First beats third thanks to four different scorers for Hassocks
It was business as usual for Hassocks as they returned to Southern Combination League Under 18s Central Division action with a 4-2 win over Lancing.
The Lancers arrived at the Beacon occupying third spot in the table, six points behind leaders Hassocks. And the visitors gave Hassocks plenty to think about in what was the Robins’ closest run game since the 3-3 draw with Montpelier Villa at the start of November.
In the end, four different scorers helped Hassocks to victory. The Robins once again showed they can plunder goals from anywhere – hence why they have reached the 50 mark in the league already from only 11 matches.
Hassocks have won every game they have played since that trip to Montpelier Villa, racking up fives wins in a row now.
Minimal changes have been made through that run. Once again, the Robins management opted to stick as close as possible to the team who had beaten Roffey 5-0 two weeks ago to move into the third round of the League Cup.
That meant George Lythgoe keeping his place in goal ahead of regular number one Theo Bradley, who was given the chance to showcase his versatility by coming on as an outfield substitute in the second half.
The only adjustment to the starting XI saw Will Hartley rested to the bench after scoring twice against Roffey. His place was taken by Will Varley, getting more minutes under his belt following long term injury.
Not that being amongst the substitutes matter to Hartley. He still managed to net when introduced to the action moving onto seven goals from 13 appearances.
Those numbers are impressive enough on their own; they become even more so when you consider Hartley has made just four starts with his other nine outings coming from the bench.
The first team game’s the previous day with Little Common had been lost to a frozen pitch but the drop in overnight temperatures meant there was little chance of this one 17 hours later going the same way.
It also means the surface was in even more pristine condition than normal, having not been played on since the Ladies 4-0 defeat to Newhaven seven days ago. That lent itself to an excellent game in which both teams played some excellent passing football.
Alongside Hartley on the scoresheet for the Robins were Oliver Goswamy, Charlie Fogden and top the division’s top scorer Cavan Chedzey.
Mohamed Khedidji and Haitham Badri provided the consolations for the Lancers, whilst Ed Tobias was given the perfect excuse to miss more training sessions because of work as a yellow card means he needs to find £12 to keep Dave John happy.
Hassocks: George Lythgoe, Charlie Fogden, Toby Munt, Ed Tobias, Sam Fernley, Kian Nandhra, Oliver Goswamy, Sam Dean, George Gladding, Will Varley, Cavan Chedzey.
Subs: Will Hartley, Evan China, Freddy Searle, Theo Bradley (used).
