We have to thank Hassocks for hosting this fixture due to AFC Whyteleafe having one last friendly at Church Road before they depart to Cray Wanderers. Lingers fans saw a much changed squad with just six players from last season and a former Linger in Lucas Sewell returning to the club, while a number of familiar faces were not available for this fixture.

The first foray towards goal came for us as Kwesi Ntim did well to hold onto the ball on the edge of the box but overhit his cross. However, the home side were soon on top as their long ball game was putting pressure on our defence. A break down the left by Hassocks won a corner that our new keeper Sang Baek punched out well under pressure. Another Hassocks break was covered well and the ball cleared. This was followed by a good long throw falling to a player on the edge of the box who sent a shot over the bar. The resulting goal kick was a disaster as it was under hit and landed at the feet of a Hassocks forward who took it forward and slotted it home for 1-0 with eight minutes played. We nearly had the perfect response as Rafael Barbosa did well on the ball in midfield and found Iker Noguera Leon on the right wing. His ball into the centre found Ntim but his shot flew over the bar. Ten minutes played and another Hassocks long ball had our defence scrambling back but their forward sent his shot wide of the left post.

Just past the quarter hour and having been played in on goal, Reon Donkor was pushed down just outside the box. Apparently there was cover so just a free kick which Noguera Leon struck into the wall. From the loose ball Hassocks were on a break down the right and were held up by Alex Kpakpe at the expense of a free kick. From the resulting play, Hassocks headed the loose ball over the bar. On 22mins another long ball put Hassocks clear although there was a big suggestion their player was offside, Baek made a good save but our defence was caught knapping as Hassocks tucked in the loose ball for 2-0. Noguera Leon was showing some good touches on the right ring and was able to test the keeper with a shot on 27mins but on gathering the rebound he sliced his shot wide of the left post. Just past the half hour Ntim did well to retain possession and then play it out to Jonathan Gsoshe on the right wing. Ntim was able to get onto his cross into the box and win a corner that was wasted as it was hit into the side netting. A couple of minutes later a nice turn by Gsoshe on the right touchline gave him space to set up Noguera Leon for a shot that was under hit and drifted wide.

Into the last five minutes and a timely block by Nicholas Bostan was needed to stop a Hassocks shot but a minute later a long ball down the left ended with a shot over the bar. Into added time and Hassocks were allowed to have the ball around our box without a strong challenge to clear the ball and it was duly shot home for 3-0. If that did not make it game over, in the third added minute a tangle between Kristian Belousas and the Hassocks captain brought Belousas a red card for kicking out. That the home captain went down as if his leg was broken only to leap up once the red card was shown was not a good look.

At the break Noguera Leon was replaced by Stephen Hodge following the red card as the lads faced a long 45 minutes in the heat, a man down and three goals down. Having been culpable in all three goals, five minutes into the half a shot hit the post and Baek saved the follow up but once again Hassocks were allowed to put the loose ball in the net for 4-0. A minute later Baek was dawdling on the ball and Hassocks tackled him for 5-0. A double change as Gabriel Odunaike and Jack McDonnell replaced Gsoshe and Ntim.

Baek claimed a cross well under pressure and distributed well to give McDonnell a break down the right but he went a fraction too early, however, in a rare good decision, the play was pulled back for a foul on Kpakpe. With the game over and drifting along in the heat, Kpakpe was harshly called for a foul and earnt himself a spell on the bench by throwing the ball down as frustration got the better of him. Odunaike did put the ball in the net inside the last ten minutes but was offside. Four minutes from time Baek made a good save and Lucas Sewell made a great block on the line. Into a third added minute and the best goal of the game as Barbosa turned to create space mid half and fired home for 5-1.

At least we did better than on our last visit to Hassocks where the hosts were gifted six soft goal without reply. There is no time to dwell on this result as the next game is tomorrow evening as we head to Three Bridges to play a Forest Row side that lost their opening match too – 3-0 at Midhurst. Wick also lost 5-1 but at the foot of the table are Little Common who shipped eight goals against Roffey.