Hassocks head coach speaks to Steve Bone at the Mid Sussex Times about club record winning run
Hassocks boss James Westlake says his players deserve ‘massive credit’ for a record-equalling run of wins that has put them level on points with the league leaders.
The Robins are behind Newhaven at the top of the Southern Combination Premier Division only on goal difference after a 2-1 win at Peacehaven & Telscombe on Saturday, their seventh league success on the trot.
Hassocks most recently lost on Boxing Day against local rivals Haywards Heath Town. Since then, they have beaten Shoreham, AFC Varndeanians, Loxwood, AFC Uckfield Town, Pagham, Little Common and now the Tye.
Only once before have Hassocks won seven straight in senior football – back in the 2015-16 season, when Westlake was a player.
It was a run of form which pulled the Robins clear of the relegation zone after a sticky start to the campaign.
Bradley Tighe and Nathan Miles are the only other members of the current Hassocks squad to have played alongside Westlake in that record-setting run.
Speaking about his side’s excellent form, Westlake said: “The win at Peacehaven equalled a club record. We hope we will be able to set a new record when we play Crowborough at home on Saturday.”
“The players deserve massive credit with both the performances and results. We have had to win these games in different ways.”
“We’d openly admit that in some of the games we haven’t been at our best but have managed games really well to ensure we pick up the wins.”
“The past three wins have been really important to us on this run considering they have been against three tough opponents.”
“The Little Common victory in particular showed the team spirit, character and togetherness we have among the group.”
“We had injury and illnesses before the game, went down to 10 men, were playing into a horrific headwind and somehow we found a way to win.”
Westlake is reluctant to make predictions about where the Robins might finish with 10 games of the campaign left to play.
“It is very cliched but we are just taking every game as it comes,” he said. “There is no pressure on us, we aren’t supposed to be where we are in the table.”
“We are enjoying the ride and seeing where we end up come the last game of the season. It’s been a real team effort. Everyone has played their part and we are going to need all the players between now and the end.”
Their next two games are at home to fellow contenders Crowborough and Steyning, and Westlake added: “They’re extremely tough tests but these are the games we want to be involved in.”
Alex Fair and Leon Turner missed the Peacehaven game on Saturday but could return, but skipper Alex Bygraves has a knee injury.
