Another frustrating month as just two Hassocks fixtures beat the weather
Having played only three times in November and three times in December, January proved to be an even more barren month with a combination of rain and cold wiping out all but two Hassocks matches.
The first of those took place in another problematic weather condition – wind. A terrible gale battered the Beacon for the visit of AFC Uckfield Town as the Robins looked to start 2023 with a return to winning ways.
James Westlake opted for an incredibly attacking starting XI, playing all of Phil Johnson, Liam Benson and Pat Harding. The reward for such boldness was a 3-0 victory.
JJ Minty opened the scoring midway through the first half. An initial effort from the young winger was pushed away by Uckfield goalkeeper Connor Manderson, only for Broomfield to retrieve the loose ball having charged forward from centre back.
Broomfield returned into the box and that left Minty with the simple task of guiding into the empty net for his first goal in Hassocks colours.
The Robins doubled their advantage just past the hour mark. Mike Williamson sent a free kick towards the far post, where Sam Rogers hooked it across the goal line for Liam Benson to bundle home.
Two Hassocks substitutes linked up to deliver the third. Phil Gault collected possession from a short throw routine near the Uckfield by-line, turned his man and delivered a perfect cross for Joe Bull to power in a header from eight yards.
The Robins had to wait three weeks for their next run out, a tough looking trip to eventual Southern Combination League Premier Division champions Broadbridge Heath.
A fairly even first half seemed to be heading to a goalless conclusion until the Bears struck twice in the final nine minutes.
Ryan Brackpool met a pinpoint corner with a bullet near post header giving Hassocks goalkeeper Joe Southam no chance of keeping it out.
Young Southam then fumbled a shot from the edge of the box, presenting the onrushing Charlie Parmiter an empty net into which he doubled the advantage.
The Robins were much the better side in after the break. Alfie Loversidge in particular looked a real threat having been introduced from the bench for his first action since injury on the opening day of the campaign over five months earlier.
Hassocks puled one back on 79 minutes and it was no less than they deserved. Loversidge embarked on a really good run into the box, where despite being clattered by a number of Heath defenders he managed to remain upright.
That was until Hadfield came rushing from his line with enough contact finally being made on Loversidge to convince referee Oliver Westgate to point to the spot.
Despite a delay in the taking of the penalty, Phil Johnson kept a cool head and slotted the ball under the body of Alfie Hadfield.
There was something of a melee after Johnson converted, culminating in a red card for Hadfield. Hassocks now had 11 minutes plus injury time to try and force an equaliser with an outfield player donning the gloves for the hosts.
Heath though to their credit used the red card in the right way, refocussing and battening down the hatches.
The Robins did plenty of huffing and puffing but could find no way through in the time remaining, leaving them to return home empty handed.
After 11 weeks without a fixture, Hassocks Under 23s finally returned to action at the end of January with a 2-0 home win over Chessington & Hook United.
Gault opened the scoring with Sam Geard marking his first game back at the Beacon after a brief spell at Montpelier Villa with the second.
The Under 18s played twice, making good progress in two cup competitions. A penalty shootout win saw the Robins eliminate Mid Sussex rivals St Francis Rangers from the Dennis Probee Youth Cup at the Beacon.
Alex Wintle and Oliver Goswamy got the goals as the tie finished 2-2 in 90 minutes. Hassocks saw their first penalty brilliantly kept out by the Rangers goalkeeper low down to his left but the Robins were spot on after that with every player remarkably picking out the top corner.
Jack Thomas saved the second Rangers spot kick and when the visitors dragged their third wide, a successful Hassocks conversion saw the Robins through 4-2 from 12 yards.
Penalties were again required when Hassocks advanced past Selsey in the League Cup. Again, the tie had finished 2-2 and again, the Robins were victorious 4-2 in the resulting shootout. Varley and George Gladding were on target for Hassocks.
After winning all six of the fixtures to date and plundering 45 goals, the Ladies faced two much tougher fixtures in January.
They recovered from 2-0 down at home to Bognor Regis Town to win 3-2 thanks to goals from Katherine Chappell, Kirsten Mair and Mia Pordage.
A much improved Saltdean United provided the second opposition of the month. Hassocks arrived at Hill Park missing four regulars and with only 11 players, so coming away with a 1-1 draw was a good result given the circumstances. Jo Brown was the the Robins scorer.
Finally, the Veterans played for just the second time in their Mid Sussex Veterans League Division One campaign. Paul Armstrong, Dave Juniper, Jonathan Bundy, Adam Waller and Craig Beckwith all scored in a 5-2 home win against Jarvis Brook.
