GAULT GAINS A GOOD POINT FOR ROBINS ON THE ROAD
Late goals have proven costly to Hassocks in recent weeks and they came close to surrendering a point again at East Preston on Friday night.
It finished 1-1 under the lights at the Lashmar but the Robins were hanging on towards the end as EP enjoyed their best spell, putting relentless pressure on the Hassocks goal in the final five minutes.
That was not really in keeping with an even and open game. There was lots of honest endeavour but goalmouth action was otherwise thin on the ground and chances were at a premium.
East Preston came into the tie in confident mood having become the first side to beat Division One leaders Whitehawk in the County League in their last outing.
And whilst Hassocks had developed that troubling habit of conceding late goals in the league, they could take solace from three excellent cup performances in the past month which had seen progress made in the FA Vase, the Sussex Senior Cup and the RUR Charity Cup.
The Robins’ best moments of the opening 45 minutes came after the half hour mark. First, Matt Robbins was just too high with a well struck drive after good build up play and then EP goalkeeper Tom Rand did well to hold Sam Fisk’s header on the line following an excellent deep cross from Mickey Turner.
Stoppage time saw Hassocks squander their best opportunity of the half when Robbins was wasteful when well placed.
The second half began at breakneck speed. At one end, Phil Gault’s touch let him down and that proved costly when EP countered to earn a cheap free kick from referee Barrie Small just outside the box.
EP made the most of the gift from Mr Small, Richard Carter stepping up to curl the 51st minute dead ball kick inside of Joel Harding’s left hand post.
Hassocks replied 11 minutes later with a wonderfully worked goal. Anthony Hibbert got the move started but it was strikers Gault and Mark Sheriff who deserved most of the credit, Gault latching onto an astute pass from his experienced partner just before Rand and turning the ball in from the angle.
Things continued to be evenly balanced after that up until the closing stages when EP had the better chances.
One of the best was a completely free header that James Rhodes somehow put wide from a cross by Tom Lawley. Just prior to that opportunity, Lawley had forced a good save at the second attempt from Harding.
Hassocks’ nerves were not helped when Ashley Marsh limped off with five minutes remaining ahead of a lengthy period of time added on.
Laurence Robinson took over from Marsh, necessitating a game of positional musical chairs with Gault dropping into midfield and Spencer Slaughter taking over from Marsh in the back three.
EP tried their best to take advantage of the reshuffle. Home substitute Phil Churchill struck a good effort from distance against the cross bar and then Harding had to save with his legs at the near post.
There was a sense of relief amongst the Hassocks contingent when Mr Small eventually blew the final whistle.
Few however would begrudge the Robins their point, although Dave John will know that three successive draws hardly helps his side’s challenge for a best-ever County League finish come the end of the season. Perhaps it will be the cups which at last bear some fruit for Hassocks?
There were bookings for Hibbert, Marsh and Gault as well as EP’s Dan White, whose manager-dad Chris was sent from the bench after having a go at a linesman in the second half.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Mickey Turner, Pete Lear, Ashley Marsh, Stuart Faith, Sam Fisk; Matt Robbins, Spencer Slaughter, Anthony Hibbert; Mark Sheriff, Phil Gault.
Subs: Laurence Robinson (Marsh 84), Ian Simpson, Richard Thompson, Jack Simpson (unused).
Starman: The whole of the defence did well but it just goes to Peter Lear.
