It was double delight on Sunday for Hassocks as both the Under 18s and Ladies kicked off 2019 with big victories against Broadbridge Heath and Wandgas respectively.
After ending 2018 in their worst run of form for two-and-a-half years, the Under 18s got 2019 underway with an excellent 5-1 win at home against Broadbridge Heath.
Three consecutive defeats against to St Francis Rangers, Montpelier Villa and AFC Varndeanians represented the Robins poorest sequence of results since February 2016 as a year in which they lifted an historic treble came to a close with something of a whimper.
Retaining their Central Division title looks a tall order now for Brad Sweetman’s side with leaders Haywards Heath Town nine points clear but on this showing, Hassocks are going to give it a real go.
The Beacon pitch was in remarkable condition for early January, especially in light of the fact that it had been used less than 24 hours earlier as the first team ground out a 1-0 win over East Preston.
Sweetman made a raft of changes from the side that had exited the Sussex Dennis Probee Under 18 Cup at the third round stage against AFC Varndeanians in their last game before Christmas.
Danny Bulgin, Josh Sandilands, Harvey Ransome, Brandon Sheppard, Yahya Azizi and Sam Herd were all missing from the starting line up.
In their places came Toby Fisher – who missed the previous game after his first team heroics away at Eastbourne Town less than 24 hours previously – Alex Moulvogny, Jordan Fowler, Harry Meredith and Tristan Hayes while there was also a full debut for Finlay McDermott.
The return of top scorer in Hayes was a big boost to the Robins in particular and it didn’t take the striker long to showcase his considerable talents as he put Hassocks 1-0 ahead with just seven minutes played.
That helped settle any nerves and alleviate any doubts that may have crept in during that pre-Christmas losing run and Hayes made sure that his side went into break two goals to the good when doubling the advantage right on the stroke of half time.
There was a scoring rush just past the hour mark as three goals were plundered in as many minutes. Both sides scored with 62 on the clock, Luis Bhana to get the Bears on the score sheet and George Mercer netting his first goal in Hassocks colours to maintain the hosts two goal advantage.
Three minutes later and Hayes completed his hat-trick to make it 4-1 with captain Jack Baden rounding off the scoring with the fifth in the 88th minute following his earlier introduction from the bench.
The Under 18s are next in action this coming Sunday away at Upper Beeding with an 11am kick off.
Hassocks Ladies meanwhile made it a perfect 10 as they made it 30 points from a possible 30 in Division One West of the South East Counties Women’s League after a 4-0 win away at Wandgas.
And the score against their third-placed hosts could have been even greater were it not for a brilliant performance from the Wandgas goalkeeper.
The home custodian set the tone for her afternoon by denying Kelly Rushworth and Kirsten Mair inside of the first 10 minutes while a good opportunity for Hassocks went begging when Rushworth and Billie Philpott got in each other’s way as both attempted to shoot at the same time.
The Robins’ top scorer Philpott had no such problems when she opened the scoring with 11 minutes played, the Sussex Rep Squad player scoring with a quite brilliant lob from the tightest of angles.
There were a worrying few minutes afterwards when a Wandgas player was unable to continue after she had to be treated for breathing difficulties – thankfully, she appeared to have recovered satisfactorily a short time later.
Sarah Chappell in the Hassocks goal dealt well with a dangerous looking cross as Wandgas looked to impress themselves on the game but in truth, that was about as good as it got for the hosts.
Mair saw another shot saved and Rushworth dragged an effort wide before making up for that by scoring after a fine individual run midway through the half.
Katherine Chappell produced on a similar solo effort, but she was denied by the Wandgas goalkeeper before substitute Rose Jump scored with her first touch in the 34th minute to send Hassocks into the break with a 3-0 lead.
The second half was just eight minutes old when the Robins made it four, Jodie Johanson and Chappell linking up well to tee up Mair whose left footed shot proved too hot for the goalkeeper.
Philpott hit a ferocious shot against the bar, Stevens saw a header from a corner saved and then a Mair corner was kept out by a combination of keeper and post.
The Wandgas number one’s best save of the afternoon came 15 minutes before the end when she somehow produced a fine reaction save to block Philpott’s effort with her feet.
There were further chances for the Robins to add to their tally, Philpott again being denied, Tallie Bright fire just wide and then in the final minutes, Rushworth nearly broke the crossbar with the goalkeeper well beaten.
The Ladies are without a game this weekend before facing Montpelier Villa in the semi final of the Sussex Women’s Challenge Trophy on January 20th. That encounter takes place at the Beacon with a 1.30pm kick off and any support would be greatly appreciated as the Robins chase a cup final appearance.
