Robins closing in on North Division title after cutting down Oakmen
Three points from the final three games of the season will secure a first ever Southern Combination League Under 23 North Division title for Hassocks.
The Robins moved a step closer to being crowned champions with a convincing 4-1 victory over bottom side Oakwood at the Beacon, opening up a 14 point lead at the top of the table.
Only two teams can now mathematically catch Hassocks. Roffey have five left to play, so they would need to win all their remaining matches and hope the Robins lose their final three.
Broadbridge Heath are 18 points behind with six games to complete. Again, they require a 100 percent record from this point on, Hassocks not to claim another point and would need to overturn a goal difference of 17.
All of which means the Robins could claim the title next week at home to Loxwood, a game which has been moved from Thursday night to Wednesday to avoid a clash with the Under 18s League Cup semi final away at Newhaven.
Kick off is at 7:45pm at the Beacon. The more support for the Robins, the better as they aim to write a little bit of history with the club’s maiden title at Under 23s level.
Oakwood arrived in Mid Sussex for the first meeting of the campaign between the sides bottom of the table having lost 14 out of 14 games.
The Robins were loathe to take them lightly, however. Neil Parker’s side had not played for three weeks and their last outing was not exactly smooth sailing.
Hassocks trailed Lingfield 3-1 with the clock on 90 minutes before producing a remarkable late rally to walk away with a point from a 3-3 draw.
Such character is the stuff of champions – but if the Robins want the silverware to back that tag up, they knew three points from Oakwood were a must.
The congested end to the season for all clubs meant Hassocks were unable to call upon any youth team players as the Under 18s were in action 24 hours later against Saltdean United.
That left Parker without the services of defender Ed Tobias, one of three changes from the point at Godstone Road.
JJ Minty was absent and Marshall Smith dropped to the bench. Coming in were George Mercer, Jude Wallis and Luke Marshall, making just his second start of the campaign back from university for the Easter break.
Marshall certainly made the most of opportunity, getting on the scoresheet with a typically towering header from a set piece.
He was joined by another promising youngster in Phil Gault, who scored his fifth of the season from only five appearances to move level with Sam Geard and Charlie Broad in the race for the Robins golden boot.
Tom Frankland and substitute Jay Hudson completed the rout, with Hassocks even having the kind manners to provide Oakwood with their consolation via a Jack Thomas own goal.
Hassocks: Fraser Trigwell, Luke Marshall, Jack Smith, Wes Tighe, Tom Frankland, George Mercer, Sam Rogers, Sam Geard, Ben Hicks, Phil Gault, Jude Wallis.
Subs: Marshall Smith, Jay Hudson, Kobe Dersley.
