Hassocks into the last four of the Dennis Probee Cup for first time in 21 years
Hassocks Under 18s will host one of the strongest sides in the county in the semi finals of the Sussex Bluefin Dennis Probee Youth Cup at the Beacon on Sunday 5th March.
The Young Robins welcome Whitehawk, who sit third in the Isthmian Youth League South Division. Hassocks are the only remaining Southern Combination League side in the competition.
Just once before have the Robins reached the last four of the County Cup. That came 21 years ago when a team containing the likes of Pat Harding, Joel Harding, Anthony Hibbert and Stuart Faith went onto win the trophy as part of a treble along with the North Division title and the overall crown of Sussex County Youth League Champions.
The current crop of Under 18s are in their first season together and consist of players aged between 15 and 17 from Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint and Burgess Hill.
To make the semi finals of the County Cup from an initial pool of over 60 teams with such a young squad still learning about youth football is a fantastic achievement.
Hassocks have claimed some impressive scalps along the way. They eliminated local rivals St Francis Rangers on penalties following a 2-2 draw at the Beacon in round two in which Oliver Goswamy and Alex Wintle got the goals.
Rangers have spent the entire Central Division campaign so far above the Robins in the table and are the only challengers to runaway leaders Burgess Hill Town.
Round three saw Hassocks ease through 4-0 against Worthing United. Goswamy again netted along with George Gladding, Ed Tobias and Oliver Parker-Williams.
The quarter finals brought Newhaven to Mid Sussex, one of the better sides in the East Division. The Robins though showed once more how much they love playing as underdogs by beating the Dockers 3-2.
Gladding notched one and Goswamy another two – remarkably all four of his goals this season have come in the competition – to set up a date with Whitehawk.
Hassocks warmed up for the semi final with a thrilling league game away at Burgess Hill on Sunday. The table topping hosts are comprised of talented players from the Russell Martin Academy.
The Robins though gave an excellent account of themselves before succumbing to a 4-3 defeat. It was the first time Hassocks had lost in any competition since Sunday 2nd October.
Whitehawk will provide an even sterner test. The magic of the cup at any level of football however is about giant killings; Hassocks will be hoping to extend an already memorable County Cup run one game further and into the final at Culver Road.
Please do come along and support the Young Robins in their attempts to make a bit of history. Kick off is at 11am and admission is free.
The T Bar will be open, serving hot and cold beverages, bacon and egg rolls, chips and some of the finest homemade sausage rolls on the Sussex non league circuit.
