Robins get job done against Oaks to kick off hectic season finale
A hectic run of six games in four weeks began for Hassocks Under 23s with a solid performance and a 2-1 home win over Oakwood.
The Oaks might be sitting a lowly eighth in the table with two of their four wins awarded via walkovers because St Francis Rangers and Redhill have withdrawn.
But the Robins knew not to treat their hosts lightly having been caused plenty of problems by them already this season.
The previous Southern Combination League Under 23 North Division meeting between the two saw Hassocks edge a crazy 12-goal thriller 7-5 at Tinsley Lane.
Oakwood had scored 16 times prior to this visit to the Beacon, meaning over a quarter of their league goals this season came in that manic 90 minutes.
Hassocks then hosted the Oaks in the second round of the League Cup back in October. A much more normal evening of football played out, from which the Robins eventually came away 3-1 victors.
The League Cup adventure was ended for Hassocks in their most recent fixture, a 4-0 defeat to Horley Town at the quarter final stage two weeks ago.
Two more games have been postponed because of rain since then; even as March gives way to April, the weather continues to impact the Under 23s season.
Which is why the Robins now face such a busy end to the season. And it is why victory by any means has become the requirement as they hope to overhaul unbeaten league leaders Broadbridge Heath at the head of the table.
Hassocks made four changes from the side well beaten by the Clarets in that League Cup tie last time out. Commitments for Whitehawk meant Josh Nandhra was unavailable.
Nathan Miles had jetted off somewhere to take photos, something Oakwood would no doubt have been pleased about seeing as he scored a hat-trick in the 7-5 thriller earlier in the campaign. Alex Wintle and Charlie Fogden meanwhile dropped down to the bench.
First team wingers Tom Frankland and Alfie Loversidge came into the side, along with Under 23s regular Ben Hicks and Under 18s top scorer Cavan Chedzey.
Two of the returning players were on the scoresheet for the Robins. Loversidge bagged one whilst Chedzey moved onto seven for the season.
He is now joint leading scorer for the Under 23s as well as guaranteed to take the golden boot for the youth team. Liam Samuda provided Oakwood with their consolation goal.
Hassocks gave promising young goalkeeper Will Mizon a debut from the bench following his recent signing from Ringmer.
The Robins face a trip to Horsham YMCA next Thursday. With YM still very much in the four-way race for the title alongside Broadbridge Heath, Hassocks and Lingfield, a huge evening of football at the Herbert Direct Stadium awaits.
Hassocks: Jack Thomas, Ben Hicks, Bradley Tighe, Billy Dove, Sam Fernley, Tom Frankland, Noah McHale, Josh Mundy, Alfie Loversidge, Julian Durand, Cavan Chedzey.
Subs: Alex Wintle, Charlie Fogden, Will Mizon, Wes Tighe, Ed Tobias (used).
