Comeback win over Steyning sets Robins up for the season ahead
Hassocks Under 18s kicked off their Southern Combination Youth League Central Division season with an impressive 3-1 win over a determined Steyning Town side.
The Robins had shown glimpses of what they might be capable of this year in pre season with friendly victories over Newhaven and Eastbourne Town.
But they still had to work hard to earn the three points having gone 1-0 down in the first half. This was despite having the majority of possession and chances in a lively opening 45 minutes.
Having scored five goals in two pre season games, the impressive Alex Brewer went close on several occasions.
Similarly, Cam Mitchell – still recovering from his exploits at the Reading Festival one week earlier – went close twice following crosses from marauding right wing back, Sam Fernley.
Hassocks had a goal disallowed in the 14th minute and shortly afterwards, the lively Jack Duckett blazed over the bar.
Then, in the 24th minute, Steyning centre forward Joe Simpkin latched onto a through ball from his goalkeeper. With excellent one touch control, Simpkin slotted home to put Steyning 1-0 ahead.
Until that point, the Robins defence of Sam Dean, captain Will Varley and Ed Tobias had coped well with the Barrowmen’s forward line.
All three had also been prominent in some attractive build up play from the home side, passing out well from the back.
Despite the setback, Hassocks did not panic and continued to pepper the Steyning goal with Brewer, Ryan Goss and Alex Wintle – who was excellent in midfield – all going close.
After a goal mouth scramble saw the ball hit the post and roll along the goal line into the hands of the impressive Steyning keeper, the Hassocks crowd began to wonder if the breakthrough would ever come.
Half time arrived with the score still 1-0 in the visitors’ favour. The second half continued in much the same vain, Hassocks dominating with the Barrowmen looking dangerous on the break.
Steyning enjoyed a couple of early counter attacks and it needed the towering Varley and Tobias to win several headers to quell the Barrowmen’s advances.
Goss had a shot saved from close range after some great work from exciting 15-year-old prospect Oliver Goswamy.
Then after some good play from Tobias, Duckett proceeded to skip past three players on the edge of the Steyning penalty area and smash home with his ‘weaker’ left foot to equalise.
Cue huge relief from the Hassocks dugout, who were beginning to feel the pressure after some ominous looking glances from Dave John!
More chances went begging for the Robins before they finally took the lead in the 64th minute. A great move involving Goswamy and Goss saw Brewer through on goal and he slotted home calmly into the bottom right corner.
Steyning never gave up though and in the 70th minute, the centre forward found himself in one-on-one with the Hassocks keeper, Jack Thomas. Thomas prevailed with a crucial save to prevent the Barrowmen from equalising.
As both sets of players began to tire, the Robins turned to their bench. Ben Foster, Archie Hill and Ewan Edwards were all introduced and they provided much needed energy to keep the momentum in Hassocks’ favour.
The industrious Harry Carter – who had worked his socks off in central midfield – shot narrowly over the bar.
Hassocks added a killer third shortly after. Brewer latched onto a poor back pass and beat the Steyning goalkeeper, making it 3-1 to put the game out of reach.
In the final minutes, Goswamy put Goss through but he shot just wide and Captain Varley fired a pile driver over the bar from 25 yards.
Shortly after, the referee blew for full time to end what was an exciting game, played in the right spirit by both sides throughout.
Hassocks face AFC Varndeanians next on Sunday 11th September. The game is a 10am kick off at Falmer University and your support of the Young Robins is always welcome.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Sam Dean, Will Varley, Ed Tobias, Sam Fernley, Cam Mitchell, Alex Wintle, Harry Carter, Oliver Gosway, Jack Duckett, Alex Brewer,
Subs: Ryan Goss, Ben Foster, Archie Hill, Ewan Edwards
Starman: Will Varley
Shots: Hassocks 17-6 Steyning
Shots on target: Hassocks 8-3 Steyning
