Derby day delight for Hassocks as they hammer local rivals Hill
After an enforced three week break without a game, Hassocks Under 18s returned to action and in some style with a 4-0 Mid Sussex Derby win over Burgess Hill Town.
The 21 days off came at a good time for the Young Robins, allowing them to regroup after three games without a victory.
Hassocks had been well beaten 4-2 in their last Southern Combination League Central Division outing against Montpelier Villa.
That came a week after a 5-0 Sussex Dennis Probee Under 18 Cup exit at the hands of Conference South side Eastbourne Borough and a 1-1 draw with the other Mid Sussex outfit in the section, St Francis Rangers.
One of Hassocks’ blank weeks was due to the withdrawal of Upper Beeding, leaving only eight teams in the Central Division.
Having played eight games, the Robins are now exactly halfway through their league season. Already there is talk of a third round of matches or a Supplementary Shield competition to fill the void should it be a dry winter as at current rate, the campaign could be completed by the end of January.
This was the second meeting between Hassocks and Burgess Hill. The first had seen the sides share 10 goals in a thrilling 5-5 draw back in September, Hill becoming the first side to take a point off Hassocks who topped the table at the time.
The Robins continue to lead the way two months later but their vanquishes last time out Villa are one of several sides lurking just below with games in hand.
Hassocks therefore needed a victory against the Hillians to keep the chasing pack at arms reach for now. To pick up the three points and do so in such a comfortable manner was to the Robins’ credit, even if Hill only had 11 players available.
In contrast, Neil Parker and Glen Geard had a 16 man squad to choose from. They opted to make only one change from the Villa defeat, Archie Hill stepping up from the bench to take the place of top scorer Oliver Parker-Williams who had to settle for a place amongst the substitutes.
The final score shows that Hassocks did not miss their leading marksman, largely because of the recent form of Archie Russell.
Having scored the consolation goal for the Under 23s in their Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup exit to Eastbourne Town on Thursday night, Russell helped himself to brace against the Hillians. The other Hassocks scorers were Sam Geard and Max Beston, with Beston’s goal being his first in Hassocks colours.
Next up for Hassocks is a trip to Worthing United, opponents they have not faced at Under 18s level for many years. The Mavericks will provide another stern test as one of those clubs alongside Montpelier Villa in the chasing pack.
Hassocks: Jayden Dunkley, Dan Llwellyn, Harry Bundy, Jamie Douglass, Max Beston, Dan Lade, Sam Geard, Beau Howard, Ismaila Housainou Njai, Archie Hill, Archie Russell.
Subs: Oliver Parker-Williams, Jack Thomas, Josh Trinick, Alfie Beck, Muhammad Wilson (used).
