Brewer bags four to get Young Robins off to perfect start
On a baking hot Sunday morning at the Beacon, Hassocks proved too hot to handle as they got their Southern Combination League Under 18 North Division season off to the perfect start against Shoreham.
It finished 6-1 to the Robins, although the final score was a little harsh on the visitors. The Musselmen were hard working throughout and Hassocks only began to run away with things into the second half, partly because Shoreham began to tire in the searing heat having arrived with 11 players and no substitutes.
Hassocks finished a distant third in the standings last season behind Mid Sussex rivals St Francis Rangers and Burgess Hill Town.
The Robins cup form though was excellent as they advanced all the way to the semi finals of both the Sussex Dennis Probee Under 18s Cup and the Southern Combination Youth League Cup.
Those extended runs showed Hassocks could beat anyone on their day. The challenge for 2023-24 therefore is to show greater consistency in the bread and butter of the Central Division.
A large number of the Robins’ 2022-23 squad remain eligible for Under 18s football for the new campaign, meaning it has been a summer of evolution rather than revolution in terms of signings.
Five new players were in the starting XI for the Shoreham game. Theo Bradley lined up in goal, joined by Will Hartley, Evan China, Cavan Chedzey and Charlie Fogden.
China and Chedzey have already impressed suitably to have turned out for the Under 23s this season. Chedzey marked his first appearance for Neil Parker’s side with an outrageous consolation goal from 40 yards in Thursday’s 4-1 defeat away at Broadbridge Heath.
Fogden meanwhile is dual-signed from Whitehawk Under 18s and is quite possibly the first ever player in Hassocks history to make his first team debut before his youth team bow.
He came off the bench to replace Joe Bull at left back during Tuesday night’s 3-1 win, ironically also against Shoreham.
As for the returning players, they were Ben Foster, George Gladding, Oliver Goswamy, Sam Dean, Sam Fernley and Alex Brewer.
Brewer is another to have forced himself into first team contention through his scoring exploits, including 21 goals from 21 appearances last season.
He wasted no time in setting about plundering even more in the new campaign, providing four of the six goals scored by Hassocks.
Fernley joined Brewer on the scoresheet with the rout rounded off by debutant Hartley. Marley Green provided Shoreham with their consolation.
Two more players made their first appearances for the Robins from the bench, Marko Gabric and Jack Wood impressing with some neat touches once introduced.
All in all, an excellent morning for Hassocks. The Robins hit the road next week for an eagerly anticipated Mid Sussex Derby away at Haywards Heath Town.
Hassocks: Theo Bradley, George Gladding, Will Hartley, Ben Foster, Charlie Fogden, Sam Fernley, Sam Dean, Oliver Goswamy, Evan China, Alex Brewer, Cavan Chedzey.
Subs: Marko Gabric, Jack Wood (used).
