Hassocks bounce back by coming from behind to tame Tigers
After last week’s heavy 9-2 exit from the Sussex Dennis Probee Youth Cup away at Crawley Down Gatwick, Hassocks Under 18s got back to winning ways with a 4-1 victory at Saltdean United.
The Robins showed good character to recover from 1-0 down against a Tigers side who have made an excellent start to the season, losing just once so far.
That defeat came at the hands of Burgess Hill Town. With four wins from four, the Hillians appear the early favourites for the Southern Combination Under 18 Central Division title.
Hill Park looked particularly pleasant in the unseasonal October sunshine and Hassocks were in good spirits upon arrival, even after the hammering they took at the hands of the Anvils the previous Sunday.
The Robins welcomed top scorer Alex Brewer back into the starting XI, one of three changes from defeat at the Haven. Oliver Goswamy also returned whilst there was a first start of the season for Toby Munt.
Munt has had to settle for three substitute appearances so far on account of his cricketing commitments and the excellent early season form of the Robins.
Dropping out were Harry Goatcher, Ben Foster and Ed Tobias. Named amongst the substitutes for the first time was Kian Price, who would come on for his Hassocks debut.
Oliver Emery opened the scoring for the Tigers but Hassocks responded well, levelling through Cavan Chedzey.
Alex Brewer notched his ninth of the season from just five appearances to put the Robins ahead with further goals from substitute Will Hartley and Sam Fernley wrapping up the three points.
Saltdean ended the game with only 10 men after Caleb Fidler picked up a second booking. That red card did not really fit in with a game played in the right manner; indeed, Fidler was the only player to receive a yellow. Or in this case, two of them.
Victory kept Hassocks third in the table, moving them five points ahead of Saltdean who stayed fourth. The top three of Lancing, Burgess Hill and the Robins are all level on 12 points, although Hill have a game in hand and possess the only remaining 100 percent record in the division.
Next up for Hassocks is a home game against AFC Varndeanians this coming Sunday. The Robins will be glad to get back to the Beacon after three consecutive away games. Kick off is at 11am.
Hassocks: Theo Bradley, Charlie Fogden, Toby Munt, Oliver Goswamy, Sam Fernley, Kian Nandhra, Sam Dean, George Gladding, Josh Nandhra, Alex Brewer, Cavan Chedzey.
Subs: Will Hartley, Marko Gabric, Kian Price (used).
