Four past Ferring moves Robins into first ever County Cup big semi
A first ever Sussex Under 23 Cup semi final awaits the Robins after they stuck four past Ferring in the last eight of the county competition at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground.
Oscar Kemp hit a hat-trick with the other goal coming from substitute Jack Duckett in a comfortable victory for the home side.
Kemp opened the scoring very early on after pressing a Ferring centre back. When said defender attempted to dribble his way out of trouble, the Robins Under 18s captain picked his pocket and dinked over the visiting goalkeeper after advancing one-on-one.
An excellent sliding block was required to deny Kemp a quickfire second following a powerful run down the left flank from Evan China.
Hassocks continued to lay siege to the opposition goal. Kian Nandhra drew a full stretch tip over the bar from Ferring’s goalkeeper.
China then thought he had won a penalty when pulled back in the box but remarkably referee Steve Fogden waved played on.
A rare foray forward from Ferring meant Fraser Trigwell had to stand big to block a one-on-one before Hassocks were awarded a stonewall spot kick not long before half time.
Tom Frankland knocked a ball down the right channel latched onto by Alex Wintle. Two Ferring defenders converged at the same time to wipe Wintle out, enabling Kemp to double the lead with a clinical penalty into the bottom corner.
Ferring made a couple of changes at the break and that led to their best spell of the game. Brandon Worsfold cut in from the right flank and bent an effort just over in their most promising opening.
Hassocks and Kemp in particular soon reasserted themselves, however. Kemp jinked past three challenges to set up a close-range shot well saved.
He then tried his luck from distance with an effort which the Ferring goalkeeper somehow clawed out of the top corner.
Kemp dragged another shot wide prior to his third goal finally arriving – and in some style too as he rode a challenge to scoop over the goalkeeper’s head from the edge of the box.
A clever free kick routine straight from the training ground completed the rout. Frankland shaped up like he was going to tee up Nandhra but instead backheeled towards Duckett.
Whilst the Ferring wall mistakenly charged at Nandhra, Duckett picked out the far corner with a sweeping first time finish.
The Robins will travel to Eastbourne Town in the final four but not until February – much to the delight of assistant boss Phil Wickwar, who therefore gets three months to milk his favourite football phrase of “Never waste a big semi.”
Hassocks: Fraser Trigwell, Tom Frankland, Leo Charman, Ben Hicks, Noah McHale, Wilf Jenkins, Alex Wintle, George Gladding, Oscar Kemp, Evan China, Kian Nandhra.
Subs: Jack Duckett, Will Hartley, Oliver Parker-Williams, Ethan Brasier, Luke Hendy (used).