Hassocks unable to halt table topping Villa’s unbeaten season
Hassocks Under 18s were unable to become the first side to defeat Southern Combination League Central Division leaders Montpelier Villa this season.
The Robins gave it a good go, but they were ultimately on the end of a 2-1 defeat at Culver Road that leaves them nine points behind Villa with only three league matches left to play.
A small division coupled with a dry autumn means that the season is looking likely to be done and dusted by the end of January for most clubs.
As a result, teams playing each other three times is one of the options under consideration to extend the campaign, giving Hassocks hope that they could yet trouble Villa at the top of the table by the end of the campaign.
Should that not be the case however and the league opt for another plan like reintroducing the Supplementary Shield that was played once lockdown was lifted last Spring, then Hassocks are set for a mid table finish.
2021-22 is proving to be one of the most competitive Central Divisions for some time with every team capable of taking points from each other – as evidenced by Hassocks starting the campaign unbeaten in six before suffering five defeats from their six.
This latest loss was Hassocks’ fourth in a row. It did at least offer an improvement on the previous Sunday’s 2-0 Mid Sussex Derby defeat away at St Francis Rangers as the Robins were within one goal of a side who are yet to lose so far in 2021-22.
Hassocks were again without their leading scorer Sam Geard for the second game running. Three changes were made from the Rangers match.
Jayden Dunkley returned in goal and Harry Bundy and Alfie Beck were promoted from the bench. Dropping out were Jack Thomas, Harry Carter and Daniel Lade.
The Hassocks goal came from Oliver Parker-Williams, notching for the first time since the start of October to close to within one of Sam Geard in the Robins scoring charts.
Hassocks manged to keep Villa top scorer Jack Smart quiet but they could not stop his fellow attacker Charlie Maywood who grabbed both the goals for the hosts.
The Robins will be hoping to return to winning ways next Sunday at home to Worthing United, the side who have completed the least fixtures of anyone in the Central Division so far with eight games played.
It was a 2-1 defeat at the Robert Albon Memorial Ground at the start of November which started Hassocks’ current losing run, so what better opponents for the Robins to reignite their season against then the Mavericks.
Hassocks: Jayden Dunkley, Dan Llewellyn, Harry Bundy, Jamie Douglass, Max Beston, Alfie Beck, Ismaila Housainou Njai, Beau Howard, Oliver Parker-Williams, Archie Hill, Archie Russell.
Subs: Harry Carter, Muhammad Wilson, Joe Holland, Jack Thomas (used).
