Hassocks navigate three November matches unbeaten
Wet weather meant Hassocks played only three times in November 2022, navigating the month unbeaten as the impressive first campaign with James Westlake as head coach continued.
The Robins had to cope without five first choice players when Bexhill United visited the Beacon in the opening game of the month. Harvey Blake and Alex Bygraves were suspended and Bradley Tighe at a wedding, denying Westlake three of his back four.
Leon Turner was facing several months on the sidelines having come off injured just four minutes into the 2-0 defeat at Newhaven which rounded off October.
When Phil Johnson was then ruled out with illness, Hassocks’ chances against a Pirates outfit aiming to sail into the top four for a second consecutive season looked ominous.
The Robins though coped admirably despite the glut of absentees as two second half goals from Liam Benson secured victory in horrific wind and rain.
Those conditions meant there was little prospect of any fireworks on the pitch to mark Bonfire Night. Instead, it was a game largely dominated by the two defences with Sam Cash, Sam Smith and Will Broomfield all deserving credit for stepping into the Hassocks backline for rare starts.
At the other end, Benson was in lethal form. He gave the Robins the lead on the hour mark when Pat Harding and new signing from Burgess Hill Town, JJ Minty linked up. Minty split the Bexhill defence with a through ball and Benson scampered clear to finish.
Benson added his second of the afternoon in injury time to wrap up the three points, firing home a scrappy effort in a goalmouth scramble.
With the World Cup kicking off in the middle of November necessitating a pause in the professional leagues, those who chose to get their live football fix at the Beacon when Lingfield came to town were treated to some high-quality entertainment.
Although a 2-2 draw between Robins and Lingers was good for the neutrals, Hassocks found themselves disappointed as they dropped points in a game in which they never managed to get out of third gear.
Lingfield opened the scoring inside of three minutes. A Hassocks free kick went wrong, the visitors countered and Dennis Asante applied the finish past Joe Southam in the Robins goal.
19-year-old Southam was making his Hassocks debut having dual-registered from Burgess Hill to cover for the sick Alex Harris.
Southam made excellent saves in the sixth and 10th minutes from Lingfield top scorer Cameron Dobell and Deji Adeosun, preventing the visitors moving 3-0 ahead and potentially killing the game before it had even started.
Benson continued his fine form by providing an equaliser midway through the first half. Raging Joe Bull delivered into the box and although a Lingers defender miraculously blocked a Bygraves header on the line, Benson was on hand to smash home the follow up.
Hassocks took the lead five minutes before the interval via a goal beautifully crafted between their two wingers, Minty and Jack Troak.
Minty fed Troak, whose first effort was met by another sensational clearance off the line. Troak continued his run and made no mistake with the second bite of the cherry, burying a left footed drive low and hard into the bottom corner.
The Robins had a couple of chances to add a third but they also looked vulnerable whenever Lingfield won a set piece.
And it was from a free kick that Hassocks were punished with 12 minutes remaining. Gus Ward produced a stunning direct strike into the top corner with 12 minutes remaining to ensure Lingfield headed back to Surrey with a share of the spoils.
If Westlake wanted a reaction a week later when Saltdean United visited, then that is certainly what he received. The Robins scored five times in the opening 30 minutes, one of the most relentless spells seen at the Beacon for many seasons.
Harding produced a brilliant diving header from a Blake cross with six minutes played to give Hassocks the lead. It was his first goal at the Beacon since April 2006.
Tall striker Jamie Wilkes scored a fine individual effort after robbing former Robins midfielder Lucas Tyrrell of possession in midfield, advancing 25 yards with the ball and drilling low and hard into the bottom corner.
Benson volleyed home a Bull short corner for the third 180 seconds later. Another 180 seconds later and Hassocks had a fourth when a Bull in-swinger resulted in Tigers goalkeeper Josh James scoring an own goal.
It was from yet another Bull corner that goal number five arrived on the half hour mark. Bygraves was the scorer this time via a towering header at the back post.
The Robins were unable to add to their scoreline in the remaining hour through a combination of easing up and some inspired goalkeeping from James, which prevented the score becoming any more of a rout.
Harris was denied a clean sheet on his return when Saltdean made it 5-1 with eight minutes remaining. A cross from another ex-Robin Alfie Edmeads reached Mitch Hewens at the back post. His volley found a way to creep in past Bull, Tighe and Harris.
November’s relentless rain had a huge impact on the game time of the club’s other teams. The Under 23s played just once, exiting the Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup at the first hurdle via a 2-0 home defeat to Arundel.
The Under 18s benefitted from having two away matches on 3G pitches. Will Varley scored twice along with Alex Brewer and Ben Foster in a 4-0 win over Lancing at Culver Road.
A week later and it was a 2-2 draw at the University of Brighton against AFC Varndeanians. Varley again found the back of the net, joined this time on the scoresheet by George Gladding.
The Ladies only game of November also took place on 3G, thanks to Pagham switching the Sussex County Women’s League Premier Division clash between the sides to the Arena Sports Centre.
Hassocks made the long trip west worthwhile, winning 7-1 to maintain their 100 percent start to the campaign. A Katherine Chappell hat-trick, two from Tallie Bright and one apiece for Kirsten Mair and Claire Stevens did the damage.
