PATTENDEN POUNCES TO HELP HAWKS END ROBINS CUP RUN
Hassocks had their interest in cup competitions ended for another season by the Sussex County League’s leading scorer.
Tommy Pattenden netted the only goal of the game as Whitehawk triumphed in a tight and tense John O’Hara quarter final at the Beacon which keeps their hopes of winning the double alive.
Chances were few and far between in a game badly hampered by a gale force wind blowing in from the Downs.
That meant the ball spent more time out of play than it did on the pitch, ruining what could have been an intriguing battle between the title chasing Hawks and a Hassocks side who were unbeaten at home against Sussex-based opponents this season.
The Robins worked extremely hard throughout and Dave John felt his side had done enough to earn another crack at a semi final spot in a replay at the Enclosed Ground.
Ultimately though, Whitehawk were better at managing the conditions over the whole 90 minutes rather than just in patches.
Hassocks meanwhile were guilty of playing too many long and wayward balls with the wind in their favour during the second half as their attempts to find an equaliser became increasingly desperate.
One could only feel sorry for home strikers Richard Thomas and Pat Harding, who were left chasing countless lost causes carried by the gale either out of play or through to Wayne Collins in the Hawks goal.
Most disappointing from a Hassocks point of view was that they appeared to have done the hard work, dealing exceptionally well against the wind in the first half.
Graham Beveridge, Matt Robbins and Anthony Hibbert asserted themselves with authority as a midfield three against their quality Whitehawk counterparts.
At the back, young Ashley Marsh stood out with a man marking job on Pattenden and both Nick Newman and Chris Hewitt coped admirably judging balls over the top and on the ground despite the wind’s best efforts to cause problems.
Whitehawk enjoyed the better chances before the interval, forcing two good opportunities to go into half time with the lead.
Terry Sargeant fired over from the angle and Joel Harding produced a fine fingertip save at full stretch to deny Pattenden when his cross from out on the right was nearly blown into the back of the Hassocks net.
The Robins struggled to create anything against a solid Hawks backline, Matt Robbins coming closest with a shot that was well over Collins’ crossbar.
With the wind now in their favour, Hassocks opened the second half with a series of excellent chances. Hibbert was a little too high after collecting a Beveridge pass and then Harding escaped down the right flank and cut into the box.
His left footed shot though had too much power and lift given the conditions, being carried a long way clear of the crossbar.
Hassocks created their best chance of the match on 58 minutes. Hibbert won the ball in midfield and played forward to Thomas, who produced the perfect layoff into the path of Robbins.
Without breaking stride, Robbins connected with a venomous shot from 12 yards out. Most players and supporters thought it had gone in but unfortunately for Hassocks, it was the side netting which was left rippling as the ball flew agonisingly the wrong side of the post.
Three minutes later and Whitehawk grabbed what proved to be the winner. Sargeant crossed to the near post for Pattenden to thump an effort towards goal which was superbly blocked by the sliding Marsh in front of the diving Harding.
In amongst three bodies falling to the floor in close proximity, Pattenden somehow managed to toe the rebound into the now empty goal at the very same moment he hit the deck.
Hassocks huffed and puffed in the remaining half hour but chances were limited, not helped by their insistence in playing long ball up to Thomas and Harding.
On one of the rare instances the Robins did string together a passing move, Thomas should have equalised after turning Peter Birch in the box. The shot though was straight at Collins.
The wait for Hassocks to win a senior trophy therefore goes on and even if this might be considered a missed opportunity, it was not a performance to be overly downhearted with.
Whitehawk could end the season as County League champions and John O’Hara Cup winners and yet the Robins matched them in most departments, just lacking the guile or pass to open up a resilient defence.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Ashley Low, Nick Newman, Chris Hewitt, Ashley Marsh, Richard Thompson; Graham Beveridge, Anthony Hibbert, Matt Robbins; Richard Thomas, Pat Harding.
Subs: Ian Dawson (Low 83), Stuart Faith (Thomas 83), Tom Stripp, Sam Fisk, Phil Wickwar (unused).
