Striker wins his third award of the 2022-23 season so far
It is turning into quite the 2022-23 season for Liam Benson, who picked up his third Hassocks Player of the Month award of the campaign in December.
The striker was also victorious in September and November. No player has ever been named Player of the Month four times in a single campaign before, giving Benson a little bit of history to aim at between now and April.
Results wise, it was something of a disappointing month for Hassocks. Two games lost to the freezing weather meant the Robins only completed three matches, all of which ended in defeat.
Having drawn blanks in a 5-0 hammering away at Midhurst & Easebourne and when exiting the Sussex Senior Cup by losing 1-0 at home to Eastbourne Town, the two goals Hassocks scored in December both came on Boxing Day against Steyning Town.
Benson was named Bedlam Brewery Starman in that game with the Barrowmen where he gave the Robins a first minute lead.
Steyning defender Charlie Robinson was caught trying to play out from the back by Benson, who latched onto a loose pass and made no mistake with a low left footed effort to notch against one of his former clubs.
Benson was then heavily involved in the second Hassocks goal. He drew a good save from Barrowmen goalkeeper Lucas Szendela-Goetzke after being played in one-on-one by Harvey Blake.
The loose ball from Szendela-Gotezke’s interception fell to Blake continuing his run into the box to smash home and double the advantage.
Unfortunately, Hassocks surrendered their two goal lead in the second half as Steyning battled back to win 3-2 via a 94th minute Jack Barnes goal after Robins goalkeeper Joe Southam was taken off injured.
Second place in December Player of the Month goes to Pat Harding, whose burgeoning partnership with Benson meant that Hassocks top scorer Phil Johnson started every league game on the bench in December.
The veteran proved an ideal foil for Benson with clever approach play and lots of willing running. It was the introduction of Super Pat in the Eastbourne Town match which led the Robins to enjoy their best spell, dominating a final 20 minutes in which they did everything but put the ball in the back of the net.
Harding’s place in the top three is the first time he has been involved in a Hassocks Player of the Month award since his summer return to the Robins from Burgess Hill Town.
He missed the opening month of the campaign after breaking three ribs in pre-season but is now firmly up-to-speed and showing his quality – not that the Beacon faithful need much reminding of what Super Pat brings to the table.
For the second month running, young Sam Rogers took third place. After beginning the season in the Under 23s, the midfielder had established himself in the first team squad over the past few months.
His best performance came against Eastbourne Town, where he ran the midfield against quality opponents with a showing which belied his years.
It was enough to earn him the Bedlam Brewery Starman award as the Robins’ Senior Cup adventure came to an end at the second round stage.
