Kemp hits another hat-trick for Robins victory at Varndeanians
It is five wins in a row now for Hassocks Under 18s with 30 goals scored and only two conceded after an Oscar Kemp inspired 4-0 win at AFC Varndeanians.
The Robins captain hit a hat-trick for the second game in succession as Hassocks continue to eat into the lead of Southern Combination Under 18 Central Division leaders Montpelier Villa.
Three points saw Hassocks cut the gap at the top to five with three games in hand. Burgess Hill Town lurk a further three behind the Robins with two extra matches to play of their own. It is shaping up to be a fascinating climax to the campaign.
With plenty of football still to be played in league and two cups, Hassocks rotated their starting XI once again.
Three players came into the side whilst the Robins also made a raft of positional changes against opponents who had suffered just single-goal defeats against both the Hillians and Villa.
Theo Bradley took over in goal. Liam Deere stepped up from the bench and there was a recall for Regan Davis.
Kemp’s hat-trick seven days ago in the 9-0 win over local rivals Haywards Heath arrived in the space of 29 minutes.
His hat-trick at Withdean Stadium came even quicker. Kemp struck on 16, 19 and 35, giving him a 19 minute treble to shave 10 off his effort the previous Sunday. It means Kemp now has four hat-tricks for the campaign, including three in his past four appearances.
Varndeanians will be happy they do not have to see Kemp again this season. His other three goal haul outside of this hot streak came in the previous league meeting with the Vs at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground back in September, helping the Robins to a 5-1 success.
The other two goals that morning came from Nye Sim. He provided Hassocks with their fourth here, underlying his status as something of a super sub by scoring from the bench only seven minutes after coming on.
Sim took over from Charlie Bonwick-Adams with 57 on the clock, going onto wrap up the scoring on 64.
The only disappointment for Hassocks was losing Scott Smith to injury after only a quarter hour had been played.
Having recently begun to establish himself in the Under 23s squad too, it would be a cruel blow for Smith to miss the end-of-season run-in with both sides well in the mix for silverware.
Hassocks: Theo Bradley, Harry Hammond, Regan Davis, Fletcher Fane, Leo Charman, Scott Smith, Charlie Bonwick-Adams, Evan China, Oscar Kemp, Liam Deere, Ethan Brasier.
Subs: George Adlington, George Drake, Nye Sim, Will Hartley, Charlie Clayton (used).
