Hassocks hammer Horley in super second half top of the table clash showing
As far as Thursday nights go, Hassocks Under 23s could not have wished for a better evening than the one they enjoyed when visiting Horley Town in a Southern Combination Under 23 North Division top of the table clash.
A 3-1 victory at the New Defence saw the Robins move seven points clear of the second-placed Clarets in the standings.
Seven points is also now the margin to Alfold in third, who suffered a surprise 3-2 reversal at home to Lingfield. With all three teams still having 10 games to play, the league campaign has only just ticked over halfway.
There will undoubtedly be many twists and turns yet. Hassocks have to host Alfold and visit reigning champions Broadbridge Heath – who sit eight points behind the Robins but with a game in hand – in two games which look pivotal in the title race.
But there can be no question that Hassocks are in a really strong position as they seek to go one better than their runners up finishes in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
The Robins have only the North Division title race to concentrate on following their penalty shootout defeat in the League Cup at the hands of East Preston a week earlier.
Initially, it looked like Hassocks might have been suffering a hangover from that disappointment as they went into half time against Horley trailing 1-0.
Whatever manager Neil Parker said at half time however had the desired impact. The Robins were superb after the break, scoring three unanswered goals to claim a massive three points.
Hassocks were without goalkeepers Jack Thomas and Callum Thompson, meaning Joe Southam stepped in having impressed in several first team appearances after dual signing from Burgess Hill Town in November.
Will Broomfield came in for Sam Smith, who had starred when the Robins beat Eastbourne Town 48 hours earlier for their first win at the Saffrons in 17 years.
Alfie Loversidge was absent for the same reason with his place taken by Tom Frankland whilst other first teamers Lewis Westlake and Liam Benson were replaced by Wes Tighe and Marshall Smith, promoted from the bench.
Hassocks also had to cope with the absence of top scorer Charlie Broad, although having JJ Minty to come in as a replacement as he returns from injury was a significant bonus.
Horley took the lead through Ryan Brown in a strong first half showing from the hosts. It was a different story after the break when Jude Wallis, Frankland and Wes Tighe completed a comeback win for Hassocks over a side who had inflicted one of the Robins’ two North Division defeats so when dishing out a 3-0 hammering at the Beacon back in September.
The boot was very much on the other foot on this occasion with Parker giving runouts to Under 18s duo Will Varley and Sam Fernley from the bench.
Hassocks: Joe Southam, Jude Wallis, Jack Smith, Will Broomfield, Wes Tighe, Tom Frankland, Sam Rogers, Sam Geard, Ben Hicks, JJ Minty, Marshall Smith.
Subs: George Mercer, Sam Fernley, Will Varley (used).
