Robins move step closer to being runners up with win at Roffey
A day after their hopes of retaining the Southern Combination Under 23 North Division title were confirmed as over, Hassocks put the disappointment behind them to produce a professional performance in winning 3-1 at Roffey.
The Robins had needed Broadbridge Heath to lose on Wednesday night at Oakwood to stand any chance of being crowned back-to-back champions.
At the same time, Hassocks required victory in their two remaining games against the Boars and then on Monday evening when they travel to Horley Town.
Heath though were 2-1 winners against Oakwood, meaning they regain the title they pipped the Robins to in the 2021-22 campaign.
The Bears are deserved winners having lost just one league game all season. As for Hassocks, they can be relatively happy at having pushed an outstanding team so close in the title race.
Not that the season is over quiet yet for the Robins. Three points from Bartholomew Way drew them level with Horsham YMCA, who sit second on account of a vastly superior goal difference.
A draw or better against Horley in four days time will see Hassocks end the campaign as runners up. Doing so would mean the Robins have finished in the top two for five completed seasons in a row going all the way back to 2017-18.
Hassocks made three changes from the side who were beaten 1-0 at home by Steyning Town on Monday night.
Jack Thomas took over in goal from Will Mizon, top scorer Cavan Chedzey was unavailable and Billy Dove dropped down to the bench.
The Robins were boosted by the return of Micael Fatela in midfield after some impressive recent performance for the first team.
Leon Turner also came in having been a used substitute in Tuesday night’s playoff semi final defeat at Eastbourne Town.
Hassocks made light work of Chedzey’s absence thanks largely to Nathan Miles bringing his shooting boots.
Miles scored twice to overtake Chedzey as the top of the scoring charts, moving onto nine for the season from 10 appearances.
Under 18s defender Ed Tobias provided the other Robins goal. It was his first of the season for the Under 23s on only his second start.
Thomas was denied a clean sheet by Reece Nixon notching for a Roffey side who now need six points from their final two fixtures to climb above Horley and into fifth.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Ben Hicks, Charlie Fogden, Ed Tobias, Sam Fernley, Jack Duckett, Noah McHale, Alex Wintle, Micael Fatela, Leon Turner, Nathan Miles.
Subs: Billy Dove, Jack Smith, George Gladding, Evan China, Wes Tighe.
