Two goal deficits not a problem as Hassocks comeback once again
Hassocks Under 23s are getting rather good at this coming from two goals behind thing. A week after turning around a 2-0 half time deficit to draw 2-2 with Southern Combination League North Division leaders Broadbridge Heath, the Robins went one better by beating Horsham YMCA after again recovering from the same situation.
Not only that, but the result took Hassocks top of the table for the first time since October thanks to Heath being held 1-1 at home by Roffey.
It would still take something of a miracle for the Robins to win their first Under 23 title, mind. Despite it not even being the end of January yet, Hassocks play their final league game of the season next Thursday night away at St Francis Rangers.
The Robins currently lead Heath by one point but the Bears have three matches left to play, giving them an extra two fixtures in hand with which to overhaul Hassocks.
Visitors YM had been one of the most dominant Under 23 sides in recent years. They won the North Division the last time a season was played to a finish in 2018-19, pipping Hassocks to the title. That incidentally was the most recent campaign in which the Robins themselves were involved in the race.
YM also led the way in both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns at the point they were curtailed, suggesting that they would have added further silverware to the Gorings Mead cabinet had those seasons been completed.
They have a younger side this season however made up of mainly teenagers and that has left them lower down the standings but with a bright long-term future.
Eight of YM’s squad that travelled to the Beacon came from their Under 18s side and five of those were 16-year-olds.
That is not to say that they lack quality. Hassocks knew only too well what they would be up against, YM being the only side the Robins failed to beat in an opening seven fixtures to the season which yielded six wins and a 1-1 draw away in Horsham.
Hassocks gave full debuts to two players in amongst five changes from the previous week’s top-of-the-table stalemate with the Bears.
Charlie Broad made his first start since arriving from Loxwood and Jamie Douglass from the Under 18s was rewarded for an excellent season in the youth team and a promising cameo as a substitute against Broadbridge Heath.
Archie Russell was promoted from the bench to lead the line, Arthur Rawlingson returned from an injury picked up in the first team’s Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup win over Crawley Down Gatwick nine days ago, and the final change saw Ryan West take over in goal from Harvey Parker.
Ben Hicks missed his first Under 23s game of the season with the other absentees from the Heath draw being Connor Bradley, Phil Gault and George Mercer, who somehow injured himself hopping over the perimeter barrier to collect a ball last week.
What made this latest comeback particularly impressive was that it was done with a threadbare squad, including only three substitutes. Even head coach Brad Sweetman was able to justify giving himself some minutes from the bench.
Hassocks seemed to be caught cold at the start of an absolutely freezing evening at the Beacon as YM sauntered into their two goal lead.
Both came from one of those 16-year-olds, Stan Berry notching in the fourth and 15th minute to leave the Robins with a mountain to climb.
Thankfully, they have become rather adept at doing that in the new year. Rawlingson pulled one back from the penalty spot within a couple of minutes of Berry doubling YM’s advantage.
It was then over to Broad to become the hero. He opened his Hassocks account with the equaliser on 25 minutes before going onto hit the winner which keeps the Robins’ slim title hopes alive – just.
Hassocks: Ryan West, Arthur Rawlingson, Luke Marshall, Jack Smith, Harvey Ransome, Jude Wallis, Jamie Douglass, Charlie Broad, Archie Russell, Marshall Smith, Joe Bull.
Subs: Jay Hudson, Sean McSwiney, Brad Sweetman (used).
