Robins return to action with romping victory over Redhill
After two postponements to start 2024, Hassocks Under 23s finally played their first game of the new year when welcoming Redhill to the Beacon.
The wait proved to be worthwhile as the Robins ran out 6-1 winners, leapfrogging both Broadbridge Heath and Lingfield to move to the top of the Southern Combination Under 23 North Division in the process.
A fortnight earlier and Hassocks had seen their trip to Horsham YMCA lost to a waterlogged pitch. The weather turned from wet to cold a week ago, meaning that a potentially pivotal game in the title race against leaders Broadbridge Heath was postponed because of a frozen pitch.
As a result, Hassocks had only played one competitive game since the end of November, beating Hailsham Town 8-1 in the second round of the League Cup a little under two weeks before Christmas.
You had to go back to November 23rd to find their most recent outing in the North Division, a 4-1 success at Steyning Town.
There was something of a danger therefore that the Robins might come into the game with Redhill a little rusty and lacking match practice.
Those fears were soon allayed though as Hassocks dominated proceedings in what ended up being a comfortable victory.
The Robins made three changes from the team who beat Hailsham last time out. First team wingers Alfie Loversidge and Tom Frankland came in as they seek minutes on their return from recent injuries.
Under 18s top scorer Cavan Chedzey was the other player recalled, fresh from notching his 16th goal in 13 appearances for the Young Robins in their 4-2 win over Lancing on Sunday.
Hassocks were without the holidaying Nathan Miles and Alex Fair, who has scored twice in three first team starts since his repertoire of Cruyff Turns appeared briefly for the Under 23s against the Stringers.
Micael Fatela meanwhile has signed for Billingshurst with the aim of getting senior experience in Southern Combination Division One before returning to the Beacon and pushing for a first team spot next season.
Four of the Hassocks goals were scored by two of the players introduced to the side. Redhill struggled to cope with Loversidge all evening and he bagged a brace, making it three goals in four Under 23s appearances this season.
Chedzey has an equally impressive record. His two goals past the Lobsters moved him onto six in eight. Combining Chedzey’s Under 23s tally with his total for the Under 18s makes for an impressive 22 goals from 21 games across both teams.
The other Robins goals came from Julian Durand and substitute Evan China with his first for the Under 23s. China netting means six different Under 18s players have now scored for the Under 23s this season.
Not content with putting away six at one end, Hassocks even had the good grace to provide Redhill with their consolation via an own goal.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Ben Hicks, Dan Turner, Billy Dove, Sam Fernley, Tom Frankland, Noah McHale, Alex Wintle, Alfie Loversidge, Cavan Chedzey, Julian Durand.
Subs: Kian Nandhra, Wes Tighe, Charlie Fogden, Sam Dean, Evan China (used).
