Easter is not a cracker as Hassocks lose two on trot

There was a distinct end of season feeling around the Hassocks camp as the penultimate home game of the campaign ended in a 1-0 defeat against Crawley Down Gatwick – a result that kept the Anvils in the SCFL premier title hunt.

The Robins were without a glut of regulars and have little to play for now with a highest finish since 2013-14 already assured but the top six almost out of reach.

With the likes of Phil Johnson, Jamie Wilkes, Bradley Tighe, Leon Turner, Alfie Loversidge and Josh Bradley unavailable, James Westlake took the opportunity to reward a number of players who have excelled for the under-23s and under-18s this season with a place in the first team squad.

On the bench were youth teamers Sam Fernley, Oliver

Parker-williams and Ed Tobias.

Fernley came on for his second senior appearance having made his bow in the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup at Forest Row in October whilst Parker-williams made his debut late on, replacing Joe Bull.

Sam Geard meanwhile was handed his first start of the season having been one of the stars of the under-23s.

Neil Parker’s side were confirmed as North Division champions on Saturday evening when awarded three points after Loxwood informed the league they would not be fulfilling their remaining fixtures.

In contrast to Hassocks' season petering out, Crawley Down remain in the thick of the promotion race. Oli Leslie scoring the only goal of the game on the half-hour mark at the Beacon moved the Anvils just a point behind second-place Newhaven with a game in hand.

Hassocks had been much the better side before that and could have been two or three goals to the good having created a number of promising chances during the opening 30 minutes.

There was a second 1-0 loss of the Easter weekend when Hassocks made the visit to Steyning on Monday.

A Dom Johnson-fisher goal was the difference between the sides.

Hassocks now have just two games left of the league season.

They visit Lingfield this Saturday and visit Eastbourne Town seven days later.

SCOTT MCCARTHY