Robins score six past Saltdean to get their campaign off to a perfect start
Plenty of hard work has been going on behind the scenes this summer at Hassocks Ladies to capitalise in the explosion in popularity women’s football has enjoyed in the wake of England winning Euro 2022.
A recruitment drive. Renewed support from the men’s side of the club. The Ladies have even entered the world of social media at long last. You can follow their own dedicated accounts on Twitter and Instagram by searching for hassocksladiesfc.
Championship side Lewes hosted WSL outfit West Ham United in a pre-season friendly at the Beacon back in August, bringing international players to Hassocks for an afternoon.
An intrigued crowd of more than 300 turned out to watch, adding further fuel to the fire of belief that this could be a big year for the Robins.
Hassocks took all that into their opening game of the season, picking up an excellent 6-1 win away at Saltdean United Development Squad to top the Sussex County Women’s League Premier Division after one week.
The division only has six teams for the 2022-23 campaign, meaning that the Robins will play each opponent three times. Hassocks will fancy their chances of improving on last season’s mid table finish as a result of their strengthening over the summer.
It took the Robins until the middle of November to win a league game in 2021-22. They only picked up their second victory at the start of February.
Something clicked for Hassocks at that point however, and from Valentine’s Day onwards they won eight times in all competitions.
That made Hassocks one of the form teams in the second half of the campaign. It also carried them all the way to the semi finals of the League Cup, where they were defeated by Seaford Town.
Seaford provide the opposition next Sunday in the Robins’ first game at the Beacon – a 2pm kick off with free admission for anyone looking for a football fix the day after the men host Eastbourne United.
The Badgers should provide a sterner test of where Hassocks are at than a young Saltdean side who had no substitutes managed.
Saltdean still deserve credit for the part they played in an entertaining game. They never gave up and demonstrated some nice football which gave the Robins defence something to think about at times.
Hassocks though will always be difficult to stop when Katherine Chappell is in her current run of scoring form.
The majority of Chappell’s 20 goals from 14 appearances last season came during that hot streak from February onwards.
A hat-trick against Saltdean showed that four months off over the summer has not slowed her down. All the while she keeps scoring, Hassocks will fancy their chances of doing well.
Joining Chappell on the scoresheet were Jess Craig, substitute Jodie Johanson and Maddie Cannon with her first goal for the Robins.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Tallie Bright, Kirsten Mair, Emma Flin, Jo Brown, Holly Webb, Jess Craig, Maddie Cannon, Mia Pordage, Katie Read, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Jodie Johanson (used).
