Hassocks 0-4 Broadbridge Heath

Heath’s fourth pre-season friendly saw the team travel down the A23 to SCFL Premier division side Hassocks, I always enjoy my trips to the Beacon, one of the best football grounds in the league and a credit to the loyal committee led by Dave John.

On a sunny but blustery afternoon the Bears made a great start and early pressure saw us take the lead on 6 minutes when Charlie Parmiter ran at the defence, played a one two with Mario Quiasacca on the edge of the penalty, chested the return past a defender and then prodded the ball home past former Heath keeper Fraser Trigwell.

Jake Lindsey then tried his luck with a right foot curler from distance that flew narrowly wide of the post but the second followed shortly after when Matt Penfold received the ball deep in his own half, he played a 40 yard cross field pass to Jack Frankland advancing down the right, the defender skipped past a Hassocks defender and from the goal-line cut the ball back to Quiasacca who hit it first time into the bottom left corner of the net.

Heath continued to create chances and made it 3-0 midway through the half when a mistake by the Hassocks right fullback gifted the ball straight to Faris Khallouqui who cut inside, skipped past a defender and hit a right foot shot from 25 yards that Trigwell did well to save down low to his right but the ball came off the keeper and Sam Lemon was on it in a flash to score from close range.

Dan Webster almost added a fourth when he rose above everyone to power a header from a corner against the post but it remained 3-0 at the break.

The second half was a similar pattern to the first, some good play through the midfield to the forwards but that final effort was lacking until the 57th minute. Ryan Brackpool received the ball deep in his own half and after several passes the ball ended up wide on the right with Mason Doughty who split the Hassocks defence with an inch perfect pass allowing Quiasacca to run through and as Trigwell came out to smother he lifted the ball over the keeper into the left corner of the net.

Another good workout for the Bears, some really good football played at times, next up is another friendly when we welcome AFC Vardeanians to the BodyMould Stadium on Saturday 22nd July our first home match of the new season. Kick Off 3.00