Four different scorers send Hassocks to derby day victory
Four different players were on the scoresheet as Hassocks Under 23s came away with a 4-1 victory from the short trip to face local rivals St Francis Rangers at Colwell Road.
This was a welcome return to the sort of routine victory that underpinned the Robins winning the Southern Combination Under 23 North Division title last season, rather than the total chaos that was the previous week’s 7-5 win at Oakwood.
Not even a late change of day could throw the Robins. Having originally been scheduled to make the trip to the Hospital on the Friday, Rangers asked for the tie to be brought forward by 24 hours to Thursday night at short notice.
There were a few intriguing team selections made by Hassocks. Ben Bacon played his first football for two months, a farewell of sorts from the Beacon as he looks set to complete a move to Shoreham in the next few days.
Bacon has struggled for first team football with James Westlake’s first team in such free-scoring form. He has though continued to contribute off the pitch, running training sessions through his Your Peak Performance coaching business.
Everyone at the Beacon will wish Bacon well as he heads to Middle Road. And as a parting gift, he even managed to get on the scoresheet against Rangers.
Another interesting name in the starting XI who joined Bacon in bagging a goal was Leon Turner. The winger earned a reputation as one of the most exciting players in the Southern Combination League last season with his performances for Hassocks.
Ultimately, this secured a move to Isthmian League South East side Littlehampton Town. But with starting opportunities at the Sportsfield limited, Turner turned out for the Robins Under 23s as he looks to get some game time under his belt.
Along with Bacon and Turner coming in, there were four other changes making to make it six in total from the victory against Oakwood eight days earlier.
Josh and Kian Nandhra returned against the club they were registered with last season before swapping the Hospital for the Beacon.
George Mercer was promoted into the starting XI and Jack Thomas returned in goal in place of Jayden Dunkley.
The others missing were Sam Smith and Harvey Blake, now back in first team contention having used the trip to Tinsley Road to get minutes under their belts. Billy Dove dropped down to the bench along with Under 18s team duo Sam Fernley and Alex Wintle.
Joining Bacon and Turner on the scoresheet, youth team striker Jack Duckett made it two goals in as many appearances for the Under 23s.
The fourth and final Hassocks goal came from substitute Julian Durand with his first since an early red card in the 4-1 defeat at Broadbridge Heath last month.
Rudi Robertson claimed the Rangers consolation in the 85th minute, denying Thomas and his defence what would have been their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Ben Hicks, Dan Turner, George Mercer, Noah McHale, Kian Nandhra, Nathan Miles, Jack Duckett, Leon Turner, Josh Nandhra, Ben Bacon.
Subs: Julian Durand, Sam Fernley, Alex Wintle, Wes Tighe, Billy Dove (used).
