Hassocks haunt Rangers by dishing out a Halloween hammering
Halloween for Hassocks Under 23s was spent in the scary surroundings of St Francis Hospital – but the Robins found little to be frightened off as they eased to a 5-1 win.
And when results elsewhere in the Southern Combination Under 23 North Division came in, it proved to be a night of treats rather than tricks.
A 5-2 defeat for Horley Town away at Loxwood meant Hassocks closed to within three points of the league leaders with two games in hand.
There was a more experienced look to the Robins starting XI for this local derby against St Franics Rangers than in recent weeks where Hassocks have selected a number of Under 18s.
Jack Troak came in as his return from injury gathers speed. On the opposite flank was another first team winger in Tom Frakland whilst Charlie Pitcher was a surprise inclusion leading the line.
Pitcher has re-joined the Robins for a fourth spell from Crawley Down Gatwick. His transfer was not expected to go through until Friday but was processed surprisingly quickly, meaning Hassocks were able to get minutes under Pitcher’s belt on one his many former stomping grounds.
At the other end of the age and experience spectrum, Ben Foster was handed a full debut in defence with captain Ben Hicks absent and Jack Duckett made his first start of the season.
Rangers came into the game with a bit of confidence behind them having picked up their first point of the campaign at the sixth time of asking seven days earlier when holding Horsham YMCA to a 1-1 draw at the Hospital.
But the Robins possessed far too much quality for their Mid Sussex rivals and were able to run out comfortable victors without hitting anywhere near top gear.
Pitcher marked his return and justified the late call to make the short journey around the corner from his home with a goal.
He was one of five different players on the scoresheet for Hassocks, who were playing only their second North Division away game of the season just the 10 weeks after the first.
It is not just the first team who have had a home-heavy opening start to the campaign foisted upon them.
Duckett made the most of his opportunity by opening his account for the season whilst defender Leo Charman made it two goals in his last three Under 23s appearances.
Kian Nandhra moved onto six for the campaign as he looks to overtake Cavan Chedzey, now scoring goals for Roffey’s first team but still Hassocks Under 23s top scorer after plundering nine in five matches.
Substitute George Gladding rounded off the scoring as well as picking up the Robins’ only booking of the night.
Hassocks: Fraser Trigwell, Alex Wintle, Leo Charman, Ben Foster, Noah McHale, Tom Frankland, Jack Duckett, Evan China, Jack Troak, Charlie Pitcher, Kian Nandhra.
Subs: George Gladding, Liam Deere, Jack Smith, Oliver Parker-Williams, Ethan Brasier
