Hassocks cut down Oaks to get back to winning ways
After three consecutive defeats, Hassocks Under 23s got back to winning ways and in some style by beating Oakwood 4-1 at the Beacon.
This was just what the doctor ordered for the Robins following North Division losses to Broadbridge Heath and Crowborough Athletic and a Sussex Under 23 Challenge Cup exit at the hands of Eastbourne Town over the past three weeks.
Such has been the unusually good weather so far this autumn that Hassocks are already halfway through their league fixtures before mid-November, the visit of Oakwood being their 10th match out of 18.
The Robins had previously beaten Oakwood 2-0 back in September through an own goal and top scorer Jay Hudson’s fifth in two games, part of a barnstorming start to the campaign that saw six games out of seven end in victory.
Hudson was suspended for this one as a result of his red card in the previous week’s defeat at Eastbourne Town.
There were five changes in total from the trip to the Saffrons. A busy period for the first team of three games in the space of seven days against Alfold, Pagham and Broadbridge Heath next week meant that Josh Short and Arthur Rawlingson were both saved for senior duties.
Louis Thwaites can probably expect to be involved with the first team too if his absence was anything to go by. George Mercer was the final change as he dropped down to the bench.
Hassocks were able to call upon the experienced duo of Josh Hawkes and Jordan Badger. One of the stars of the Under 23s season so far in Jack Baden was also back whilst Charlie Tuck and Jude Wallis came in to fill wide positions.
There were concerning scenes before the game when an Oakwood player was taken ill. The response of both hosts and visitors was exemplary in dealing with such an unexpected and somewhat scary situation and everyone at the Beacon wishes said player well following the incident.
Oakwood also deserved immense credit for the start they made to the game. Unaffected by what had happened off the pitch, they went 1-0 ahead inside of five minutes through Timi Kalejaiye.
With their recent poor run of form, Hassocks might well have been thinking ‘here we go again’. 14 minutes later however the Robins pulled one back.
Archie Russell was the scorer, following up his brace for the Under 18s in their 4-0 Mid Sussex Derby win over Burgess Hill Town at the weekend with his third Under 23s goal of the season. Russell had also grabbed the consolation at Eastbourne Town seven days earlier.
It looked like the sides would go into the break level at 1-1 until Badger gave Hassocks the lead with seconds of the first half remaining.
Oakwood were still in the tie up until the final 20 minutes, when Hassocks turned the screw to score twice more in eight minutes and kill the game off.
Badger made it 3-1 on 70 minutes with his second of the evening, continuing an excellent run of form in front of goal which has seen him notch four goals from 11 appearances for both first team and Under 23s since returning to football in August after two years away from the sport.
Victory was wrapped up eight minutes later through substitute Marshall Smith, scoring for the second time in three substitute appearances to put himself in contention for a start next Thursday against Steyning Town.
That match takes place in the League Cup, a competition Hassocks will be hoping to make an impression in, if for no other reason that to guarantee some more football.
Hassocks: Harvey Parker, Wes Tighe, Sean McSwiney, Jordan Badger, Charlie Tuck, Harvey Ransome, Josh Hawkes, Jack Baden, Ben Hicks, Jude Wallis, Archie Russell.
Subs: Marshall Smith, Luke Marshall, George Mercer, Brad Sweetman.
