Temperature and fundraising records broken in 2022 Ann John Trophy
Records tumbled at the Beacon when Hassocks and Burgess Hill Town met in the 2022 Ann John Trophy. Temperatures climbed to levels never recorded in England before whilst the £1525 raised for St Peter & St James’ Hospice smashed the previous best total for this annual pre-season fixture between Mid Sussex’s two stellar clubs.
A 2-1 win for Hill saw the silverware go to the More Than Tyres Stadium for the fourth time in succession. The scoreline was though much closer than it has been in recent years, offering plenty of encouragement for what the upcoming Southern Combination League campaign might bring for the Robins under new head coach James Westlake.
Given the searing heat, it would have been understandable had the game been played at a leisurely pace. It was to both sides credit that they made it as frenetic and entertaining as possible, right from the first whistle.
Hill carved out the first few opportunities. Bradley Tighe had to block on the line from Martyn Box after a Lewis Finney air kick ended up being the perfect dummy to tee up the former Barnet man.
Box and Charlie Kelly were causing Hassocks real problems. They combined again to nearly open the scoring, Box crossing and Kelly nudging the ball with a lot of spin towards the goal. Luckily for the Robins, it hit the post.
Hassocks gradually came into the game as the first half wore on. Pat Harding had been afforded a superb reception by the travelling Hillian support on his first appearance against his former club since returning to the Beacon.
Those Hill fans might not have been so keen on their former forward had Harding threatened Will Huffer’s goal rather than miss-controlling when a long ball over the top set him clear.
The visitors lost Kelly to a head injury and Josh Spinks with a knee problem before the half was out. Not that the disruption seemed to matter as Jay Lovett’s side moved 1-0 ahead three minutes before the break.
It was an unusual goal for Hassocks to concede. Normally so strong in the air defending against long balls, the Robins were caught out by a massive punt 80 yards down the pitch from Huffer. A Hill trialist went around Ricardo Teixeira in the Hassocks goal to make it 1-0.
Lovett made wholesale changes at half time whereas Hassocks remained a little more settled. Hayden Skerry was denied by Teixiera shortly after the restart, a sprawling low save preventing the Hill wide man from doubling the advantage after cutting in from the flank.
Hassocks equalised on 54 minutes from the penalty spot. Jack Troak was the man to convert, his second successful penalty in the space of 72 hours and his fourth goal from four pre-season friendly fixtures so far.
Some much-needed rain arrived shortly after to cool things down, followed by an absolutely stunning sunset. The final 30 minutes of football matched the scenery, some beautiful stuff being placed with both sides fashioning opportunities to win it.
Teixeira made another fine stop with his feet to keep the scores level. The Robins broke from there and Harding found himself with another great chance.
A cross-shot from the left was both a little too hard for Troak to slide in and convert and a little too wide of the upright to nestle in the back of the net.
Tighe drew cheers when he made a fine clearance out towards the right touchline, grabbed a fans’ pint and took a swig of it before running back to position.
Hassocks were ending the game strongly, only to be undone by a combination of a blistering counter attack and a questionable piece of refereeing entering the last 15 minutes.
Hill turned over possession on the edge of their own box and within seconds, managed to release Skerry. Mike Williamson tangled with the rapid Skerry as be broke towards Teixeira at pace, leading the referee to conclude that a foul which took place a good five yards outside the area had actually occurred inside.
That gave Lewis Finney the chance to make it 2-1, which he duly took. Hassocks poured forwards after that in search of another equaliser but could find no way through as the highlight of pre-season in Mid Sussex football went the way of the visitors once again.
