Three goals from the bench help Hassocks hammer Lancing
Same opponents, same scoreline. For the second game running, Hassocks Under 18s faced Lancing and for their second game running it ended in a healthy 4-0 victory for the Robins.
This meeting came just two weeks after the sides last met in Southern Combination Under 18 Central Division action at the Beacon.
The hasty arrangement of the return fixture was a result of Lancing being given a walkover in the Sussex Bluefin Dennis Probee Youth Cup on account of their first round opponents Shoreham United pulling out.
With Hassocks having a blank weekend due to the bye they have to the second round, it was decided to make hay and get the game played rather than have both sides doing nothing with their Sunday morning.
The Robins were very happy about this; last week’s trip to Selsey in the League Cup was lost to the weather and with November looking likely to be a very wet four weeks, there was a danger that Hassocks could go the entire month without playing.
No matter how much rain fell, the trip to Lancing was pretty much guaranteed to go ahead on account of the 3G pitch at Culver Road.
The Lancers have enjoyed playing at home far more than on their travels so far this season. Of the five defeats they had suffered before Hassocks rocked up, just one had come on their own patch whilst Culver Road has been the scene of 100 percent of their victories so far.
Hassocks made two changes from the XI who had started against Lancing last time. Oliver Steel was absent altogether with Will Varley rested to the bench after starting for the Under 23s in their 2-0 League Cup defeat at home to Arundel on Thursday evening.
Their places were taken by Oliver Goswamy and Ryan Goss. For Goss, it was a first start of the season having been a used substitute on six other occasions.
The final score does perhaps not reflect that Hassocks were made to work hard for their three points, evidenced by three of the four goals coming from the bench.
Alex Brewer hit his 12th goal in 10 appearances. His place at the top of the Robins scoring charts though is coming increasingly under threat from Varley, who grabbed a brace once introduced into proceedings.
Varley also hit two in the previous meeting with the Lancers. His fellow substitute Ben Foster completed the scoring with his first goal in Hassocks colours.
The Robins have now climbed into third place in the Central Division with nine games played, marking the halfway point in the campaign if every side is to face each other twice.
Hassocks currently trail leaders St Francis Rangers by three points having played two games more. The Robins are level with second place Burgess Hill Town, although the Hillians have three matches in hand.
Next up for Hassocks is a trip to AFC Varndeanians next Sunday. This game is currently listed as taking place at Withdean Stadium, but may yet change to the University of Brighton.
Any support is always welcome, but please check our social media for confirmation of where we are playing beforehand.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Sam Dean, George Gladding, Ed Tobias, Sam Fernley, Oliver Goswamy, Alex Wintle, Toby Munt, Harry Goatcher, Ryan Goss, Alex Brewer.
Subs: Will Varley, Ben Foster (used).
