Robins crush Crows to wrap up first Southern Combination title in style
If you are going to win your first senior trophy in 123 years, you might as well do in in style. And Hassocks certainly did that, beating nearest pursuers Crowborough Athletic 3-0 to secure the Southern Combination League title with five games still to play.
Many words will undoubtedly be written about this season. But it feels worth reiterating the Robins have been crowned champions without paying their players a single penny.
It is an achievement unheard of at this level of football and credit to James Westlake and the squad he is put together, many of whom have turned down money offers from elsewhere to buy into this most unlikely Hassocks success story.
One man who deserves equal plaudits but tends to shun the limelight is chairman Pat Harding. Running a non league football club is a thankless task yet in Super Pat, the Robins have fallen on their feet.
Less than 12 months into the role and he has taken Hassocks onto another level. Both in terms of bringing Isthmian League football to a small village and through the infrastructure and fanbase now turning out to watch. Over 800 were at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground for this one.
And in a sign of the community club this is, many of those joined the players in celebratory tipples back at the stadium sponsor pub long into Saturday night.
Which included Jack Troak wearing a robin mask, stood on a table leading a chant of “Championes ole ole ole.”
The relaxed, party atmosphere of the evening was in stark contrast to how the game started. You could cut the tension with a knife, even though Hassocks knew they could afford to lose and still need only six points from 15 to win the title.
Neither side really created anything through the opening half hour, except Josh Mundy rattling the bar. It was a stunning effort hit 30 yards out from the young midfielder, who has been outstanding for the Robins this season.
After smashing into the woodwork, the ball cannoned into the back of Crows goalkeeper Charlie Holmwood.
Normally, you see a moment like that end in an own goal. A combination of quick reactions and some fortune meant Holmwood was able to grab the ball.
Many in the crowd wondered if that was a sign of Hassocks’ luck being out. No turned out to be the answer as a defensive mix up from Crowborough allowed the Robins to take the lead on 34 minutes.
Steve Smith failed to get enough leverage on his attempted back header from a Liam Hendy hook forward, allowing Big Alex Fair to latch onto the ball.
The mercurial Fair still had plenty to do. But do it he did. A fantastic first touch was followed by him rounding Holmwood and finishing into the now empty net.
Pitcher bent a low effort just wide on the stroke of half time before a much more entertaining second 45 minutes which ebbed and flowed.
The enigmatic Troak shot narrowly the wrong side of the far post after being played in by an outrageous outside of the boot pass by Pitcher.
Crows top scorer Harry Forster was then unusually wayward with a volley from a Marcus Goldsmith cross with only James Shaw to beat.
Hassocks made the most of that reprieve by scoring twice in 13 minutes. Tall striker Jamie Wilkes played a square pass into Pitcher on 55, who subsequently danced around Goldsmith before finishing past Holmwood with aplomb.
Crowborough clearly had one eye on their Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup final against Eastbourne United on Wednesday night as they rattled through the changes in response to Pitcher scoring, believing the tie and the title were now done.
And Hassocks ensured that was the case by adding a third on 65. Fair sent a long ball forward which substitute Harry Furnell met with an outrageous first touch flick to escape Tom Boddy.
Furnell carried the ball 30 yards, advancing to finish from what initially appeared an impossibly tight angle.
The Crows were gracious in defeat afterwards as Hassocks fans invaded the pitch to celebrate. These sides will meet again in the Peter Bentley Cup final and based on this, it should be a superb encounter.
But for now, Hassocks will concentrate on celebrating. The most unlikely of dreams has come true.
Hassocks: James Shaw; Bradley Tighe, Liam Hendy, Dan Turner, Joe Bull; Alex Fair, Darren Budd, Josh Mundy, Jack Troak; Jamie Wilkes; Charlie Pitcher.
Subs: Harry Furnell (Pitcher 62), Shay Leahy (Fair 74), Harvey Enticknap (Budd 80), Ruari Farrell, Harvey Blake (unused).
We Want Your Car Sussex Starman: Jack Troak.
