins selected four of the players who had turned out for the first team against Midhurst in their starting XI. Goalkeeper Jayden Dunkley started in goal, Ben O’Leary and Joe Bull had both completed the full 90 minutes at the Rotherfield whilst Ben Hicks had been handed his senior debut as a second half substitute.
The most intriguing selection however saw the Robins’ record scorer Phil Gault lead the line as he continues his return from an injury picked up over a month ago in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round win at Balham.
EP’s own selection suggested a side who were eagerly keen to make progress in the competition as the visitors arrived at the Beacon with several players who have been on the cusp of the first team at the Lashmar in their ranks.
Daegan Walsh and Morgan Walsh started whilst Cameron Lineham – who has captained EP on occasion this season – was among the substitutes. In the end, it was EP’s quality that shone though as they scored one goal per half to set up a second round tie with AFC Uckfield Town.
Harry Margeson opened the scoring with 33 minutes on the clock and it was Lineham who added the second just past the hour mark following his entry to the game at half time.
Hassocks: Jayden Dunkley, Luke Marshall, Ben O’Leary, Tom Jupp, Marshall Smith, Connor Bradley, Ben Hicks, Jamie Wilkes, Joe Bull, George Galbraith-Gibbons, Phil Gault.
Subs: Lewis Beebee, Alex Crawford, George Mercer, Brad Sweetman (used).
