One goalkeeper in, two goalkeepers and a striker out in a busy few days
It has been all change in the goalkeeping department at the Beacon with one in and two out ahead of the business end of the Southern Combination League season.
Hassocks have pulled off quite the coup in signing experienced Loxwood number one Fraser Trigwell for their Under 23s title charge.
Trigwell has been first choice at Plaistow Road since arriving from Steyning Town in the summer of 2020 after former Robins favourite Spencer Slaughter was appointed manager.
He played 24 times in his first campaign with Loxwood, enjoying a starring role as the Magpies reached the final of the 2021 Supplementary Shield competition.
Trigwell saved three Newhaven penalties in the semi final shootout after the sides had drawn 2-2 in 90 minutes at Woodside Road.
The final against Lancing finished level and even though Trigwell kept out another penalty, it was the Isthmian League-bound Lancers who lifted the trophy after winning 5-4 from 12 yards.
Trigwell was a virtual ever-present for Loxwood last season, playing 39 times in all competitions. He made 23 appearances for the Magpies in the current campaign before being lured to the Beacon.
Hassocks head coach James Westlake served as assistant to Slaughter at Plaistow Road and was able to put his contacts to good use to strengthen the Robins’ goalkeeper options.
That became necessary in the wake of both Joe Southam and Callum Thompson leaving the Beacon. Teenager Southam has returned to parent club Burgess Hill Town.
He played five times for the Robins, helping to fill the void left when Alex Harris was ruled out through injury in November and December.
Thompson meanwhile was offered the opportunity to play first team football at Roffey following his return from a nasty shoulder dislocation and fracture playing for the Under 23s against Horsham YMCA in early October.
Before the injury, Thompson had kept three clean sheets as Neil Parker’s side won five of their opening seven games of the campaign. He signed a scholarship with Point University in January.
There has been one other piece of outgoing business away from the goalkeepers with Danny Reid moving to Saltdean United.
Like Thompson’s departure to Roffey, the Tigers are able to offer Reid greater first team opportunities at Hill Park.
Reid made three starts and seven substitute appearances, scoring once in the 5-0 Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup win away at Forest Row. He had topped the Under 23s goal charts earlier in the season with four from six matches.
We would like to thank, Callum, Joe and Danny for their efforts in a Hassocks shirt this season and wish them well for the future.
And for Fraser, it is a very warm welcome to the Beacon.
