Robins flying at top of table after cutting down Oaks
Last season, Hassocks Under 23s played seven North Division matches before the season was curtailed at the end of December, collecting seven points.
The Robins have already matched that total in 2021-22 with only three Southern Combination League fixtures completed and September being only one day old.
Tinsley Lane was the venue for their latest victory, a 2-0 success over Oakwood which left Hassocks top of the admittedly very-early league table.
Nobody at the Beacon will be getting carried away of course, especially as Hassocks’ other two fixtures have come against Horsham YMCA and Crowborough who although strong last season, remain winless so far.
You can only beat what is in front of you, however. And against Oakwood, Hassocks achieved that – and kept a clean sheet – without a recognised goalkeeper in their ranks, making this three points all the more impressive.
With Jayden Dunkley away, it fell to head coach Brad Sweetman to don the gloves. Sweetman played in goal in a pre-season friendly in the summer, but he would be the first to admit that this was very much an emergency measure.
On this occasion, it worked – but do not expect Sweetman to be selecting himself between the posts for the Robins’ first team anytime soon!
There were four other changes aside from the identity of the Hassocks goalkeeper from the team who had drawn away at YM six days previously.
Jordan Badger continued to get minutes under his belt following his decision to return to football, making his first start at any competitive level since the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
Also coming into the side were Harvey Ransome, Kobe Dersley, Jay Hudson – who scored all four of the Hassocks goals in his previous appearance against Crowborough – and debutant Josh Novis, dual-signed from Mid Sussex Premier Division outfit Cuckfield Rangers.
Zac Kladdis dropped down to the bench with Tom Jupp, Lexx Lucas and Louis Duckering absent completely. Luke Marshall meanwhile was rested following a heavy recent schedule of senior and Under 23s football.
Hudson continued where he had left off against the Crowborough, scoring his fifth goal of the season. That along with an own goal was enough to secure Hassocks their three points, extending their perfect record in Under 23 football at Tinsley Lane to three victories from three visits.
Hassocks now have eight days off before facing a stern test away at Steyning Town next Thursday night at the Shooting Field.
The Barrowmen’s side is made up of many of the Under 18s who eliminated Hassocks’ youth team from the Supplementary Shield back in May via a chastening 7-1 semi final defeat.
Steyning went onto lift the trophy a week later, leaving the Robins under no illusion of the task they face in attempting to maintain their excellent start to the new season.
Hassocks: Brad Sweetman, Kobe Dersley, Jordan Badger, Jack Baden, Harvey Ransome, Josh Novis, Sean McSwiney, Jude Wallis, Ben Hicks, Archie Russell, Jay Hudson.
Subs: Wes Tighe, Louis Thwaites, George Mercer, Zac Kladis (used).
