RAMPANT ROBINS TRASH GOLDS SHINING RECORD IN MORE TUESDAY NIGHT DELIGHT
Irresistible Hassocks turned in another magic midweek masterclass to win 3-0 at the Beacon and tarnish the proud record of joint-top Littlehampton Town at the Beacon.
Carl Stabler’s Division Two title winners have taken to life in Division One like a duck to water following promotion.
They arrived with three wins out of three – all away from home – only one goal conceded and highly tipped by a lot of people to make it back-to-back championships come the end of the season.
But Hassocks ran them ragged with another superb team display akin to the one which had scared the daylights out of other title tips Eastbourne Town seven days earlier.
Town were fortunate to escape with a point that evening; not even lady luck could help Littlehampton against a rampant Robins.
With an opening Saturday defeat at Pagham and a lacklustre home win over a poor Sidley side at the weekend, it seems as though Dave John’s side prefer playing under the Tuesday night lights.
It was easy enough to see why the Marigolds will be a force this season. But if Hassocks can keep producing these kinds of up-tempo performances, they must surely have a major say.
At the very least, the Robins can fulfil their potential as a successful cup team with it now proven they can go toe-to-toe and beat anyone in the league on their day.
John will not thank anyone for saying so. His first priority is always 40 points and top flight survival, but not even he could disguise his delight at this marvellous result and showing come the full time whistle.
Every last man in red played the fullest of parts and surely no other County League team could have resisted Hassocks on this night.
Both defences looked a little vulnerable in the early stages. The Robins though settled quicker, helped by Ashley Low and Nick Neman either side of Chris Hewitt growing in stature as the match progressed.
Littlehampton were given plenty of early warnings about what was to come. The Golds in particular found Pat Harding difficult to deal with. Harding went close twice in as many minutes with clear cut chances, the second of which struck a post.
Brother Joel had to make a good save from the lively Lee Weston at the other end. Hewitt and Thompson combined to ensure the visitors were unable to capitalise from the rebound.
Harding made it third time lucky on 24 minutes and it says much about how Hassocks started the game that there was no real surprise about the Robins taking the lead.
James Laing crossed and Harding finished with a aplomb. That gifted strike duo then combined magnificently to set up Thompson for the second Hassocks goal on 36 minutes.
Stabler introduced dangerous forward Clinton More at the start of the second half. Despite the very obvious and well known threat posed by More, the Robins were in no mood to surrender their advantage.
If anything, Littlehampton going on the attack suited Hassocks as the Robins put the relentless pace they were playing at to good use on the counter.
It was from one such breakaway that the third goal arrived on 56 minutes. Hassocks came forward, the Golds defence were all at sea and Joe Fernley took full advantage.
Most in the ground were caught by surprise when Fernley opted to go for goal from 25 yards, not least veteran Littlehampton goalkeeper Micky Phillips.
Fernley hit an unlikely strike featuring an impressive combination of barely any back lift and a lot of power to leave Phillips flummoxed as the ball sped inside a post.
It was the least Fernley deserved for a vintage display, earning him a fine ovation from around the Beacon when he was replaced by Ian Dawson with nine minutes remaining.
Littlehampton might point to a key moment five minutes before Fernley struck as evidence it was not going to be their night.
Billy Rayner hit a fine strike from distance which appeared to be heading for the top corner, only for Harding to somehow deflect the ball onto the bar.
But – and this is not meant to disparage the save from Harding – even if the Golds had made it 2-1 at that point, the honest view is Hassocks still would have gone onto win the game. The Robins were just that good on the night.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Mickey Turner, Nick Newman, Chris Hewitt, Ashley Low, Richard Thompson; Graham Beveridge, Joe Fernley, Andy Fisk; James Laing, Pat Harding.
Subs: Ian Dawson (Fernley 81), Tom Stripp, Nathan Harvey, Phil Wickwar (unused).
Starman: It would be unfair to single out one man in such a complete team success.
