Robins frustrated as familiar foes Lingfield leave with all three points
Lingfield Under 23s have caused their fair share of problems for the Robins over recent years and this time it was enough to see them run out 3-1 winners at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground.
It was a night which showcased what an exciting Southern Combination Under 23 North Division title race we could be in for this year – and not just in BN6.
At the same time as the Robins saw their 100 percent start to the season ended, reigning champions Broadbridge Heath were beaten 5-2 at home by Horley Town.
Hassocks made a decent start against the Lingers. Harry Furnell lifted a Sam Fernley cross just over the bar. The Lingers goalkeeper then punched a Tom Frankland delivery away under pressure from Furnell.
It was against the run of play when Aaron Kiberu headed Lingfield into a 20th minute lead after being left totally unmarked from a free kick delivered deep to the far post.
The Robins almost responded instantly. A fine double save denied Oscar Kemp from distance and the follow up from Cavan Chedzey.
Lingfield doubled their advantage seven minutes before half time. Hassocks were caught trying to play out from the back, giving Kharvan Williams the chance to drill into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Undeterred, Hassocks continued to attack. Nobody in red could connect with a Frankland cross fizzed across the face of goal and Chedzey again found himself frustrated by the Lingers number one, saving one-on-one from Hassocks’ top scorer.
It was deep into injury time when the Robins pulled one back. Frankland sent a free kick 50 yards down the pitch and captain Dan Turner timed his run perfectly to get clear and power a header home.
That set up an intriguing second half. The Robins went straight on the attack and it was not long before Noah Hoffmann saw an effort heroically cleared off the line. An incredible save onto the bar at point blank range denied Alex Winter from the resulting corner.
Turner almost scored an early Goal of the Season candidate with a powerful drive from 40 yards just wide but as Hassocks began to throw more men forward in an attempt to find an equaliser, they left themselves open at the back.
Lingfield took full advantage, wrapping up the game with a counter-attacking third on 75 minutes. Ramone Lewis escaped down the left, got slightly lucky with a few ricochets as Hassocks attempted to tackle before lashing home off the bar from a matter of yards.
The final 15 saw the outstanding Lingfield goalkeeper to make another fantastic save from Chedzey and deny Turner with a more routine block, sending the Robins to a first defeat of the campaign.
Hassocks: Will Mizon, Tom Frankland, Ed Tobias, Dan Turner, Sam Fernley, Harry Furnell, Dylan Hurst, Oscar Kemp, Alex Wintle, Noah Hoffmann, Cavan Chedzey.
Subs: Will Varley, Jack Smith, Billy Dove, Leo Charman, Max Ward (used).
