Strong Robins denied a final as Alfold spring a League Cup surprise
An excellent season for Hassocks Under 23s ended in disappointing fashion as the curtain came down on 2021-22 with defeat in the semi finals of the League Cup.
Having eliminated Southern Combination North Division champions Broadbridge Heath on penalties in the last eight, the Robins would have fancied their chances of progressing to the final when paired with Alfold.
Their opponents ended the campaign in fourth, two places and seven points behind Hassocks in the standings. Knockout football often deviates from league form though.
Just as the Robins had shocked Heath in the previous round, so this time they were on the end of the surprise result.
Alfold ran out deserved 2-1 winners at the neutral venue of Heath’s High Wood Hill Sports Ground. They now go onto face the winners of an Eastbourne derby in the other semi, where Town taking United.
Hassocks took advantage of the game falling in the middle of a two-week break between first team fixtures to name about as strong a team as they could.
There were six changes to the starting XI from the Heath game. In came Josh Short, Alfie Loversidge, Dan Turner, Lewis Westlake, Arthur Rawlingson and Charlie Broad. Despite all six being regulars in Brad Sweetman’s senior side, only Westake counted as an overage player.
Dropping out were Jack Smith, Wes Tighe, Marshall Smith, Jordan Badger, Lucas Tyrrell and Archie Russell. The four survivors were Under 18s goalkeeper Jayden Dunkley, Ben Hicks, Luke Marshall and Jack Baden.
Playing football was challenging on a difficult pitch that had all the bobbles you tend to expect from an end-of-season surface after a particularly dry winter.
Good first touches were at a premium in the opening quarter of an hour until Short produced an outrageous piece of control as if his foot was made of the finest silk. Unfortunately, the finish could not match and he dragged wide when in a good position.
That miss was punished nine minutes later. A long ball over the top caught out Rawlingson and Charlie Martin took full advantage to beat Dunkley and put Alfold 1-0 ahead.
Alfold did not look particularly comfortable dealing with the aerial threat posed by Hassocks. Broad put a free header over before Turner levelled the tie on 44 minutes, powering home from another cross into the box.
For unknown reasons, the goal sparked an almighty melee. Nobody seemed entirely sure what had happened, but Marshall came out of it with a booking for his troubles and the Alfold goalkeeper produced some theatrics worthy of Leonardo Di Caprio.
Despite how late in the first half the equaliser arrived, there was still time for more action to be packed in prior to the break thanks to a healthy amount of time added on due to the handbags at dawn.
Loversidge slipped in Baden for a right footed chance but a combination of bobble and, well, Baden having to use his right foot meant it was scuffed harmlessly off target.
Hassocks made a triple sub at half time to become even stronger – on paper at least. Broad, Bull and Rawlingson went off after quite the shift from all three with Sam Smith, first team captain Jack Troak and first team vice captain Bradley Tighe entering the fray.
Sadly, the second 45 minutes was one of the worst halves of football seen from a Hassocks Under 23s side this season.
With 25 minutes left to play, Martin scored his second of the evening to put Alfold back into the lead after a defensive shambles from the Robins.
Hassocks barely threatened an equaliser and come the full time whistle, nobody could have any complaints about Alfold advancing to their first ever League Cup final.
The Robins though can take heart from their campaign overall. Runners up spot represented their highest finish since the 2018-19 campaign and the flow of players between Under 23s and first team has been to the benefit of the entire club.
With most of the side’s regulars still eligible for Under 23s football next season, Hassocks will be hoping to go one better and win their first piece of silverware at this level since it was introduced in place of reserve team football in 2015.
Hassocks: Jayden Dunkley, Arthur Rawlingson, Ben Hicks, Jack Baden, Dan Turner, Luke Marshall, Alfie Loversidge, Lewis Westlake, Josh Short, Charlie Broad, Joel Bull.
Subs: Jack Troak, Bradley Tighe, Sam Smith, Harvey Ransome (used), George Mercer (unused).
