The 2020 Ann John Memorial Trophy between Hassocks and Burgess Hill Town broke records with a massive £1500 being raised for St Peter & St James Hospice as the sides met at the Beacon in the first football played post-November lockdown.
Fans of both clubs turned out in force to support the annual charity game, taking place for the seventh time but moved from its normal summer spot because of grassroots football having to take place between closed doors during pre-season.
There could not have been a better time for the match to raise a record-breaking amount. Charities have suffered throughout the pandemic with donations falling as fundraising events became increasingly difficult to hold. That made this year’s fixture – arranged at short notice when a gap suddenly appeared – all the more important.
Both the Southern Combination League and Isthmian League seasons had been suspended since the start of November because of the latest lockdown. With Hassocks and Burgess Hill Town looking for match practice when the restrictions were lifted before they returned to the bread and butter of league football, an opportunity to get minutes under their players’ belts and help St Peter & St James arose.
In terms of what happened on the pitch, Hill were clearly the much happier side. Jay Lovett brought a very strong squad to the Beacon and ultimately, the 21 players he used proved too good for the Robins as they ran out 8-1 winners.
Despite the scoreline, it was Hassocks who had the first chance inside the opening five minutes when Charlie Pitcher saw an effort blocked by Josh Spinks.
Having survived that scare, Hill moved through the gears on a typically excellent playing surface. Former Hassocks favourite Pat Harding opened the scoring in the ninth minute when converting a Martyn Box cross and seven minutes later, Aaron Smith-Joseph added a second.
The travelling Hillians contingent were obviously excited about the return of Connor Tighe to the club and he marked his first appearance back in Hill colours with the third seconds later.
Samson Doherty earned and converted a penalty for the visitors’ fourth on 36 minutes with Tighe completing a brace when blazing home from close range to make it five.
There was still time for Hassocks to pull one back before half time, Pitcher being hauled to ground in the area to earn the Robins a penalty of their own which Jack Troak fired convincingly past Alfie Jones.
Hassocks were much improved in the second half as they managed to halt the flow of goals for half an hour, Hill having to wait until the last 15 minutes to notch their final three.
The Robins even managed to have a couple of chances of their own. Alfie Loversidge was a lively presence on his return from injury and he had the best of those, drawing a fine stop from the feet of Jones with an effort drilled through a crowd after working some space.
Another former Robin added Hill’s sixth when Nathan Copper poked home at the back post. Max Miller made it seven with the third penalty of the afternoon whilst Hill saved the best until last when Tom Chalaye curled a brilliant effort into the far corner to round off the scoring.
The result means that Hill retain the trophy for the third season running via the biggest winning margin in the match’s history so far. Most of important of all though was that £1500 figure. Everyone at Hassocks would like to say a massive thank you to Burgess Hill for helping get the game arranged and for those who gave so generously.
