Taming Tigers sets up third place showdown for Robins final fixture
Hassocks will face a showdown with Shoreham for third place in the Southern Combination League Under 18 Central Division in their final match of the campaign after beating Saltdean United 3-0 at Hill Park.
Victory lifted the Robins above Shoreham in the standings by one point having played a game more. Whoever wins when the sides meet at the Beacon will secure third.
If it finishes in a draw, then the Musselmen would need to beat Worthing United at home on Tuesday 2nd May in their last fixture to overtake Hassocks.
The Robins had been due to host Shoreham this coming Sunday. Both sides agreed to move the game however due to the clash with Brighton’s FA Cup semi final at Wembley, which looked set to have an adverse impact on player availability.
No new date has been set in stone yet, although it will take place one evening next week. Please keep your eye on the Hassocks social media channels for more information as and when it becomes known.
This was the second meeting in less than a fortnight between the Robins and Saltdean, although it seems a lot longer. Before Hassocks ran out 6-0 victors in an ill-tempered affair at the Beacon, the Tigers were one place and one point above their hosts in the table.
Now though, the Robins are seven ahead of Saltdean courtesy of an intense schedule which is seeing them play twice a week through April in league and cup.
As a result, Hassocks have completed three subsequent matches since the previous clash involving these sides 13 days ago.
Steyning Town were beaten 4-1 before a League Cup semi final defeat to Newhaven. That was followed by a close 3-2 Central Division reversal against St Francis Rangers, who now seem likely to go on and win the title.
There have also been first team league debuts in the intervening period for Sam Fernley, Alex Brewer and Oliver Parker-Williams.
Brewer did not feature against the Tigers here as he will again be part of James Westlake’s senior squad for the visit of Eastbourne Town to the Beacon on Saturday afternoon.
The Robins top scorer had netted both the goals against Rangers on Sunday but his absence at Hill Park did not seem to unduly impact Hassocks. Brewer’s place was taken by Oliver Goswamy in the only change from the weekend defeat.
Parker-Williams continued his fine end to the season with another goal. Jack Duckett also netted with the scoring rounded off by substitute Ryan Goss notching his third of the campaign.
Hassocks again managed to keep Central Division top scorer Jimmy Tasker quiet as Jack Thomas and his defence secured another clean sheet against the Tigers.
Unlike the previous clash when Dan Edmeads had been dismissed for Saltdean, no red cards were shown. Referee Mark Gidman was nonetheless kept busy, flashing bookings at Goswamy and George Gladding for Hassocks and James Ellis for the hosts.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, George Gladding, Ed Tobias, Ben Foster, Alex Wintle, Sam Fernley, Sam Dean, Jack Duckett, Oliver Goswamy, Oliver Parker-Williams, Will Varley.
Subs: Ryan Goss, Charlie Smith, Max Ward (used).
