Entertainment aplenty but not points for Robins in 11 goal thriller
Anyone expecting Hassocks Under 18s and Worthing United to ease back into the swing of things in the first football played following the Christmas break was in for a rude awakening at the Beacon.
11 goals were scored in a ridiculous game of football which the Mavericks just about shaded 6-5. Such was the relentless entertainment on offer that it went unnoticed afterwards that this was the Robins’ ninth successive defeat in all competitions and sent them second from bottom of the Southern Combination League Central Division.
Despite it still being only January, Hassocks complete their league fixtures in two weeks time against Steyning Town.
There is a League Cup second round tie at Rustington next Sunday, but should the Robins suffer defeat from their long journey west then their campaign will be over before we even reached Valentine’s Day.
The Under 23s are of course in a similar boat and there remains the probability that some sort of Supplementary Shield competition similar to the ones brought in when lockdown was lifted last April may provide further football over the next few months.
Those who turn out to watch the Young Robins will hope that if there are more matches to be played, they will be as enthralling as this one.
Hassocks made two changes from the side who had been beaten by bottom club AFC Varndeanians in their last fixture of 2021.
Jamie Douglass returned fresh from making his Under 23s debut as a substitute in the 2-2 draw with North Division leaders Broadbridge Heath on Thursday night. Also coming into the side was Muhammad Wilson. The two dropping out were Joe Holland and Jack Thomas.
Hassocks had five different players find the back of the net. Sam Geard and Oliver Parker-Williams both moved onto eight for the season.
At the other end of the scale, Wilson scored his first for the Robins, Beau Howard notched and Alfie Beck claimed one from the bench. Hassocks also managed to score for United, putting an own goal through their net.
George Hemming scored in the fifth and 51st minutes for the Mavericks. The most bruising period for Hassocks came in six minutes midway through the second half.
Nathan Williams found the back of the net on 70, Matthew Holden on 75 and then Williams again on 76 as United took the game away from the Robins to boost their own hopes of claiming the runners up spot.
Hassocks could still finish as high as fourth. They would need to beat Steyning in a fortnight’s time and then hope a lot of other results go their way.
That is not entirely out of the question in a division which has been congested all year bar Montpelier Villa, who have run away with things since the end of October.
Hassocks: Jayden Dunkley, Muhammad Wilson, Archie Hill, Jamie Douglass, Max Beston, Sam Geard, Harry Carter, Beau Howard, Oliver Parker-Williams, Charlie Smith, Archie Russell.
Subs: Alfie Beck, Jack Thomas, Joe Woodhouse, Keegan Croydon-Elkins.
