New champions Hassocks round off season by beating their predecessors Heath
The new Southern Combination Under 23 North Division champions faced their predecessors at the BodyMould Community Stadium on the final evening of the 2022-23 campaign.
And it was Hassocks who showed why they have been the dominant team in the league this season, winning 4-2 against Broadbridge Heath who they dethroned last month.
Victory meant the Robins have dropped just five points all season from defeat against Horley Town and a draw with Lingfield.
Hassocks finish 16 points clear of second place Roffey, an extraordinary gap over a 18 game campaign and the best possible way to secure a first ever league title having finished runners up in the previous three consecutive campaigns not interrupted by Covid-19.
Phil Gault meanwhile finished third in the North Division golden boot race. He was on target against the Bears with a brace having plundered a hat-trick six days ago when Hassocks won 3-0 at Oakwood.
Gault ended the campaign with 10 goals from seven matches. Despite that red-hot form, rumours of retirement are swirling as Gault would like to spend more time with his extensive collection of red wine.
To pre-empt the possibility this was Gault’s last game of competitive football, he was presented with a special award before kick off in recognition of his record-breaking 190 goals from 352 first team matches.
His contribution in helping the Under 23s to their first title will not be forgotten either, nor his efforts in becoming the first player to score for all of the Robins’ senior, reserve, Under 23s and veterans teams.
Gault was not the only player getting his hands on something for the mantlepiece. Jack Thomas missed Sunday afternoon’s End of Season presentation at the Beacon and so he was given his Dave John Young Player of the Year trophy at the same as Gault.
The young goalkeeper was an ever-present for the Under 18s in 2022-23 as well as playing nine times for the Under 23s.
He first stepped in when Callum Thompson fractured his shoulder in September and has since returned for the final two matches with Fraser Trigwell unavailable.
Neil Parker took the opportunity to give several Under 18s starting opportunities against the Bears. Thomas kept his place in goal and Alex Wintle continued after impressing in that win at Tinsley Lane last time out.
They were joined by Sam Fernley and Ed Tobias. Fernley made a handful of first team appearances towards the end of the campaign whilst Tobias picked up Players’ Player of the Season for the Under 18s.
Parker made three changes in total. George Mercer joined Fernley and Tobias in coming into the starting XI. The Under 23s award winners both started, Jack Smith having been named Players’ Player and Sam Rogers who was named Manager’s Player by Parker.
Missing out were experienced duo Will Broomfield and Tom Frankland. Jude Wallis dropped down to the bench, alongside first team winger Alfie Loversidge looking for one final run out of the campaign and another Under 18s player, George Gladding.
Whilst there was a distinct end-of-season feel around last week’s win at Oakwood, this game in contrast ebbed and flowed to provide a high level of entertainment.
Both Heath goals came in a four minute period just before the midway point of the first half. Tyler Symonds struck on 19 minutes followed by Charlie Mark on 23.
For Hassocks, Gault grabbed his aforementioned double. He was joined on the scoresheet by Mercer and Sam Geard as the Robins signed off their greatest season in some style.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Wes Tighe, Jack Smith, Ed Tobias, Ben Hicks, George Mercer, Sam Rogers, Sam Geard, Sam Fernley, Phil Gault, Alex Wintle.
Subs: Jude Wallis, Alfie Loversidge, George Gladding (used).
