JOHN RETURNS TO THE DUGOUT TO BRING THE OLD HASSOCKS BACK WITH A WIN
Hassocks have Hassocks back. With John Suter sacked in the week and all his players with Horsham YMCA connections leaving the Beacon, Dave John returned to the dugout to deliver a 2-1 Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup win over Midhurst & Easebourne.
This was a game lacking in quality but with no shortage of effort and commitment – the two qualities so clearly missing throughout Suter’s 15 game reign which returned just four wins, stripped away the Robins’ identity and leaves them in very real relegation trouble.
Johnsy said afterwards, “It was a long second half.” He then added with a rye grin, “And it will probably be a long season.”
He knows that he does not have the same number of quality players to draw upon as in previous years. Until he can address that problem, he will be more than happy to make up for that with the old spirit which used to be Hassocks’ calling card before Suter’s arrival.
Laurence Robinson was one individual curiously discarded by Suter, even after declaring himself happy to return from university at weekends to play.
The striker who revels in the nickname “Crouchy” for his resemblance to Peter Crouch answered Johnsy’s call to make the trip back to help out. He was duly rewarded with a goal after just six minutes on his only second start of the season.
A good ball from Michael Bates released Dan Jacques down the right and his cross was touched home at the near post by Robinson.
Midhurst showed they were not going to lie down and roll over after that and fashioned some decent half chances. The Stags’ lively number eight Jamie Buitenhuis impressed in particular.
But as half time approached, Hassocks took control and had some great opportunities to add to their lead. First, a long throw from Richard Thompson was headed towards goal by James Laing.
Midhurst goalkeeper Gavin Arnell did well to claw it out from under the bar and followed that up by making a superb save to deny Jacques’ follow up.
Laing then produced a miss that defied belief by hitting the underside of the bar from no more than a yard after Anthony Hibbert’s inswinging corner caused problems.
Midhurst still couldn’t clear their lines with Jamie Hillwood firing just wide from the half clearance. The resulting goal kick from Arnell was a poor one, dropping straight to Laing who again tested the visiting number one.
Thompson did not appear for the second half as he is nursing a hamstring injury with Michael Eynon taking his place in a straight swap.
Losing Thompson did not impact Hassocks at all as they moved 2-0 ahead within a minute of the restart. The Stags defence backed off Hibbert as he advanced through the middle, presenting the opportunity for him to produce one of his crisps drives from 25 yards which gave Arnell no chance.
Five minutes later and Hassocks almost had a third. Laing and Robinson linked up well to engineer a break. Hibbert thought he had converted Robinson’s superb cross to the back post, only to see Gary Jones produce a miraculous clearance off the line.
The value of that moment of magic from Jones was hammered home when Midhurst immediately pulled one back. Hillwood gave away possession far too easily, enabling Buitenhuis to cross and Dan Warren to score with a bullet header.
Jack Simpson got two hands firmly to the ball, but even so it had far too much power for the Robins’ teenage goalkeeper to keep out.
Hassocks became worryingly sloppy after that, frequently surrendering the ball to visiting players. They were grateful that Midhurst were unable to inflict any further punishment as they had on Hillwood.
The minutes began to tick by rather slowly for home supporters with their side clinging on by the end. Warren squandered a good opportunity for an equaliser, blazing over when visiting skipper James Glue stuck the ball on a plate.
Hillwood almost atoned for his role in the Stags goal when narrowly off target after an astute backheel from substitute Aaron Walsh, another player Suter was not keen on but who can expect to be more involved over the coming weeks.
Midhurst threw everyone forward as the game rolled into stoppage time. Defender Paul Grantham surely will not get many opportunities this season to hit a powerful shot from inside the penalty area, as he did deep into stoppage time.
Thankfully for Hassocks, Simpson proved equal to it with a flying full stretch save to his left to turn the ball around the post.
There was a clear sense of relief around the ground when the final whistle blew. Robins certainly rode their luck but after the traumas of the season so far, everyone in the Hassocks camp was simply happy to get back to some kind of normality.
Hassocks: Jack Simpson; Dan Jacques, Stuart Faith, Ashley Marsh, Nick Pitcher, Richard Thompson; Michael Bates, Anthony Hibbert, Jamie Hillwood; James Laing, Laurence Robinson.
Subs: Michael Eynon (Thompson 45), Aaron Walsh (Laing, 76), Adam Williams, Jamie Buckett (unused).
Starman: The whole team as none could be faulted for effort.
