Robins go on the attack to which AFC Uckfield have no answer
Three consecutive defeats through December were banished to memory as Hassocks kicked off 2023 with a comfortable win over AFC Uckfield Town.
The Robins ran out 3-0 victors at a windy Beacon, justifying a bold XI from James Westlake which screamed attack, attack, attack.
For the first time this season, Westlake named his three principal strikers in the same starting line up. Liam Benson and Pat Harding were joined by the recalled Phil Johnson, who has spent the last three league matches on the bench.
Jack Troak was used in a more defensive role on the left but that did little to inhibit his natural inclination to get forward and the inclusion of JJ Minty offered a goal threat from midfield.
In fact, everywhere you looked there were goal threats. The Beacon faithful were certainly excited by the brashness of it all with a notable buzz amongst the crowd before kick off.
It took time however for the positive selection to bear the fruit. The opening 20 minutes were pretty uneventful with neither side managing to create a noteworthy opportunity.
And when the Robins did open the scoring with the first meaningful attack of the afternoon midway through the first half, it was via a goal made by a recalled defender rather than any of their attacking heavyweights.
Will Broomfield has had to wait patiently for playing time this season thanks to the form of Alex Bygraves and Bradley Tighe.
Indeed, his two most recent substitute appearances have come in goal after injuries to Alex Harris at Midhurst & Easebourne and Joe Southam in the Boxing Day defeat to Steyning Town.
Shipping three second half goals against the Barrowmen saw Broomfield come into side in place of Tighe and he made the most of the opportunity with a composed display alongside the equally excellent Bygraves.
Broomfield’s assist came when he was quickest to react after Uckfield goalkeeper Connor Manderson made a brave save at the feet of Minty, pushing the ball away to the right.
Having come forward to join the attack, Broomfield was faster than a whippet to latch onto the loose ball ahead of Manderson, sweeping a low cross back to the waiting Minty who fired into the empty net from a matter of yards.
Hassocks should have doubled the lead on 37 minutes. Harvey Blake embarked on a dancing run down the right followed by a pinpoint cross which Benson headed wide.
Uckfield had done little to trouble the home defence and you sensed that a second goal for the Robins would kill the tie. After plenty of huffing and puffing at the start of the second half, it eventually arrived with 66 minutes played.
Mike Williamson sent a free kick into the box. Broomfield had been left totally unmarked but contrived to completely miss the ball at an admittedly awkward height between head and knee.
Not that it mattered. Sam Rogers had made a darting run to the far post and he was able to hook across the goal line for Benson to bundle home.
That moved Benson onto 13 for the season, pulling him level with Johnson at the top of the scoring charts. There was no opportunity for Johnson to add to his own total as he made way for Phil Gault three minutes later, part of a double change which also saw Westlake introduce himself into midfield in place of Rogers.
A runout of over 20 minutes was the most game time assistant head coach Gault has enjoyed for over a year and he put it to good use by creating the Robins’ third and final goal in injury time.
Gault collected possession from a short throw routine near the Uckfield by-line, turned his man and delivered the perfect cross hung up towards the back post.
A darting run from Joe Bull saw him escape the attentions of Alfie Dennis to power home a header from eight yards.
It was Bull’s first goal of the season and came just 10 minutes after he had come off the bench to take over from Minty.
Uckfield defender George Cook saw red with seconds remaining to complete a busy day for referee Brendan Jones, who booked seven Hassocks players.
Johnson, Bygraves, Troak, Westlake, Rogers, Williamson and Broomfield were the guilty parties, leaving the Robins likely to find themselves in hot water with the Sussex County FA – the only negative on an otherwise super start to the new year.
Hassocks: Joe Southam; Harvey Blake, Will Broomfield, Alex Bygraves, Jack Troak; JJ Minty, Mike Williamson, Sam Rogers, Pat Harding; Phil Johnson, Liam Benson.
Subs: Phil Gault (Johnson 69), James Westlake (Rogers 69), Joe Bull (Minty 80), Bradley Tighe (Harding 88), Alex Harris (unused).
Bedlam Brewery Starman: Alex Bygraves.
