Hassocks hit Heath for five in opening day Mid Sussex Derby win
The Southern Combination Under 18 Central Division campaign kicked off with a Mid Sussex Derby between Haywards Heath Town and Hassocks at the Home Smart Energy Stadium.
Heath took local bragging rights the last time the sides met in the final game of last season, winning 2-1 at the Beacon on a day when the Robins were hoping to celebrate finishing runners up in the league.
This year’s Under 18s squad gained revenge for that defeat and in some style, running out 5-1 winners over the Bluebells.
The result was a continuation of an impressive run of pre-season results for the young Robins. Hassocks have racked up big wins against Isthmian League opponents, leaving everyone involved excited about what the season ahead might hold.
And it did not take long for the Robins to get up and running with the competitive action underway. 12 minutes to be precise.
Leo Charman was the player who opened the scoring with his first goal in Hassocks colours, continuing a fine start to the campaign which has seen him force his way into the Under 23s squad.
The second came from summer signing Oscar Kemp, scoring against the Heath side he left to move to the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground.
Kemp has been named Under 18s captain and already has an Under 23s goal and first team assist to his name from his respective debuts.
Another new recruit added the third Hassocks goal just three minutes after Kemp struck. Charlie Bonwick-Adams gave an energetic performance down the flank, showing why he scored his fair share for Burgess Hill Town last season.
With the game effectively won before the half hour mark, Hassocks made the most of their rolling substitutes to give their four outfield subs significant run outs.
Plenty of chances were fashioned despite all the changes, although the Robins did have to wait until the final 10 minutes to add their fourth and fifth goals of the morning.
Bonwick-Adams had only been back on the pitch for five minutes after taking a quarter of an hour breather when he completed a debut brace.
And in keeping with the theme of debutants scoring, Nye Sim rounded things off on 86 minutes having come on for Fletcher Fane at half time.
Nine players in total made their debuts. Kemp, Bonwick-Adams, Fane, Harry Hammond, Kai Birchley, Scott Smith and Wilf Jenkins were all in the starting XI. Sim and Ethan Brasier joined them from the bench.
Next for the Robins is a Sussex Dennis Probee Youth Cup first round tie at home to Ringmer next Sunday. Kick off is 11am at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground.
Hassocks: George Lythgoe, Harry Hammond, George Drake, Leo Charman, Kai Birchley, Charlie Bonwick-Adams, Scott Smith, Wilf Jenkins, Oliver Goswamy, Oscar Kemp, Fletcher Fane.
Subs: Ethan Brasier, Nye Sim, Ben Foster, Will Hartley (used).
