No perfect ending for Hassocks’ season

In truth the Robins season has been all but over the past month as a run of just one victory in nine games since the start of April derailed any hopes of matching the highest ever placing in the clubs history of fourth.

That they finished sixth however equalled their third best finish in senior football and with the youth team lifting the Central Division title and a number of those teenagers breaking into the first team squad this season, it can be considered a successful campaign for Mickey Jewell’s charges.

Arundel have had a difficult time of it, losing the use of their Mill Road home for the majority of the second half of the season after the wet weather at the turn of the year caused severe flooding when the River Arun burst its banks.

The Mullets were celebrating the career of playing legend Frank Cox and Hassocks played the supporting act role perfectly, never really looking in danger of spoiling the day.

Their injury and availability problems have been well documented in recent weeks with Chris Maynard making a first appearance since December and Stuart Brown being handed a rare start out on the right after an impressive season for the reserves.

The home side were ahead with just ten minutes on the clock, Alex Biggs opening the scoring before the advantage was doubled when Rory Biggs added the second after half an hour for his fifth goal in the past four games.

Nathan Dacosta made it 3-0 with ten minutes remaining to put the result beyond doubt but the Robins had a consolation goal in them.

It came from Phil Gault netting his 31st of the season in all competitions and with 27 of those coming in the league, it was enough for him to ensure he finished in second place in the County League’s goalscoring charts.

The Robins recent poor run of form had coincided with the enigmatic forwards absence through an ankle injury and that strike was his first since the last weekend of March.

Hassocks: Collins; South, Marsh, Pitcher, Jacques; S Brown, Price, Ingham, Maynard; Johnson, Gault.

Subs: Stokes, Czech, John (used), Green (unused).