Two injury time goals rescue Robins a precious point
With the 90 minutes up at Godstone Road, Hassocks Under 23s looked like they were about to lose for the first time in nine Southern Combination League Under 23 North Division matches.
The Robins trailed Lingfield 3-1 with the trip just over the Sussex border into Surrey proving to be as hard as head coach Neil Parker had predicted beforehand, despite the Lingers place in mid table.
What followed was pure drama as two stoppage time goals from Hassocks salvaged the most unlikely of points from a 3-3 draw.
Since the Robins last played a fortnight ago, there has been a big change in the North Division with Alfold withdrawing and having their record expunged.
Hassocks had played Fold only once so far and that game ended in defeat, so the Robins’ points haul was unaffected by the withdrawal.
This was not the case for some of the sides vying to knock Hassocks off top spot, who had won or drawn against Alfold and have now seen those points removed.
Broadbridge Heath had been Hassocks’ closest pursuers but they dropped to fourth as a result of the adjustments.
Horley Town moved into second, which meant the Robins’ lead was extended to 14 points without needing to kick a ball.
The Clarets have since been overtaken by Roffey, who cut the gap to 11 in the process by beating Heath 3-2 at the Countryside Stadium whilst Hassocks were drawing at Lingfield.
Heath still have two games in hand on Hassocks but are now 15 points behind; the Robins trip there next month now looks pivotal.
So many twists and turns serve as a reminder of what a useful point this was for Hassocks, especially when they looked dead and buried so late in the game.
To come from behind at such a tough place – Lingfield are unbeaten at home in the league this season – will do wonders for confidence and belief going into the run in.
There were two changes from the Robins side who had beaten Horsham YMCA 3-1 last time out. Marshall Smith was promoted into the starting XI to replace Josh Bradley, now back in the first team after completing a four-game ban.
Jude Wallis was unavailable and his place was taken by Ed Tobias, rewarded for his excellent season in the Under 18s with a first start for the Under 23s. This proved to be a shrewd decision as Tobias marked his full debut with a goal.
Frankland pushed his claims for a first team recall by scoring his second from four Under 23s appearances so far this season.
The other Hassocks goal getter was Sam Geard, who has been in a rich vein of form since returning to the Beacon following a brief spell at Montpelier Villa.
Geard now has four in his past seven outings and five for the campaign in total, moving him level with top scorer Charlie Broad.
For Lingfield, Jimmy Williams, Tyler Dhanipersad and Paris Jackson got the goals that looked for the most part like they were going to deliver three points for the hosts.
Hassocks: Fraser Trigwell, Ed Tobias, Jack Smith, Wes Tighe, Tom Frankland, JJ Minty, Sam Rogers, Sam Geard, Ben Hicks, Phil Gault, Marshall Smith.
Subs: Sam Fernley, George Mercer, Oliver Parker-Williams (used).
