Young Robins travel to rivals Newhaven with League Cup final spot up for grabs
For the second time this season, Hassocks Under 18s have a big semi final to look forward to after advancing to the last four of the Southern Combination League Under 18 Cup.
The Robins will travel to Newhaven on Thursday night to take on a Dockers side they have struck up quite the rivalry with following an enthralling clash in the Sussex Bluefin Dennis Probee Youth Cup earlier in the season.
Hassocks hosted Newhaven in the quarter finals of that competition, eventually coming out on top in a ding-dong 3-2 victory through goals from George Gladding and an Oliver Goswamy brace.
That left the Robins as the last Southern Combination League side standing in the County Cup, where they bowed out to eventual winners Whitehawk 3-0.
The Dockers will therefore be out for revenge and that should make for quite the 90 minutes at the Trafalgar Ground and a stern test for a very young Hassocks side.
They are all local boys from Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint and Burgess Hill with several only 15-years-old. Undoubtedly, the Robins have saved their best performances for knockout competitions, doing the club and themselves proud in their first season together as team.
Hassocks’ run to the semi finals of the League Cup has not been easy. In the quarters, they had to withstand a lot of pressure away at Seaford Town, defending valiantly and picking their moments to play brilliantly on the counter attack in the second half.
A Will Varley header from a Oliver Parker-Williams cross gave the Robins a 1-0 lead going into half time. Seaford threw everything they had at Hassocks after the break, the Badgers dominating possession and creating a number of good chances.
The Robins though weathered the storm, followed by Sam Fernley teeing up Varley for a magnificent volley to double the lead on 65 minutes. Varley then repaid the favour, sending Fernley clear to finish a one-on-one with aplomb for a 3-0 victory.
Hassocks had arguably faced tougher opposition in the round of 16 away to Eastbourne United, who had only lost one league game all season and were vying for top spot in the East Division.
It was yet another tight affair and with the game 0-0 at half time, it could have gone either way. But with United having a defender sent off just before the break for a second bookable offence, Hassocks dominated the second half and thoroughly deserved their 3 -0 victory.
Parker-Williams produced two clinical finishes and a superb Ewan Edwards header from a sumptuous Jack Duckett free kick secured the win.
The whole team were excellent, but in particular 15-year-olds Ben Foster and Toby Munt. Unfortunately, Munt is currently ruled out for four weeks with an ankle injury.
In the second round, Hassocks overcame Selsey away from home via a 4-2 penalty shootout success. The 90 minutes had finished level at 2-2 at the Seal Bay Resort Stadium, the Robins goals coming from Varley and Gladding.
Kick off on Thursday is at 8pm at the Trafalgar Ground. The players and management would be delighted if you could make the trip and give them your full support.
