Burgess Hill boss Gary Croydon has hit back at Hassocks manager Dave John for criticising the Hillians' youth policy.

Croydon was incensed by John's comments in the Sports Argus last Saturday when he claimed Hillians do not bring players through their youth set-up.

John criticised Hill for attempting to sign striker Pat Harding and said they should persevere with their own youth players rather than raiding other teams.

Croydon said: "What Dave John said was nonsense. The article read as if he was saying we do not use our youth team players.

"From last year's youth team we have four players who have made the leap up to the first team this season and are playing regularly at Isthmian League level.

"We have Tom Edmonds, Lloyd Cotton, Owen Callaghan and Neil Watts all playing and two of those are still young enough for youth team selection.

"Lloyd Cotton has virtually been an ever-present and I don't know many clubs who would do that.

"We have four players involved in the county youth set-up and last Saturday I released Tom Edmonds to captain Sussex and he is an established player with us.

"About six of last season's youth team are at university and I cannot do much about that.

"The players who have left this club have all gone to a higher level. Players like Roy Pook and Sam Francis, who were part of our successful youth team of a few seasons ago, have gone on, which is what I always try to ensure.

"Hassocks cannot under-achieve on a regular basis and expect to keep players who want to play at a higher level."

Matt Piper has signed on work experience from Albion and makes his debut tomorrow against Corinthian Casuals. Loan signing from Bognor, Darragh Ryan, son of Albion legend Gerry, made his debut last Saturday and is in the squad again.