Rampant Robins sign off for 2021 with derby day win over Rangers
Hassocks Under 23s will not want 2021 to end. For the second game running, the Robins put their opponents to the sword by scoring all their goals in another blistering first half of football.
A fortnight ago, it was Alfold who were blown away as Hassocks rampaged into a 4-0 lead inside of a little over half an hour at the Recreation Ground.
It was not quite as convincing this time around against St Francis Rangers as the Robins went into the break 3-1 ahead, but the opposition being Hassocks’ local rivals made this arguably a sweeter victory than that previous success at Alfold.
The Robins had not expected to welcome Rangers to the Beacon this side of Christmas, the first Mid Sussex Derby of the campaign at Under 23 level being a late addition to the fixture last.
Hassocks though would have welcomed it. Last week’s scheduled visit of Steyning Town was called off only a few hours before kick off with the Barrowmen unable to raise a side.
That cancellation denied the Robins the chance to try and close the gap to runaway North Division leaders Broadbridge Heath, leaving Hassocks bitterly disappointed.
Unfortunately for Rangers, they ended up being on the end of the Robins’ wrath. Three goals in 39 minutes for Hassocks moved them to within four points of the table topping Bears, although Broadbridge Heath do have a game in hand.
What made this result even more impressive is that it was achieved with six changes from the starting XI against Alfold.
Ryan West took over from Harvey Parker in goal. Kobe Dersley was given a rare start, Sean McSwiney was promoted from the bench and Archie Russell came back into the attack.
Two first team players were also involved, Josh Short coming in along with Josh Hawkes who was deployed in a more attacking role than he is normally used to – an early Christmas present for the elder statesman of the side.
Jack Troak was rewarded for scoring twice at Alfold by missing out altogether (although that may have something to do with a long-awaited first team return following injury for Saturday’s clash with Premier Division leaders Saltdean United).
Jack Baden nailing down the left back slot in the senior setup means he too was not risked for the Under 23s. Louis Thwaites and Jay Hudson dropped to the bench with Luke Marshall missing out completely.
Hawkes was soon thriving in his advanced position, getting his first goal in Hassocks colours since returning to the Beacon from Loxwood in October with only eight minutes on the clock.
Rangers levelled things up on the half hour mark via Adam Lindo and the visitors must have thought they had done enough to get into the break on terms with Hassocks as it remained 1-1 up until the 41st minute.
That was when Under 18s striker Russell decided to score his fourth goal of the season for the Under 23s to put the Robins 2-1 ahead.
There was further drama to come before the break, Short scoring in the second minute of time added on to make it 3-1 to Hassocks.
The second half never lived up the to the entertainment of the first, not that anyone with home connections minded as Hassocks signed off for the year with another excellent three points.
Hassocks: Ryan West, George Mercer, Kobe Dersley, Arthur Rawlingson, Sean McSwiney, Jude Wallis, Harvey Ransome, Josh Short, Ben Hicks, Archie Russell, Josh Hawkes.
Subs: Jay Hudson, Louis Thwaites, Charlie Tuck, Sean McSwiney (used).
