Debutant Reid gives Hassocks perfect start at the Theatre of Trees
A win. A clean sheet. A debutant goal. Hassocks Under 23s got their Southern Combination League North Division season underway in solid fashion with a 1-0 victory away at Roffey.
There are not many better grounds to visit on a Thursday night in August than Bartholomew Way. Roffey are a welcoming club playing in a setting almost as picturesque as the Beacon, their pitch being located in the middle of a forest and earning the moniker of the Theatre of Trees.
The only goal of the game was nearly as beautiful as the surroundings. It came from Hassocks debutant Danny Reid, marking his first appearance in a red shirt since just a couple of days after signing from Peacehaven & Telscombe with an effort that those who witnessed it will be talking about for a long time.
Reid was one of five debutants amongst the 15 players used by Neil Parker, taking charge of the Under 23s for the first time.
The others were goalkeeper Callum Thompson, Lewis Fairley, Sam Rogers and substitute Reece Clarke. Tall striker Jamie Wilkes was a sixth newish face.
He has returned to the Beacon this summer following a season at AFC Uckfield Town after previously playing for Hassocks in 2020-21 before Covid-19 brought the season to a halt in December.
As for Parker, he has stepped up from managing the Robins’ Under 18s. He is no stranger to Under 23s football, having assisted Brad Sweetman with the side two seasons ago in that lockdown-interrupted 2020-21 before concentrating solely on the youth setup last year.
Nine of the squad who delivered the three points at Roffey played a part for the Under 23s last season, when they finished runners up in the North Division behind Broadbridge Heath – captained by new Hassocks recruit Rogers incidentally – and reached the semi finals of the League Cup. Alfold put paid to any dreams of a first piece of silverware at this level.
Jude Wallis was in and around the first team at times, Arthur Rawlingson was a regular whilst Dan Turner won both Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards.
Turner though is off to play cricket in New Zealand this winter, and so will be turning out for the Under 23s until he departs later in the year. That will provide a huge boost to Parker.
Of the other familiar faces, Jay Hudson, Sam Geard and Kobe Dersley all started at Bartholomew Way. Ben Hicks, George Mercer and Wes Tighe were introduced from the bench.
Roffey had finished last season in fifth place but those who were with Hassocks remember the threat they posed.
The Robins suffered their third North Division defeat of the season on their previous visit to the Theatre of Trees, going down 2-0 at the end of November when the autumn injury crisis which ripped through the Beacon was at its worse.
That outstanding debut strike from Reid along with a solid defensive performance from Thompson and his backline ensured there was no repeat on this occasion.
If Hassocks want to go one better than the second spot they achieved in 2021-22, then these are the sort of games they have to win. A good start for Parker and his players.
Hassocks: Callum Thompson, Kobe Dersley, Dan Turner, Arthur Rawlingson, Lewis Fairley, Sam Geard, Sam Rogers, Jamie Wilkes, Jude Wallis, Jay Hudson, Danny Reid.
Subs: Ben Hicks, Reece Clarke, George Mercer, Wes Tighe (used).
