Westlake wins it for Hassocks on final day outing to Alfold
This has been a season of two halves for Hassocks. Their final Premier Division fixture of the campaign was in keeping with their improved form since the midway point as they won 1-0 away at Alfold to secure 16th spot in the table.
The target for the Robins as always was to preserve their cherished status as the top flight’s longest serving club. For much of the opening three months, that appeared under serious threat. Hassocks won three and drew four of their opening 19 games, earning only 13 points.
In contrast, they have lost just six matches in the second half of the season, winning six and drawing seven to finish nine points clear of the bottom two.
What makes the turnaround all the more remarkable is that Hassocks have played 12 of those 19 fixtures on the road. Most would have expected Hassocks to flounder with so many tough assignments away from the Beacon, and yet if anything they have flourished.
There is also the prospect of the Robins making it to the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup final for the first time in their history.
Newly crowned Southern Combination League champions Littlehampton Town visit Mid Sussex on Tuesday night in the semi final of the competition.
The Marigolds will be hot favourites having beaten Hassocks 6-2 earlier this month. It would be an almighty shock for the Robins to eliminate a side aiming to end the season with four trophies, but this young Hassocks squad have developed a habit for proving people wrong this season.
That resilience and belief is why Robins fans can look to the future with optimism, presuming of course Hassocks can keep the group together.
Add a striker this summer to supplement the likes of Jack Troak, Josh Short and Alfie Loversidge—all have scored regularly but none are out-and-out centre forwards – and eyes should be wandering up the table in 2022-23 rather than down.
Central to Hassocks’ improvement as the campaign has worn on was bringing the Westlake brothers back to the club.
The spine of the team looks so much stronger with them in the engine room and Lewis’ dead-ball specialism has seen him create and score a number of important goals in the battle against the drop.
It was his sixth of the season which decided the tie at Alfold Recreation Ground, a trademark free kick curled around the wall with 22 minutes on the clock.
Hassocks could be particularly pleased with their clean sheet, given that two of the backline who shutout a dangerous Crawley Down Gatwick attack on Easter Monday were absent.
Young Luke Marshall was excellent in filling the sizable boots of Dan Turner, who has been colossal in recent weeks at centre half.
Alfie Edmeads being rested to the bench necessitated a bit of a positional merry-go-round as Bradley Bant took over at left back, Joe Bull came into the side wide on the right and Loversidge moved central to play off Short.
A young Alfold outfit were keen to keep the ball and pass out from the back. Hassocks pressed at the right moments, stealing possession in key areas and looking dangerous on the counter.
Chances were at a premium in a fairly even contest until a driving run from Short was halted illegally front and centre of the Alfold goal, giving the Robins a free kick in a hugely promising position.
Westlake made the most of the opportunity, leaving home goalkeeper Josh Page routed to the spot as the ball crashed into the back of the net.
Alford had a great chance to equalise just before half time. Kelvin Lucas shifted the ball well inside the area, only for Alex Harris to make a smart save down to his right which ensured Hassocks went into the break 1-0 to the good.
The second half continued in much the same vein, the Robins managing to turn over possession and play on the break whilst a strong defensive showing meant they were rarely troubled at the other end.
Alfold managed to break through only once. Harris though was alert to come off his line and make a one-on-one block from Ben Beazley.
Hassocks saw their best opportunity after of the second half fall to Troak. He went galloping clear with only Page to beat, opting for an attempted chip which screwed disappointingly wide.
Hassocks: Alex Harris; Arthur Rawlingson, Luke Marshall, Bradley Tighe, Bradley Bant; Joe Bull, James Westlake, Lewis Westlake, Jack Troak; Alfie Loversidge, Josh Short.
Subs: Alfie Edmeads, Sam Smith (used)
