County Cup curse continues as Robins again eliminated at earliest opportunity
Playing in the Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup has rarely been an enjoyable experience for Hassocks and their poor recorded continued with second round elimination at the hands of Arundel.
The competition was first introduced for the 2017-18 season, since when the Robins have won only four times in it and advanced beyond the stage they entered on three occasions.
As Southern Combination League North Division leaders going into the tie – Alfold took over at the top thanks to a 4-1 win at the same time as Hassocks were losing to Arundel – the Robins might have fancied a decent crack at the competition this time.
Especially as the draw appeared kind, on paper at least. The Mullets sit 10th of 12 teams in the West Division, winning three of their six matches.
Football is not played on paper, however. What Arundel do have is a pretty mean defence. They have only conceded seven goals all season – and four of those came in one game against Shoreham.
The Mullets had recorded five clean sheets including four in a row prior to arriving at the Beacon. Make that five now, as the Robins could find no way through on their way to a 2-0 defeat.
Hassocks were without four-goal top scorer Danny Reid whilst two players who trail him in the Hassocks scoring charts – Sam Smith and 16-year-old Sam Fernley – were also absent.
Fernley had scored twice in the Robins last outing, a 5-1 win in the League Cup at Chessington & Hook United in which Neil Parker included seven Under 18s players in his squad.
There was a much more experienced look to the side who took on Arundel with five changes to the starting XI from victory at Chalky Lane.
Will Broomfield and Arthur Rawlingson returned to the back line. Sam Rogers was introduced in midfield having missed the Chessington game through first team involvement against both Forest Row and Newhaven.
JJ Minty came in for his first Under 23s appearances as Hassocks try to get him up to match fitness following his dual-signing from Burgess Hill Town, whilst Will Varley from the Under 18s came in for a full debut.
Dropping out were Varley’s fellow youth team players Fernley, George Gladding, Archie Hill and Alex Wintle, along with Under 23s regular Ben Hicks.
Both Hicks and Wintle were introduced from the bench, but nothing Hassocks did could help them find a way past the mean Mullets defence.
Charlie Broad also came on having plundered three goals in his past three appearances, with Tom Frankland making his Under 23s bow from the bench having not featured for the first team for the past six weeks.
Arundel scored their goals in a 16 minute spell either side of half time. Kieron Howard put the visitors ahead three minutes before the break, followed by James Ayling adding the second just before the hour mark.
The Mullets will now face either Crowborough Athletic or Broadbridge Heath in the third round. For Hassocks, it is back to the bread and butter of league football next week at home to Chessington & Hook United.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Wes Tighe, Will Broomfield, Arthur Rawlingson, Jack Smith, JJ Minty, Sam Rogers, Kieran Dimelow, George Mercer, Marshall Smith, Will Varley.
Subs: Alex Wintle, Tom Frankland, Charlie Broad, Ben Hicks (used).
