THOMMO AT THE DOUBLE AS HASSOCKS LIFT FIRST EVER RESERVE SECTION CUP
Richard Thompson was the unlikely goal scoring hero for Hassocks Reserves as they lifted the Sussex County League Reserve Section Cup for the first time in their history with a deserved 2-0 win over Shoreham.
The Robins’ left wing back isn’t exactly known for his goal scoring prowess. He’d scored just eight goals in over 200 first team appearances before stepping down to the reserves for this season after becoming a father.
That was until he drilled in two unstoppable efforts from outside the box, one in each half, to end the dogged resistance of a young and spirited Shoreham side at Worthing United’s Robert Albon Memorial Ground.
Hassocks dominated possession but a hard and bumpy pitch made getting the ball down difficult. As a result, chances were at a premium for both sides.
The Robins however had the better individuals on the night. Captain Brian Husbands, Tom Stripp and in particular Ian Simpson were commanding at the back whilst Ian Church, Spencer Slaughter and the excellent Andy Wilson got to grips with midfield.
Both Thompson and Nathan Harvey gave energetic performances to get up and down from the left and right wing back positions respectively and in Richard Thomas and the tireless Dan Jacques, Hassocks had two willing runners up front who worked hard for scraps all evening.
Little happened in the first half hour, a combination of cautiousness and the challenging surface meaning that neither side were willing to take too many risks.
Joel Harding tipped over a huge punt out of the Shoreham defence which bounced awkwardly towards the Hassocks goal and Slaughter headed wide from a pinpoint Wilson corner.
Hassocks took the lead in the 34th minute. Thompson drifted into the centre forwards position from out on the left, collected Wilson’s superb pass and rifled a left foot John Arne Riise-like special into the top corner past Shoreham keeper Downer from just outside the box.
Shoreham nearly had an instant reply when Warwick McClymont volleyed just wide. Shortly before the interval, Thomas managed to work himself some space in the area but hooked his effort narrowly off target.
The Musselmen started the second half brightly, enjoying the lion’s share of possession. Harding remained unthreatened however, easily fielding the couple of long range efforts that he had to deal with.
Mickey Jewell and Phil Wickwar changed things up midway through, introducing Laurence Robinson in place of Slaughter.
Robinson joined Thomas up front with Jacques having made way for Alex Ternouth who had joined the action in midfield two minutes earlier.
The height, pace and assured touch of the promising Robinson added another dimension to the Robins’ attack and the Shoreham back line looked startled anytime Robinson got the chance to run at them.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Robins’ youth team striker however as he picked up a harsh booking for not retreating the full 10 yards from a free kick quick enough.
Slaughter and Stripp were already in the book by that point in time, Stripp’s tackle on McClymont having been a real case of “Did you take his wallet too?” such was the criminality of it.
Robinson should have wrapped the game up on 77 when he found himself in one-on-one with Downer but could only hit his effort straight at the feet of the goalkeeper.
Thankfully, that miss didn’t prove costly as three minutes later Thompson notched his second of the evening. He again lashed home from the edge of the area, this time after a clever lay off from Thomas.
That goal seemed to deflate Shoreham and the last 10 minutes were comfortable for Hassocks. Wickwar was delighted afterwards and even Jewell managed to crack a smile, the silverware being a deserved reward for all the hard work that the duo have put in over the course of the campaign.
With eight league games remaining, there remains the prospect of a good finish in the Reserve Premier Division still to come.
Club stalwart Husbands accepted the trophy from Peter Bentley afterwards and Thompson the Man of the Match award, although he was pushed mighty close by both Wilson and Simpson for that accolade.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Nathan Harvey, Brian Husbands, Tom Stripp, Ian Simpson, Richard Thompson; Ian Church, Andy Wilson, Spencer Slaughter; Richard Thomas, Dan Jacques.
Subs: Laurence Robinson (Slaughter 67), Dickie Fernley (Church 87), Alex Ternouth (Jacques 65), Mark Darbyshire, Scott McCarthy (unused).
Starman: Richard Thompson for two special goals. The veteran Andy Wilson and teenage defender Ian Simpson weren’t far behind.
