Terrific 10 man Robins come from behind to defeat league leaders Hill
It is title race on in the Southern Combination Under 18 Central Division after 10 man Hassocks came from behind to win 2-1 against Burgess Hill Town.
On a morning of high drama at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground, the young Robins gave one of their most accomplished performances for many years to secure one of their most impressive results.
Hill arrived as both league leaders and reigning champions. They won last season’s title by seven points from Hassocks, although the margin of was not without controversy.
12 of the Hillians’ points from March onwards came from walkovers where opponents failed to raise a team – including Lancing and Haywards Heath Town, both of whom took points off Hassocks and could feasibly have done the same to Hill.
Not that the Robins want to be relying on others in this season’s championship race. Having lost at Montpelier Villa back in September, Hassocks knew defeat to Hill would be a huge blow to their hopes of keeping pace with their local rivals.
The Robins were boosted by the return of captain Oscar Kemp to the starting XI, one of only two changes from the side who beat Mile Oak 5-1 away from home last Sunday.
Kemp replaced top scorer Nye Sim, who dropped down to the bench. Evan China meanwhile came in on the left for Liam Deere, necessitating Oliver Goswamy moving inside and Fletcher Fane dropping back into a more defensive midfield role.
From the first whistle, it was obvious this would be a fiercely contested battle. The Hillians are a younger, more technical side.
Whilst Hassocks have a fine group of footballers as well, they do not shy away from the physical aspect of the game and had a noticeable size advantage over the visitors.
It looked like the first half was going to finish goalless right up until the 44th minute when Hill took the lead.
Hassocks were dealt what appeared a further blow on the hour mark when Harry Hammond picked up his second yellow of the morning.
With Scott Smith, Charlie Bonwick-Adams and China also booked, this was not a game for the feint hearted.
But going down to 10 served only to galvanise the Robins. They fought harder and were able to outplay the Hillians by turning the match into more of a battle.
This eventually led to Kemp equalising on 70 . Hill look deflated whilst Hassocks seized on the momentum shift when Goswamy scored what proved to be the winner just four minutes later.
The Robins were then magnificent defensively through the final 15, soaking up pressure to secure a victory which could be huge for the season ahead.
Hassocks: George Lythgoe, Harry Hammond, Kai Birchley, Fletcher Fane, Leo Charman, Scott Smith, Charlie Bonwick-Adams, Wilf Jenkins, Oliver Goswamy, Oscar Kemp, Evan China.
Subs: Nye Sim, Ethan Brasier, George Drake (used), Ben Foster, Will Hartley (unused).
