Three goals from the bench deliver Robins revenge on Lingfield
Five weeks ago, Hassocks Under 23s suffered their heaviest defeat for many years when being thrashed 6-1 away at Lingfield.
Not only did the Robins extract revenge on Lingfield when the sides met in the return match at the Beacon, but they almost repaired the damage to their goal difference too.
An excellent 5-1 victory saw three goals come from the bench as Hassocks showed off their increasing squad depth, moving to the top of the Southern Combination League North Division in the process.
Keeping so many good players happy is going to be quite the challenge for the Robins’ interim management team, who continue to do an excellent job following the departure of Neil Parker last month.
Having made six changes between the 7-5 win over Oakwood and last week’s 4-1 success at St Francis Rangers, this time there were four adjustments to the starting XI from victory at Colwell Road.
Ben Bacon has completed his move to Shoreham and Nathan Miles was rested on account of him starting for the first team in Tuesday night’s 3-1 Sussex Senior Cup exit at East Grinstead Town.
Neither Kian or Josh Nandhra were available either having tormented their former club Rangers seven days earlier, much to the befuddlement of St Francis boss Del Tobias. Coming into the side were teenagers Sam Fernley, Alex Wintle and Oliver Parker-Williams.
The fourth new face was a surprising and welcome return for Jack Troak, playing his first football since fracturing his collarbone in the FA Cup extra preliminary round against Erith Town at the Beacon back in August.
Heavy rain throughout Thursday evening left the Beacon surface fast and slick and that suited Hassocks, who zipped the ball around brilliantly at times.
When the Robins were not passing, they were able to use the pace and directness of Troak and Leon Turner down the flanks to cause Lingfield all kinds of problems.
It was a far cry from the performance and result against the same opponents at the New Defence earlier in the campaign.
Turner made it two goals from two games since his return from Littlehampton Town, whilst Under 18s striker Jack Duckett is in an equally hot streak of form. His goal was third in as many games for the Under 23s.
Notching as substitutes were Billy Dove, Julian Durand and Micael Fatela. Hassocks have been waiting some time for Fatela to receive international clearance but the patience will have been justified if his exciting cameo here was anything to go by.
The visitors’ goal also came from a substitute, Ashley Aderemi providing the Lingfield consolation. Hassocks now take a break from league action with their next assignment in the Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup away at Bexhill United.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Ben Hicks, Dan Turner, George Mercer, Noah McHale, Sam Fernley, Alex Wintle, Jack Duckett, Leon Turner, Jack Troak, Oliver Parker-Williams.
Subs: Julian Durand, Micael Fatela, Billy Dove, Jack Smith, Wes Tighe (used).
