Robins win at Redhill to get title defence up and running
Hassocks got their defence of the Southern Combination League Under 23 North Division title off to the perfect start with a 3-1 victory at Redhill.
The Robins were unsure what to expect heading over the border into Surrey. This is the first time Redhill have entered an Under 23s team in the Southern Combination League.
That meant Neil Parker’s players were the first Hassocks squad to pay a visit to Kiln Brow since January 2013.
Mickey Jewell’s first team were beaten 3-1 on that occasion by a Lobsters outfit who ended the campaign promoted to the Isthmian League as runners up behind Peacehaven & Telscombe.
It has been something of a busy summer for Parker. Just five of the 14 players he used here were regulars last season, Hassocks having been forced into a rebuild with several players moving elsewhere in search of senior football.
Sam Rogers and Jude Wallis have both gone to AFC Varndeanians. Top scorer Phil Gault meanwhile retired, deciding that now he owned a coveted North Division winners medal, his Thursday nights could be better spent with his extensive red wine collection.
Sam Fernley, Sam Geard, Ben Hicks, George Mercer and goalkeeper Jack Thomas all remain and started against Redhill.
Hassocks have also been boosted by 2021-22 first team Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the Season Dan Turner returning from playing cricket on the other side of the world.
23-year-old Turner was the oldest player on show for the Robins. Much of Hassocks’ recruitment has been focussed on youngsters from Whitehawk and there were a host of those making their debuts at Redhill.
Billy Dove, Charlie Fogden and Josh Nandhra all started with Kian Nahdhra joining the action from the bench having made his senior debut in the 4-1 win over Lingfield at the weekend.
Alfie Loversidge was given the chance to get more minutes under his belt and the Hassocks XI was rounded off by former Burgess Hill Town Under 18s player Noah McHale.
Despite all the new faces, the Robins gelled quickly and played some excellent football. The only criticism there could be of their performance was that it was not clinical enough.
Hassocks missed a glut of opportunities which they may not get away with against other sides in the division.
Josh Nandhra marked his first appearance in Robins colours with a goal whilst Turner did likewise on his comeback.
The goal of the night came from George Mercer, scoring with a lovely free kick which gave the Redhill goalkeeper no chance.
Hassocks play their first home game of the campaign against Broadbridge Heath next Thursday in a match which pits the 2022-23 North Division winners against the 2021-22 champions.
The Bears will arrive at the Beacon full of confidence having opened their season with a huge 6-0 win away at Horley Town.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Charlie Fogden, Dan Turner, Billy Dove, Ben Hicks, Alfie Loversidge, Sam Fernley, Noah McHale, George Mercer, Sam Geard Josh Nandhra.
Subs: Kian Nandhra, Julian Durand, George Gladding (used).
