Seventh heaven for Hassocks in return to winning ways at Mile Oak
Having been regular opponents at youth team level for many years, this was the first time that Hassocks Under 18s had faced Mile Oak in a Southern Combination League game since the 2017-18 season.
And after winning 7-0 at the Recreation Ground, the Robins will no doubt be hoping it is not another six seasons before they make the short hop over the South Downs to face Oak again.
That last campaign that the clubs shared a division saw Hassocks win their historic treble of North Division title, League Cup and Champions of Champions playoff.
The Robins have never managed to get back to those dizzy heights, although there is a lot of potential in what is a very young squad for the 2022-23 season.
Hassocks had underlined that when beating Steyning Town on the opening day, but three consecutive defeats against Worthing United and in Mid Sussex Derbies to St Francis Rangers and Burgess Hill Town had derailed things lately.
This was a brilliant way for the Robins to get back on track. The goals were shared around the team in a clinical performance, resulting in a biggest win since December 2020 when Crawley Down Gatwick were hammered 8-0 in the final match before the second Covid-19 lockdown.
Hassocks stuck by-and-large with the side who suffered a close-fought 3-2 defeat to Central Division leaders Burgess Hill Town last time out.
There were two changes as Oliver Goswamy and Jack Duckett were absent. Will Varley returned having missed the game with Hill whilst there was a Robins debut for Toby Munt.
It proved to be a very good week for Varley. He made his Under 23s debut on Thursday night, coming off the bench in the 6-2 victory away at Horsham YMCA, along with fellow Under 18s teammate Harry Carter also making his bow for Neil Parker’s side.
Varley then followed that up with two goals against Mile Oak, his first in Robins colours. Whilst Varley was opening his account, Alex Brewer doesn’t seem to be able to stop scoring.
He helped himself to a sensational hat-trick, moving onto eight goals in five matches in the process. Brewer now tops the North Division scoring charts.
Ed Tobias opened his account for the club whilst last season’s top scorer Oliver Parker-Williams completed the rout with the seventh goal from the bench.
The Robins continue to utilise their large squad, having given debuts to players in every game so far this season. Joining Munt in making a first appearance for the club was Harry Goatcher, introduced as a substitute.
Hassocks next face AFC Varndeanians at the Beacon. Kick off is 11am and any support is welcome as always. Entrance is free.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Sam Dean, George Gladding, Ed Tobias, Sam Fernley, Alex Wintle, Harry Carter, Toby Munt, Will Varley, Oliver Steel, Alex Brewer.
Subs: Oliver Parker-Williams, Ewan Edwards, Harry Goatcher (used).
