Robins make most of unexpected home advantage to catch out Musselmen
Unexpected home advantage was given to Hassocks Under 18s against Shoreham and they made the most of it to run out 3-1 winners.
With Shoreham facing a fixture backlog and the rain continuing to fall relentlessly into April, the Musselmen asked if the Beacon could host with Middle Road waterlogged.
Hassocks were happy to help and subsequently picked up three points in their penultimate game of the campaign to remain one point behind leaders Burgess Hill Town.
The Robins had inflicted a first defeat of the season on Hill seven days ago. And whilst Hassocks were busy beating Shoreham, the Hillians only just squeaked past Saltdean United 3-2 at Hill Park.
Is the title race still on? Probably not. Burgess Hill have a game in hand, winning which guarantees they will be crowned champions.
Hassocks are at least certain of second spot, an improvement on last season’s third and a fine achievement for what is still a young team.
The Robins had started the season scoring and conceding goals for fun. There has been a marked improvement in the defensive side of their game over the campaign, as highlighted by a the clean sheet recorded when beating Hill 1-0 last week.
Hassocks made only two changes from the side who saw off the champions-elect, coming at opposite ends of the pitch.
George Lythgoe took over from Theo Bradley in goal whilst the Robins were boosted by the availability of Josh Nandhra, despite Whitehawk having a busy finish to their Isthmian League Premier Division season.
Scorer of last week’s only goal Toby Munt dropped down to the bench, although both he and Bradley did receive plenty of game time as second half substitutes.
The Robins’ leading scorer Cavan Chedzey strengthened his position at the top of the charts with two goals, moving onto 22 for the season in the process.
Now over five goals clear of any other player in the Southern Combination League Under 18 Central Division, he seems certain to win the section’s golden boot award. Evan China was the other Hassocks scorer, popping up with his third of the campaign.
For Shoreham, substitute Marley Green provided a late consolation to deny Lythgoe and his defence a shutout.
Hassocks round off their campaign at home to Haywards Heath Town next Sunday; a game not to be missed even if the title race is done and dusted barring a surprise collapse from the Hillians.
Not only is there the local derby element at play, but the Robins and Bluebells were involved in a nine-goal thriller earlier in the season edged 5-4 by Hassocks at the Home Smart Energy Stadium.
Kick off is 11am at the Beacon.
Hassocks: George Lythgoe, Charlie Fogden, Evan China, Ed Tobias, Sam Fernley, Kian Nandhra, Sam Dean, Connor O’Farrell, George Drake, Josh Nandhra, Cavan Chedzey.
Subs: Toby Munt, Will Varley, Oliver Goswamy, Ben Foster, Theo Bradley.
