Hassocks hit top spot thanks to success on first trip to Swans
Top spot in the Southern Combination Under 23 North Division belongs to Hassocks for the first time this season.
The Robins climbed above Horley Town on goal difference – by a margin of one – following a 4-1 victory from their first ever visit to Storrington.
Four different scorers were on target for Hassocks, who recovered from falling behind inside of five minutes to a Swans side currently sat in mid table.
Hassocks still have a game in hand on Horley, who were in League Cup action whilst the Robins were busy picking up three points at Storrington.
The Clarets moved into the third round of the competition thanks to a 4-1 win against fellow North Division outfit Horsham YMCA.
Having navigated much of October using mainly Under 18s players, the Hassocks side had a more experienced look to it for the second week running.
Both Jack Troak and Charlie Pitcher were again named in the starting XI as they continue to seek match fitness.
Troak is working his way back from (another) injury whilst Pitcher is short of game time following his return to the Robins from Crawley Down Gatwick.
They were joined in the starting XI by Harvey Enticknap, who will miss the weekend FA Vase trip to Tunbridge Wells cup tied. He and Pitcher played in a previous round of the competition for Down.
Enticknap was one of six changes from the team who beat St Francis Rangers 5-1 last Thursday, the most Hassocks have made this season.
Will Mizon took over in goal from Fraser Trigwell. There was a full debut for Under 18s defender Ethan Brasier, youth team captain Oscar Kemp came back into the team and Sam Quickfall and captain Ben Hicks also returned having missed the trip to the Hospital.
Alex Wintle and Ben Foster dropped to the bench with Leo Charman, Jack Duckett and Evan China not available.
Hassocks eased to a 7-2 win over Storrington on the Swans’ North Division debut on the opening day.
Storrington though have improved immeasurably since then and shocked the Robins here by taking a fourth minute lead through Jacob Shepard.
Pitcher levelled, making it two goals in two Under 23s matches so far. Quickfall got his Hassocks account up and running with Kemp and Kian Nandhra rounding off the victory.
The Robins now have a three-week break from North Division action. Next Thursday they host Ferring in the County Cup and the following week is a League Cup second round tie against Pagham.
Hassocks: Will Mizon, Ethan Brasier, Sam Quickfall, Ben Hicks, Noah McHale, Tom Frankland, Oscar Kemp, Harvey Enticknap, Jack Troak, Charlie Pitcher, Kian Nandhra.
Subs: Ben Foster, Alex Wintle, George Gladding, Luke Hendy, Jack Smith.
