Robins hit four against Mullets to get first win of pre-season
Pre-season friendly number two saw Hassocks head to one of the most picturesque non-league grounds in the country. In the shadow of Arundel Castle, the Robins’ attacking play was almost as impressive as the scenery as four different scorers gave the visitors a 4-2 success over their Division One hosts.
Having conceded inside of 18 seconds in their opening pre-season friendly against Epsom & Ewell at the weekend, Hassocks started slightly better at Mill Road by managing to last 12 minutes before going 1-0 down.
Poor marking from a set piece left an Arundel player completely free in the box. He duly accepted the gift, heading past Alex Harris to give the Mullets the lead.
Hassocks regrouped quickly after that hair-raising start and it was not long before they levelled. High pressure from Sam Smith resulted in an Arundel centre half passing the ball straight to Pat Harding on the left side of the penalty area.
Super Pat did the rest, despatching the ball into the top corner to score Hassocks’ first goal of their friendly campaign.
That led to Hassocks taking control of proceedings for the next 15 minutes. Jack Troak smashed a volley off the crossbar and Harvey Blake came close on a couple of occasions after charging forward from right wing back.
James Westlake made five changes at half time and it did not take long for one of then to make an impact. The returning Liam Benson finished from a corner after cleverly peeling to the back post and waiting for the ball to drop.
Arundel were gifted an equaliser within a few minutes of the Robins taking the lead thanks to a mysterious penalty award by the referee.
Neither home nor away side seemed entirely sure what the decision was for, not that it mattered to the Mullets taker who scored despite Harris getting his fingers to it.
Troak put Hassocks back into the lead shortly after with a fine individual goal. Cutting in from the left flank, he coolly curled the ball into the far corner to make it 3-2.
Westlake made a further five substitutions as the second half progressed, meaning that 20 outfield players banked minutes. Despite all the changes and disruption, the Robins became more dominant as the game progressed towards its conclusion.
They were rewarded when Phil Johnson added the fourth late on, crashing an unstoppable shot off the underside of the bar following a fantastic delivery from Tom Frankland.
Hassocks: Alex Harris, Harvey Blake, Ryan Doyle, Jamie Wilkes, Sam Cash, Alex Bygraves, Leon Turner, Lewis Westlake, Sam Smith, Pat Harding, Jack Troak.
Subs: Charlie Tuck, Bradley Tighe, Mike Williamson, Alfie Loversidge, Liam Benson, Tom Frankland, Dan Turner, Connor Bradley, Joe Bull, Phil Johnson (all used).
