HARDING BREAKS RECORD BUT JOHN IS LEFT SICK BY THE RESULT
Before Hassocks’ home game with Horsham YMCA, one supporter cheekily suggested that Dave John’s recent absence from the dugout had been due to a bout of bird flu.
The Hassocks boss was certainly left spitting feathers come the end as a controversial refereeing decision turned this game on its head.
Having missed the weekend victory over Wick laid low with illness, John climbed off his sick bed for the clash with title chasing YM, led by his long-time friend John Suter.
And if rest is the best medicine, then the performance of man-in-the-middle Danny Austin would have set the Robins manager’s recovery back a few days.
John, normally so phlegmatic, laid the blame for his sides failure to take anything off their second placed visitors squarely at the door of Mr Austin after he awarded a 49th minute corner to YM which was one of the clearest goal kicks you will ever see.
Hassocks were incensed at the decision and their mood darkened when Dave Gellatly headed home the resulting set piece.
The Robins were still reeling when five minutes later they allowed the dangerous Matt Russell far too much time and space to turn inside the box and produce a neat finish for 2-1.
It had been going all so well for Hassocks before that. Pat Harding had given them the lead with his 36th goal of the campaign and his 124th in Hassocks colours, taking him past Robbie Kitchen as the club’s all-time record scorer in senior football.
What is most impressive is the speed at which he has overhauled Kitchen’s tally, reaching the landmark in just 178 appearances. Kitchen took 323 games – nearly double the number of Harding – to set his total.
With 15 games still left to play, it isn’t inconceivable that Harding might yet hit a half-century of goals this season.
That would be an astonishing achievement only strengthening the interest from Eastbourne Borough are rumoured to be showing in making Harding a permanent addition to their Conference South squad in the summer.
John made one enforced change to the side who won 2-0 against Wick three days previously. Matt Robbins came into the midfield three with Ian Dawson shifting out to left wing back in place of Richard Thompson, who was working.
For all of John and Hassocks’ complaints about Mr Austin’s impact on proceedings, YM were just about the better side on the night.
They edged the first half in terms of possession and chances. Kris Trevor and Gellatly tested Joel Harding with the Hassocks goalkeeper pulling off solid stops to maintain parity.
Brother Pat’s record-breaking moment arrived right on the stroke of half time and it was a goal of the highest quality.
Harding collected a throw from Mickey Turner, turned inside and smashed a fierce drive that Ian Chatfield got his hands to but could not keep out.
The second half was just four minutes old when Mr Austin’s moment of controversy arrived, although it must be said for however poor a decision it was, Hassocks’ marking from the corner was non-existent.
That was also the case when it came to Russell claiming his 10th of the season with what proved to be the winner shortly after.
Hassocks continued to work hard but they never really looked like they were going to find a way back into the game – not even with the introduction of Anthony Hibbert, making his return as a 70th minute substitute for Robbins after missing the past seven games with injury.
YM really should have added to their total as they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but tended to be too over-elaborate in the final third.
Not that Suter will mind as his side cut Ringmer’s lead at the top to six points with two games in hand as they look to win back-to-back Sussex County Division One titles. For John, it was back to bed.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Mickey Turner, Brendan Leahy, Ashley Marsh, Stuart Faith, Ian Dawson; Graham Beveridge, Chris Brown, Matt Robbins; Richard Thomas, Pat Harding.
Subs: Anthony Hibbert (Robbins 70), Sam Fisk, James Laing, Martin Woods, Phil Wickwar (unused).
Starman: Brendan Leahy, some excellent defending.
