BERRIDGE AT THE DOUBLE AS ROBINS SIGN OFF YEAR WITH WIN
Two goals from Matt Berridge ensured that Hassocks Under 23s signed off for 2018 in the best way possible with a 3-1 victory over East Preston at the Lashmar.
This was a big three points for the Robins. The hosts had sneaked into title contention under the radar somewhat over the weeks leading into the final round of West Division matches of the calendar year.
As recently as a month ago, it looked to be a three way battle between Horsham YMCA, Hassocks and Lancing for the Southern Combination League West Division crown.
But EP have since blown the race wide open, their 5-2 defeat of the Lancers in November coming as part of a run of five victories from their last six league games.
That form, coupled with both YM and Hassocks dropping points as they drew 1-1 at the Beacon last Thursday, had them just one point behind the Robins and only four from leaders YM.
A tough evening looked in store for Nigel Pearce’s side, so he would have been grateful to have a full-strength squad to pick from to the point where he could afford to leave Harvey Enticknap, winner of the Robins’ November Player of the Month award, on the substitutes bench with Martin Ratcliffe starting in his place.
That was one of four changes that Hassocks made to the side that held the leaders a week ago. Jake Lane came in for Kieran Wells, Louie Derham replaced Ben Jonas and second top scorer Max Willcox took over from Under 18s forward Tristan Hayes.
While Pearce was able to call upon the services of Enticknap from the bench and fellow first team regulars Josh Green, James Littlejohn and Berridge from the start, EP had their own big name players starting in their first team’s top scorer Dan Huet.
Huet has nine goals in the Southern Combination League Premier Division so far this season for EP and it took him just seven minutes to open the scoring in this one as Hassocks made a slow start to proceedings.
It looked like it would remain 1-0 to the hosts going into the break until Willcox showed his worth to the Robins by equalising with virtually the last kick of the half to send the sides in level.
Hassocks hoped that would prove to be somewhat of a psychological blow to EP and so it proved as the second half turned into the Berridge show with the midfielder netting twice for his first Under 23 goals of the season.
His first arrived on the hour mark and his second 10 minutes later to sew up the three points and leave Hassocks in a very promising position going into 2019.
They remain three points behind YM but with two games in hand on the leaders. More importantly, the Robins have no opened up a four point gap to third place which is now occupied by reigning champions Pagham, who have played a game more than Hassocks.
The Lions are hitting good form now after a slow start to their title defence, which sets up an intriguing four months ahead as Hassocks bid to win their first piece of silverware at Under 23 level.
Hassocks: Josh Green, Ellis Common, Jake Lane, Louie Derham, James Oliver, Matt Berridge, Connor Bradley, Will Glenn, Martin Ratcliffe, Max Willcox, James Littlejohn.
Subs: Joe Russell, Harvey Enticknap, Kieran Wells (used).
