Hassocks halt high flying Horsham YMCA with five goal showing
At the end of a turbulent few days, Hassocks Under 23s delivered an excellent performance to beat Horsham YMCA 5-2 at the Beacon.
The Robins’ saw head coach Neil Parker step down earlier in the week after 15 months in the job. Parker became the first ever manager to lead a Hassocks Under 23s side to silverware, winning the North Division title in memorable campaign last time out. Everyone at the Beacon wishes him well for whatever is next for him in football.
Hassocks acted quickly to replace Parker, putting together an interim coaching team which will see the side through the next month before a long term decision is made.
Included in the new setup are Phil Wickwar, who is now into his 27th different role since first arriving at the club as a teenager some 40-odd years ago. Former Robins centre back Will Broomfield is also helping out, having assisted Parker in the past.
Broomfield’s experience in matters such as being a ball playing, cultured defending and being able to walk down a set of stairs with a pint balanced on his head will no doubt prove invaluable to what is one of the youngest Under 23s squads in the North Division.
A quick glance at the league table was indicative of the tough test Hassocks would face against YM, who sat third with only one defeat so far to their name.
Most notable was their goal scoring record. In just five matches, YM had scored 26 times. Their previous two outings had resulted in a 7-0 win over Oakwood and an 11-0 victory at St Francis Rangers.
A Hassocks defence which had kept its first clean sheet of the season in last week’s 3-0 win over Roffey looked set to be tested against YM.
The Robins made four changes from the side who had beaten the Boars. Bradley Tighe replaced younger brother Wes which hopefully did not lead to any arguments over the dinner table.
Sam Fernley and George Mercer were absent whilst Sam Geard has moved to Haywards Heath Town in search of first team football.
Joining the elder Tighe brother into coming into the side were Ben Hicks, Alex Wintle and Nathan Miles. Yes, you have read that correctly. And no, the world has not gone back to 2017.
Miles has rejoined the Robins from Shoreham and featured as one of the permitted overage players as he attempts to build up some fitness.
Hassocks wasted no time in setting about their task and led 4-0 within 37 minutes, catching YM completely by surprise.
The experienced Tom Tolfrey puled one back for the visitors on 42 and when Tariq Vincent made it 4-2 six minutes after the break, the question was could a comeback be on?
No was the answer as Hassocks added their fifth on 57 minutes to wrap the three points. Josh Nandhra scored two of the Robins goals, brother Kian and Alex Winter one whilst YM also put through their own net.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Ben Hicks, Dan Turner, Bradley Tighe, Noah McHale, Kian Nandhra, Lewis Westlake, Josh Mundy, Alex Wintle, Josh Nandhra, Nathan Miles.
Subs: Cavan Chedzey, Oliver Parker-Williams, Wes Tighe, Billy Dove, Julian Durand (used).
