Robins return to top spot after doing enough to clip Magpies’ wings
There have been plenty of twists and turns already in the Southern Combination League Under 23 North Division this season.
The latest saw Hassocks return to top spot through a combination of a hard-fought 2-1 win at Loxwood and previous leaders Alfold suffering a 2-1 reversal against the Robins’ Mid Sussex rivals St Francis Rangers.
Not that the full time score at the Nest between the Magpies and Hassocks told the entire story. Loxwood ended the evening feeling a little aggrieved having created their fair share of chances, only to lose to a Robins outfit who are proving clinical at one end and difficult to break down at the other.
Lingfield found that out last week when Hassocks gave a thoroughly professional performance to win 2-0 at the Beacon.
And if Hassocks can keep finding ways to put victories on the board, then they will frustrate more opponents than just the Magpies and the Lingers over the remainder of the campaign.
Neil Parker came as close to naming an unchanged starting XI as you get in Under 23s football, making just one change from that victory against Lingfield seven days earlier.
Reece Clarke missed the long journey north to the Sussex/Surrey border with his place taken by returning top scorer Danny Reid.
Reid was rested for the Lingers game on account of the fact that he had made his first senior start 48 hours earlier when Hassocks eliminated Saltdean United from the Sussex Senior Cup at the first round stage.
Also making his full Robins debut that evening was Sam Rogers. The former Broadbridge Heath Under 23s captain will have kept himself firmly in the senior frame by opening his account in Hassocks colours against Loxwood.
It was a good evening for players seeking opportunities in the first team, actually. Will Broomfield has been kept out by the outstanding form of Bradley Tighe and Alex Bygraves so far but he provided a reminder of his quality by being the other Hassocks player on the scoresheet.
Loxwood top scorer Zain Beg claimed the Magpies’ consolation in the 77th minute of an entertaining encounter in which both sides played some impressive football.
The three points will have been particularly enjoyed by Sam Smith and Charlie Broad, who were both Loxwood players this time last year before making the move to the Beacon. Smith joined the Robins in the autumn with Broad following in the first few weeks of 2022.
Hassocks will remain as North Division leaders for at least a fortnight as next Thursday sees the second round of Southern Combination League Under 23 Cup take place.
The Robins travel to inside the M25 to face Chessington & Hook United at Chalky Lane for the second time this season.
Hassocks will be hoping for a repeat of their 4-1 victory on that occasion, secured by goals from Sam Geard, Charlie Tuck and a George Mercer brace.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Wes Tighe, Sam Smith, Will Broomfield, Jack Smith, Ben Hicks, Sam Rogers, Kieran Dimelow, George Mercer, Danny Reid, Charlie Broad.
Subs: Marshall Smith, Sam Fernley, Will Varley (used).
