Robins head coach spoke to Steve Bone at the Mid Sussex Times after the opening month of the 2024-25 campaign
James Westlake believes there is more to come from Hassocks after the Robins went unbeaten through the opening month of the Southern Combination League Premier Division season.
Five wins and a draw from six matches so far leaves Hassocks in second place going into September with just Peacehaven & Telscombe one point ahead.
The Robins rounded off August with two big victories against sides who arrived at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground above them in the standings.
Crawley Down Gatwick were hammered 4-1 before Hassocks became the first side to beat Petersfield Town this season.
Knockout competition form has been equally impressive. The Robins have navigated two tricky ties against lower division opponents in the FA Vase and Peter Bentley League Cup, seeing off Storrington and Infinity respectively.
The only defeat Hassocks have suffered from nine games so far came in the final minutes of the FA Cup extra preliminary round against local rivals Haywards Heath Town.
“It has been a really positive start to the season and as a management team, we are pleased,” Westlake told Steve Bone at the Mid Sussex Times.
“The group feel like we haven’t played our best football yet and there is plenty more to come, so to get results we have feeling that way is a positive.”
Hassocks reached the playoffs last season, setting a club-record for most points in a Premier Division campaign.
Westlake spoke of the importance of keeping the players who delivered that success at the club coming into the new season.
“We have been really pleased to keep a core group from last season. This was really important to us as the team built a foundation and set a standard. We are hoping to build on that success with the addition of experience and quality in key positions.”
At the same time, Hassocks have rewarded several young players for their pre-season form in the Under 23s with first team appearances.
Last year’s Under 18s top scorer Cavan Chedzey was handed his senior debut in the win over Storrington, marking the occasion with goal from the bench. Current Under 18s captain Oscar Kemp also came on for his first appearance and grabbed an assist.
“It was great to give Cavan Chedzey and Oscar Kemp their debuts and both deserved their opportunities,” said Westlake.
“Storrington started the game well but our quality showed through the longer the game went on. It was a pleasing win in the end and we are now looking forward to a tough test away at Horley in the next round.”
As for aims for the season, Westlake remained coy. “It’s very early on in the season and we are just taking every game as it comes.”
“Building momentum is important and we want to make sure the group continue to gel as we move into the next few months.”
