First defeat in 11 months for 10 man Hassocks against buoyant Bears
The reigning Southern Combination Under 23 North Division champions met the previous Southern Combination Under 23 North Division champions at the Bodymould Mattresses Stadium in the third game of the new campaign.
And it was the 2021-22 title winners who came out on top, Broadbridge Heath inflicting a 4-1 defeat on Hassocks.
Both sides came into the game with 100 percent records, with the Robins unbeaten in the league for 11 months.
You had to go back to September 29th last year to find the last time Hassocks tasted defeat, a 3-0 home reversal against Horley Town.
The stage then was set for an enthralling encounter. But unfortunately for the Robins, their hopes of taking something were dealt a severe blow by having to play for more than an hour with only 10 men.
Julian Durand was the recipient of a straight red card midway through the first half for something allegedly said to referee Duncan Brooker.
Heath led 1-0 at the time, going onto ruthlessly exploit their man advantage by easing to what was a comfortable victory by the end.
Neil Parker made four changes from the side who had beaten Horley 4-2 at the Beacon a week earlier. Charlie Fogden missed out altogether whilst Sam Fernley and Noah McHale dropped down to the bench.
Two first team players came into the side. Kyle Woolven has found starting opportunities limited thanks to the form which has led Hassocks to top spot in the Premier Division.
With no first team game at the weekend owing to Steyning Town still being in the FA Cup, Woolven was given the opportunity to get minutes under his belt 48 hours after coming off the bench to score a stunning 30 yard effort against Shoreham on Tuesday night.
The Robins were also boosted by the return of club captain Lewis Westlake, playing his first competitive action for over eight months following an injury-hit previous campaign.
Under 23s regular Jack Smith made his first start of the season, as did George Gladding from the Under 18s squad. Gladding had impressed from the bench in the opening day win at Redhill.
The opening exchanges were pretty even. Initial impressions were that these were two well matched teams with not very much at all to separate them. Both sides produced some eye catching approach work, only to be let down by the final ball.
A little over 23 minutes had elapsed when Szymon Kowalczyk decided to take matters into his own hands. The Bears striker received the ball with his back to the Hassocks goal.
After a sublime turn, he managed to weave his way around a couple of Robins defenders before firing left footed into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
Things got worse for Hassocks as just four minutes later, Mr Brooker sent Durand for that early bath. Following that, the Robins were hoping to make it to half time for the chance to regroup.
Heath in contrast sensed an opportunity and duly went in search of a second goal. It duly arrived 10 minutes before the break.
Sam Lemon has been the scourge of Hassocks on many previous occasions at first team level and here he was, tormenting the Robins once again.
A ball hit out of hope more than anything down the left flank was latched onto by Lemon, who did brilliantly to hit a sweet first time cross into the box.
It found its way to Wiktor Maznica, taking a touch before striking beyond Jack Thomas to double the Bears advantage.
Heath ended the game as a contest three minutes into the second half thanks to a fine individual goal from defender James Archard.
After advancing down the right flank and cutting inside, Archard exchanged a one-two with Kowalczyk on the edge of the box.
Having received possession back, Archard proceeded to go around two more Hassocks defenders before beating Thomas at the near post.
Heath added their fourth on 65 as Maznica completed his brace. Some quick feet on the edge of the box created enough space for Maznica to rifle home.
The floodgates could easily have opened further at that point. One positive for Hassocks is that they did not. Another positive was a debut goal for substitute Cavan Chedzey.
And some goal it was too. The former Hurstpierpoint player was 40 yards out and positioned on out on the touchline when he hit a right footed effort which flew over the head of helpless Heath goalkeeper Montgomery Watson-Price before dropping into the far corner.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, George Gladding, Jack Smith, Kobe Dersley, Ben Hicks, Alfie Loversidge, Lewis Westlake, George Mercer, Kyle Woolven, Sam Geard, Julian Durand.
Subs: Sam Fernley, Cavan Chedzey, Billy Dove, Noah McHale, Wes Tighe (used).
