Furnell hits hat-trick in five goal vanquishing of Varndeanians
Seven successive Southern Combination Premier Division victories equaled a Hassocks club-record for most consecutive league wins in senior football.
Although whether the Robins’ 5-1 success at AFC Varndeanians would have been quite so routine had the hosts not gone down to 10 men after only 15 minutes is a good question.
Varndeanians came into the game in good form and mood. They sat eighth in the table having won their past four in a row, a much improved outfit from the perennial relegation strugglers of the past few campaigns.
And with an intriguing Sussex Senior Cup second round tie on Wednesday night which sees Brighton Under 21s return to Withdean Stadium, there was a real buzz about the place.
That buzz extended to Varndeanians taking a fifth minute lead through Tom Boyle. A low shot from outside the box hit a divot on its way through, defying Jordan Brown in the process. Those Albion youngsters will have their first touches tested to the max in midweek.
10 minutes later and home hopes of becoming the first side to inflict a Premier Division defeat this season on Hassocks were dealt a blow when Sam Rogers was shown a straight red.
The consensus amongst the traveling contingent was the ex-Robins midfielder had produced a clumsy, high lunge worse than a yellow but perhaps not worthy of dismissal.
That left referee Owen Lawrence in a difficult position. There was a certain element of follow through when Rogers boot caught Darren Budd on the thigh, which probably swung Mr Lawrence to reach for red.
Hassocks set about taking ruthless advantage by levelling just four minutes later through Noah Hoffmann.
Harry Furnell tricked and teased his way to the left-hand by-line, delivering a low cross which Hoffmann stabbed home off the far post from a matter of yards.
Three minutes later and the Robins took the lead. Harvey Blake crossed and grey haired goose Ruari Farrell volleyed home on the stretch.
Hassocks dominated from that point, settling into a rhythm leaving Varndeanians chasing shadows. There were several opportunities to extend the lead before half time.
Alfie Loversidge was off target when meeting a Raging Joe Bull cross and Blake hit the bar with a curling effort cutting in from the right.
Furnell shot too high from a Bull corner scuffed to the neat post before Varndeanians showed signs of life on the stroke of half time. Boyle went around three blue shirts and pulled back for the unmarked Omar Bukleb to fire inches over.
Rogers is not the only former Hassocks player now at Varndeanians. Charlie Fogden and Charlie Tuck were named alongside Rogers in the starting XI, whilst striker George Mitchell-Phillips was introduced from the bench at the break.
Home boss Lawrence Edwards deserved credit for taking the bold decision to go on the attack and try and rescue something from the game, rather than seek damage limitation against the league leaders.
Unfortunately for Varndeanians, they found themselves coming up against Furnell whose form become formidable in the second half.
An early warning sign came when Furnell brought down a Dan Turner switch on his chest, stepped inside his marker and drew a good save from the legs of Sonni Nealgrove.
Having gone close twice already, Furnell was visibly delighted when he got off the mark on the hour. Raging Bull played a ball into a dangerous channel, Furnell checked inside of Tuck and beat Nealgrove at the near post.
Just two minutes later and Furnell had his second and Hassocks’ fourth of the afternoon. Hoffman’s square pass across the edge of the area was helped on by an utterly ridiculous back heel from Budd, presenting Furnell with a one-on-one which he finished with aplomb.
Furnell then completed a 16 minute hat-trick from the penalty spot. Turner made full advantage of the extra space offered by the Withdean running track, taking a 20-metre run up to launch one of his trademark trebuchet throws into the box.
In the ensuing confusion, Will Berry was pushed in the back and Mr Lawrence pointed to the spot. Furnell did the rest, rounding off a comfortable result for the Robins.
Hassocks: Jordan Brown; Harvey Blake, Dan Turner, Liam Hendy, Joe Bull; Alfie Loversidge, Josh Mundy, Darren Budd, Harry Furnell; Noah Hoffman; Ruari Farrell.
Subs: Jamie Wilkes, Morgan Vale, Harvey Enticknap, Bradley Tighe, Will Berry (used).
Starman: Harry Furnell.
