Alfie an easy winner of the Robins’ latest Player of the Month poll
In August, he was the bridesmaid. In September, he is the bride. Alfie Loversidge has been named as Hassocks September 2021 Player of the Month after being one of the shining lights of a difficult five matches for the Robins.
Hassocks lost every game in September but performances were much improved as the month went on, largely because of the efforts of Loversidge.
The teenager found himself pushed into a more advanced role following the departure of George Mitchell-Phillips to Saltdean United than the central midfield position he had occupied in August, when he finished runner up to Connor Bradley in the supporters’ vote.
That has proven to be a shrewd move on the part of head coach Brad Sweetman. Loversidge caused Southern Combination Premier Division leaders Littlehampton Town plenty of problems at the Flora Sportsfield in what was one of the tightest games that the Gold have been involved in so far this season before the hosts ran out 4-2 winners.
He then did likewise when Combined Counties Premier Division leaders Beckenham Town came to the Beacon in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase.
Hassocks only lost that 2-1 despite Becks being table toppers in a much stronger league than the Southern Combination.
Loversidge claimed an assist for the Robins consolation, swinging over a pinpoint corner for strike partner Joe Bull to head home.
Hassocks vice captain Bradley Tighe took second place in the vote. Tighe has found himself assuming more of a leadership role this season as one of the more experienced players in such a young squad and his performances as part of an improving defence have not gone unnoticed.
September was also the first time that Brad had shared a pitch in senior football with his younger brother Wes, the two playing together Little Common came to the Beacon.
The touching message posted on social media by Brad afterwards saying their grandad would have been proud served as a reminder that whilst results may not be going Hassocks’ way currently, they remain a family club.
For the second month running, Josh Short found himself finishing in third place after managing to hold off the challenge of goalkeeper Alex Harris by just 2.4 percent.
Short has been consistently excellent throughout the campaign so far, establishing himself as one of the first names on Sweetman’s team sheet in the midfield engine room.
