Robins flying start continues with four goals hit against the Lingers
This is turning into a rather good start to the Southern Combination League Premier Division campaign for Hassocks.
A 4-1 victory over Lingfield made it two wins and a draw from three matches, eight goals scored and only two conceded.
It also righted the wrongs of the midweek Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Qualifying Round replay defeat at Erith Town.
A woeful 17 minute spell before half time in which Hassocks conceded three times set the Robins on their way to a 4-0 defeat.
The result at the Stanmore Stadium was made doubly disappointing as the significant carrot of a first competitive Mid Sussex Derby against Burgess Hill Town for over 20 years was dangling in front of Hassocks.
Whilst Erith now go onto face the Hillians at the More Than Tyres Stadium next Saturday, Hassocks will host AFC Varndeanians in the slightly less glamorous Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup.
But if the Robins can deliver a similar result and performance as they did against Lingfield, then it will be well worth getting along to watch them take on the Vs.
It was pretty much one-way traffic towards the Lingers goal throughout the first half. Tom Frankland nodded down a Raging Joe Bull cross from the left for Liam Benson to attempt an acrobatic chest and volley blocked behind by Tyrone Magala-Bryan.
That started an intense period for Magala-Bryan in which be came a one-man blocking machine. He next threw himself in the way of a Super Pat Harding volley.
The loose ball came back to Harding, whose snap shot required an excellent reaction save from the legs of Lingfield goalkeeper Jack Glassborow.
As the ball then looped threateningly into the air, Magala-Bryan was again well positioned to head clear under pressure from Frankland and tall striker Jamie Wilkes.
Hassocks were getting a lot of joy out wide. Another left wing Bull cross was headed against the bar from six yards by Benson before Blake got a sight of goal cutting in from the opposite side. His powerful low drive was well repelled by Glassborow.
The Robins worked the resulting corner short via Bull and Benson. When the ball made its way into the box, Harding showed brilliant close control to get it under and hit a shot on the turn blocked by George Branton.
Harding had a second bite of the cherry but an equally impressive block from the outstretched leg of Luke New kept that one out. Benson then arrived on the scene, only to blast the Robins’ third attempt from the same play high and wide.
With half time now approaching, it looked as though Lingfield were going to make it into the break level. Kyle Woolven though had other ideas, choosing the third minute of added time to score his first goal in Hassocks colours.
A Bull corner was cleared only as far as the edge of the box, where Woolven was lurking to unleash an effort which went in via a deflection off the unfortunate Magala-Bryan.
Hassocks were given an early second half warning as to why they needed to be more clinical, Richard Wetton coming close to an equaliser with a 30 yard drive inches over.
The Robins response to that was perfect as they went up the other end and doubled their advantage on 50 minutes.
Woolven found Frankland on halfway, where some quick feet and a sweeping switch released Harding down the left.
Harding hung up the perfect cross to the back post, Frankland continued his run and fired home on the volley.
Lingfield enjoyed their best spell immediately after as they set about cutting the deficit. Matt Gunn had to block a Carl Brown volley behind and then the same Lingfield player hit an effort which dipped just over the bar.
The Lingers almost scrambled home a corner before Hassocks added the killer third with 15 minutes left to play.
Bull picked up possession just inside the Lingfield half, embarked on a mazy run forward and slipped in Benson to apply the finish.
Conor Wilford pulled one back for the visitors from the penalty spot following a Harvey Blake handball with five minutes remaining.
Hassocks though ensured they won by three when Under 23s midfielder Sam Geard grabbed his first senior goal for the Robins in stoppage time.
Alex Bygraves nodded a corner back across goal towards Geard who picked his spot with a precision header placed between Glassborow and New guarding the post.
Geard was not the only young player to enjoy his afternoon. Midfielder Josh Mundy was outstanding on his first start since joining on loan from Three Bridges and there was a late debut from the bench for Whitehawk teenager Kian Nandhra.
Hassocks: Fraser Trigwell; Harvey Blake, Matt Gunn, Alex Bygraves, Joe Bull; Tom Frankland, Josh Mundy, Jamie Wilkes, Pat Harding; Kyle Woolven, Liam Benson.
Subs: Alfie Loversidge (Frankland 74), Sam Geard (Woolven 74), Alex Brewer (Benson 79), Kian Nandhra (Harding 87), Bradley Tighe (Blake 88).
Starman: Josh Mundy.
