Robins into Dennis Probee fourth round after hitting Lions for six
For the third time this season, Hassocks Under 18s racked up a big victory in the Sussex Dennis Probee Youth Cup.
Having routed Ringmer 7-0 in round one and eased past Eastbourne Town 12-0 in round two, the Robins paraded past Pagham in round three with a 6-1 win at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground.
Their reward is a home tie against Isthmian side Hastings United in the round four of the competition.
Pull off an upset and the Robins will be just one win away from reaching the semi finals for only the second time since the youth team of current Hassocks chairman Super Pat Harding lifted the trophy in 2002.
This was a morning of football which had everything. A four-goal haul for Scott Smith, an own goal from one of his teammates and one red card for either side.
The drama began before the game had even kicked off when George Lythgoe was injured in the warmup, necessitating a late change to Hassocks’ goalkeeper plans with Theo Bradley taking over between the sticks.
That was one of three changes Hassocks made from the XI who beat Burgess Hill Town last weekend to blow the Southern Combination Under 18 Central Division title race wide open.
Harry Hammond, Oliver Goswamy and Wilf Jenkins were all absent. Into the side came Ben Foster, George Drake and Ethan Brasier.
The Robins own goal gave Pagham an early lead but by the time the interval rolled around, Hassocks were both level and down to 10 men.
Fletcher Fane was the recipient of a straight red card, meaning the Robins have now had two players sent off in two games within seven days of each other.
Quite impressive when you consider there was probably a gap of seven years between the two preceding reds.
Hassocks moved 2-1 ahead early in the second half, after which the Pagham goalkeeper was given his marching orders.
The Lions having to see out the game with an outfield player in goal ultimately led to the floodgates opening with four more flying past the hapless stand in.
Smith scoring four times was particularly impressive given he played at right back. Brasier and substitute Nye Sim were the other Robins on target.
There was another nice moment when Hayden Wickwar came on for his debut, dad Phil having been in the first Hassocks Under 18s team set up by Dave John 34 years ago.
Hayden managed a far better first appearance than his father’s senior debut, Wickwar being sent off less than 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Hassocks: Theo Bradley, Scott Smith, Leo Charman, Ben Forster, Evan China, George Drake, Kai Birchley, Charlie Bonwick-Adams, Oscar Kemp, Ethan Brasier, Fletcher Fane.
Subs: Nye Sim, Charlie Clayton, Regan Davis, Hayden Wickwar (used).
