Hassocks’ on the up after win at Oaks

AFC Uckfield Town 0 Hassocks 1 SCFL premier

For the first time this season, Hassocks are out of the bottom four in the table.

A 1-0 win over AFC Uckfield Town enabled the Robins to leapfrog their hosts in the table, something that would have been pretty unthinkable in the middle of November.

Back then, Hassocks had only two league wins and nine points on the board. Over the past three months, they have won five, drawn four and suffered only three defeats in all competitions to completely turn their season around.

Every aspect of the Robins’ game has improved. When beating Crawley Down Gatwick 3-1 at the Haven last Tuesday night, they played some excellent football to deservedly win away against hosts who have designs on a top six place.

Victory at The Oaks required quite different characteristics. Hassocks built their three points on hard work and doing the nitty gritty stuff better than Uckfield.

It was an ugly win in a game devoid of much entertainment.

In fairness to the players on show, there was little either side could do to improve the fare.

Passing football was impossible on a bald surface. Bypassing the ground by taking an aerial route was made challenging by a strong wind.

Nothing summed up the difficulties better than the only goal of the game, 11 minutes before half time.

Dan Turner hauled a trademark long throw miles down the pitch and the ball reached Charlie Broad to loop a header over Uckfield goalkeeper Jason Tibble. Hassocks are 16th – and looking up.

SCOTT McCARTHY