Five star Robins book a big semi by taming the Tigers
In the end, it was relatively easy for Hassocks Under 18s. The Robins had to win away at Saltdean United to secure top spot in Group B of the Southern Combination League Supplementary Shield and qualify for the semi finals of the competition.
A 5-0 win guaranteed their progress into the last four of the competition, where they will face the West Division’s outstanding side, Steyning Town.
The Barrowmen were unbeaten at the head of their league before the campaign was curtailed at Christmas, making for a mouth watering tie at the Shooting Field in two weeks time to decide who makes the final.
Hassocks will go into that one in decent scoring form. After hitting six past local rivals St Francis Rangers a week ago, their five-goal haul at Hill Park made it 16 from four Supplementary Shield outings, delivering a goal difference which ended up being five better than Horsham YMCA’s to send the Robins through.
Brad Sweetman made just one change from the 6-1 win over St Francis. Louis Thwaites was promoted from the bench to take the place of Cody Craig who dropped down amongst the substitutes, where there was also a welcome return for captain Alex Crawford following injury.
Saltdean had been enjoying a decent season in the East Division prior to the campaign coming to an end, sitting third in the table behind Montpellier Villa and Bexhill United having lost just twice from nine matches.
Hassocks knew then that they would not be in for an easy morning. Conditions were not great either as the game kicked off in horrific rain with those not out on the pitch desperately seeking any sort of shelter they could find at Hill Park.
As the weather slowly brightened, so too did Hassocks’ performance. An early goal settled the nerves, leading to a comfortable victory and a first clean sheet of the Supplementary Shield for Jayden Dunkley and his defence.
Archie Russell and George Mitchell-Phillips helped themselves to two goals apiece with top scorer Lewis Beebee scoring in the second half.
Hassocks: Jayden Dunkley, Jack Gardner, Charlie Jones, Luke Marshall, Sam Geard, Kobe Dersley, Archie Russell, Louis Thwaites, George Mitchell-Phillips, Alfie Loversidge Lewis Beebee.
Subs: Alex Crawford, Cody Craig, Beau Howard, Josh Sprigg, Daniel Llewellyn (used).
