Hassocks U23 0-0 Broadbridge Heath U23

I always like my visit to Hassocks, a lovely ground in good settings and with great facilities, good hospitality and you know you have to be at your best to come away with a point even though The Bears were the first ever side to play a competitive match at the Beacon and on that day our First team did manage to pick up all 3.

On this occasion though the honours were even at 0-0 when the top two sides in the Southern Combination League North Division met but although the game was goal-less, the entertainment was of high quality and a credit to both clubs and the league.

The teams play two contrasting styles, Heath play and build up from the back with short passes back and forth between defence and midfield until that opening appears to put one of their forwards through on goal; while the Robins are more direct with long balls played down the flanks and relying on the pace of their forwards to put shots on goal or crosses into the box for one of their strikers.

In a pretty even first half neither keeper was troubled too much with both defences looking solid and dealing with any danger that came their way. Both teams hit the cross bar during the game, for the Robins a cross from the right flew over Monty Watson-Price and came off the top of the crossbar, while at the other end Harry Sutton rifled a shot from distance that crashed against the Hassocks woodwork.

The Hassocks keeper was the busier of the two but comfortably dealt with any shots coming his way, while at the other end, when Watson-Price was beaten Sean Terry came round to clear the goal-bound effort off the goal-line.

So it ended 0-0, Heath maintain their unbeaten record and their 4 point lead at the top with three games remaining. Next up for the Bears is another difficult match when we travel to Roffey on Thursday 25th April, Kick Off 7.30.

Team: Watson-Price, Mark, Duneclift, Wraight, Pickering, Terry, Burrell, Barlow, Maznica, Kent, Moteane. Subs: Gorringe, Goncalves, Sutton, Cranfield, Symonds.