Close run thing as table topping Robins just about see off Oaks
Top hosted bottom in the Southern Combination Under 23 North Division at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground, where the scoreline was a lot closer than the league table before the game would have predicted.
The Robins were nowhere near their best against Oakwood, perhaps suffering from a hangover from the high of last Thursday night’s Sussex Under 23 Cup semi final win over Eastbourne Town.
Yet they managed to get the job done as goals from Ethan Brasier and Jack Duckett secured a 2-1 win over a plucky Oaks outfit.
A heavy pitch ended up proving a bit of a leveller, although Hassocks could and probably should have been out of sight in the first half.
Kian Nandhra forced a good save from the Oakwood goalkeeper inside the first five minutes, followed by Jack Duckett side footing a Sam Fernley cross wide from close range.
Nandhra was enjoying himself in a slightly deeper role than normal and soon glided effortlessly past three blue shirts before firing just past the upright.
A lovely move gave the Robins the lead midway through the half. Duckett clipped a great ball between two defenders which Brasier chased onto, beating the advancing goalkeeper with a clinical finish.
Captain Ben Hicks was not far away from finally scoring his first Hassocks goal with a 35 yard drive after stepping out of defence to link up with the impressive Fernley.
Brasier then spurned a great chance to add his and Hassocks’ second of the night. The chance came from Will being quick off his line to smash an Oaks through ball away.
Mizon’s clearance eventually found its way to Brasier, who surged past a visiting defender and rounded the goalkeeper but could only find the side netting.
Duckett doubled the advantage just before the break, producing a beautifully deft finish after giving the Oakwood number one the eyes to send him the diving the wrong way.
The Robins switched goalkeepers at the break, bringing on George Lythgoe from the Under 18s for his Under 23s debut.
Lythgoe was soon called into action, gathering bravely at the feet of an Oaks attacker as the visitors mustered their first attack of the evening.
Dan Allen put a header off target and then saw one brilliantly saved, followed by the visiting custodian going full stretch to deny Evan China.
A nervy last three minutes were set up when a great one-touch passing move through four Oakwood players got Finnegan Fraser in for a one-on-one finish.
Hassocks though held on for to make it eight successive victories in all competitions – whilst Oakwood deserve credit for running the Robins closest of all in that sequence.
Hassocks: Will Mizon, Sam Fernley, Dan Allen, Ben Hicks, Charlie Fogden, Noah McHale, George Gladding, Evan China, Kian Nandhra, Ethan Brasier, Liam Deere.
Subs: Jack Duckett, George Lythgoe, Luke Hendy, Alex Wintle, Ed Tobias (used).
