Quite the season so far for Bully at left back
Joe Bull is enjoying quite the 2022-23 season following his reinvention as a left back with the latest accolade being named Hassocks Player of the Month for October.
Bull finished second in the September award, as well as passing a century of appearances for the Robins at the end of August.
The majority of those had come as a forward. When AFC Varndeanians visited the Beacon in the Peter Bentley League Cup at the start of September, Bull took over from the injured Sam Cash at left back.
Since then, there has been no looking back. Bull has made himself an undroppable part of a back four which kept three Southern Combination League Premier Division clean sheets in five matches through October.
Such a mean defence helped the Robins climb to the dizzy heights of sixth in the table. Bull has also contributed going forward, Hassocks deploying two attack-minded full backs with Harvey Blake on the opposite side.
Raging Bull has made the most of the freedom to charge forward, sending in the sort of deliveries which the Robins’ current first choice strike force of Phil Johnson and Liam Benson thrive upon.
Speaking of Johnson, it was Hassocks’ top scorer who finished second to Bull in the October Player of the Month award.
Johnson was in irresistible form, scoring eight goals from seven matches, including a first half haul of four in the Robins’ 5-0 Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup win at Forest Row.
It was Johnson’s timely late equaliser against Saltdean United in the Sussex Senior Cup which sent the tie to penalties, with Hassocks eventually winning a topsy turvy shootout 6-5.
Johnson also scored in wins away at Loxwood and Crowborough Athletic and when AFC Varndeanians were beaten 2-0 at the Beacon.
Third place in October Player of the Month went to goalkeeper Alex Harris, who remains the only player to have started every game in league and cup so far this season.
Harris took the Bedlam Brewery Starman accolade against Saltdean, playing a huge part in helping Hassocks into the second round of the competition.
The Tigers, Crowborough and Newhaven were the only opponents to find a way past Harris as he recorded shutouts facing Loxwood, Varndeanians, Eastbourne United and Forest Row.
The Forest Row fixture also gave Harris the opportunity to show off his distribution, a pinpoint kick 70 yards down the pitch to Jack Troak enabling Captain Jack to tee up Johnson for the Robins’ second goal of the evening.
