Geary laments lacklustre second half showing

Ben Bacon netted a hat-trick, while James Westlake and Harry Mills were also on the scoresheet in the rout.

After a pleasing performance in the opening 45 minutes, Geary felt the final half-hour was the worst showing he had seen from any of his teams in management.

He said: “The final 30 minutes were simply not good enough. It was quite a shock because in the first half we dominated and created so many chances.

“After Hassocks got the second goal we just fell to pieces, we gave the ball away, lost all positional sense and it was just woeful.

“I understand we’ve got a new team, with several young players, but to perform how we did in those final 30 minutes was simply not acceptable and something I won’t accept.”

Mavericks were caught on the counter following a corner with Bacon on hand to finish off the move eight minutes before the interval.

Despite all of United’s hard-work, Bacon bagged his second to fire Hassocks 2-0 ahead ten minutes after the break.

The floodgates then opened as Bacon competed his hat-trick on the hour.

Westlake then made it four on 65 minutes, before Mills rounded off the scoring nine minutes from the end.

Mavericks are back in action this evening when they lost Lancing in the league (7.45pm).

Geary wants to see a response from his side in the derby encounter and added: “It’s a chance for us to put right what went wrong on Saturday.

“Lancing are a good side but they’ve struggled so far this season and what better way to respond from Saturday with a win over your rivals.”

WORTHING UNITED: Trigwell; Marsh, Callaghan, Stideford, Hasan; Gilmour, Foster, Hards; Todd, Fenelon, Goldson. Subs: Rose (Gilmour), Punter (Hards), P.Elliott (Fenelon), Bromage.