Robins ride to easy win at Chessington and move top of the table in the process
Hassocks Under 23s enjoyed their first ever adventure to Chessington & Hook United, where a 4-1 win moved the Robins to the top of the Southern Combination League North Division.
United are newcomers to the Southern Combination for the 2022-23 season. Their first team – who the Robins will face in the FA Vase next weekend – were moved by the FA from the Combined Counties League and to keep things simple, the Under 23s have followed suit.
Having never played each other before at Under 23 level, Hassocks were not sure what to expect from their ride north.
At senior level, the Combined Counties is generally considered stronger. At Under 23s however, the Robins were stepping into the dark like entering a Forbidden Tomb.
In the end, it turned out to be an experience more enjoyable than a turn on Professor Burp’s Bubbleworks for Hassocks thanks to the convincing nature of their win.
They arrived at Chalky Road in good spirits following last week’s excellent 2-0 victory over reigning champions Broadbridge Heath at the Beacon.
Head coach Neil Parker made five changes from that success against the Bears, which arguably made Hassocks even stronger.
Chessington certainly found out how much depth there is in this Robins squad, something which will serve Parker well in what is sure to be a roller coaster season.
Dan Turner returned having missed the win against Heath at a wedding. He was joined in defence by the experienced Will Broomfield, who continues to tick over for the Under 23s whilst Bradley Tighe and Alex Bygraves look undroppable for the first team.
Charlie Broad came into the attack for his first start of the campaign, Charlie Tuck returned from injury and George Mercer was promoted from the bench.
Dropping out completely were Kobe Dersley, Luke Marshall, Danny Reid and Sam Smith. Marshall Smith had to settle for a place on the bench.
Mercer last week had to patiently wait in the queue for his chance to ride 90 minutes but he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring two of the Robins’ four goals.
They were Mercer’s first in Hassocks colours, making it rather like the proverbial London bus – you wait three seasons and 20 matches for Mercer to score and then two come along at once.
Tuck provided further vindication for him being fast-tracked back into the starting XI by joining Mercer on the scoresheet with Sam Geard the other Robin who notched.
Alex Adejokun denied Callum Thompson a fourth clean sheet of the campaign as Chessington became only the second opponents to find a way past the Robins defence.
Hassocks have a week off next Thursday before hosting Horley Town at the Beacon on September 29th. The Clarets have made a bigger splash than the Tiger Rock log flume in their first season back in the Southern Combination after a brief hiatus, suggesting they will possess a stern test for the Robins.
Hassocks: Callum Thompson, Arthur Rawlingson, Will Broomfield, Dan Turner, Charlie Tuck, Sam Arscott, Sam Geard, Sam Rogers, Lewis Fairley, George Mercer, Charlie Broad.
Subs: Marshall Smith, Kieran Dimelow, Jack Smith, Wes Tighe, Reece Clarke (used).
