LUCKY ROBINS MUG CHI FOR SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINAL SPOT
There was a mugging at the Beacon in the Sussex Senior Cup as Hassocks stole a 1-0 victory against a Chichester City United side who were forced into playing 58-year-old manager Adie Girdler in goal.
Despite the presence of a man just seven years shy of collecting his pension in between the posts due to an injury to first choice goalkeeper Andy Salt and his two back ups, Chi were by far the better side for three quarters of a match before an own goal decided the tie, sending the Robins through to the quarter finals of the competition where they will meet Shoreham.
Both teams were still only in the competition because Bognor Regis Town had played an ineligible player in an earlier round but from the kick off it was the visitors who looked most likely to cash in.
Chances were at something of a premium but Phil Wickwar pulled off a decent save from Adrian Brockway’s fierce strike and was then grateful that Phil Archibald’s firm header from a free kick was straight at him.
It took until 27 minutes for Hassocks to register their first shot and that didn’t even test the Chi boss, Spencer Slaughter’s distance strike being some way off target.
The Robins best chance came late in the first half but again Girdler wasn’t worked, this time visiting defender James Ford managed to stretch to the limit to divert a Jamie Buckett cross beyond the waiting James Laing.
Had the ball found Laing at the far post, then he would’ve been left with a simple tap in and Hassocks would’ve headed into the break with an undeserved lead.
Things didn’t improve for the hosts after the break as their distribution continued to be woeful and they were unable to string more than two passes together. Again, Chi looked the most likely scorers as a result.
That they didn’t manage to beat Wickwar despite dominating possession and the shots count was clearly beginning to frustrate and booking for Gary Oliver, captain Darren Hickman and Brockway hardly helped their cause.
Hassocks belatedly began to ask a few questions of the Chi defence and Girdler in the final 15 minutes. Girdler made a mess of a routine Slaughter shot but recovered just in time and was then grateful to see Laing’s 40 yard lob just clear the bar.
The Robins best move of the night fell to substitute Aaron Walsh but he failed to capitalise on it and with the game seemingly heading towards an extra 30 minutes, Chi were struck with a piece of gross misfortune.
Anthony Hibbert’s pass got Laing in goal side of the defence and although his poor finish did not look like going in, Ford came sliding in to try and clear the ball but he only succeeded in adding the required pace and direction to send it over his own line.
That just about summed up Chi’s night and made home boss Dave John a happy man, although for slightly obscure reasons.
He knows his side won’t be winning the Senior Cup but the fact they play Shoreham in the next round in just four days times means it counts as part of the three game suspensions of Jack Simpson and Ashley Marsh.
That means that John will have only lost his goalkeeper and captain for one league game before they return to the far more serious job of ensuring Division One survival.
Even on this poor showing, relegation is not likely although John is always cautious about such matters until sufficient points are in the bag.
Hassocks: Phil Wickwar; Dan Jacques, Sol Bowra, Spencer Slaughter, Ian Simpson, Richard Thompson; Stuart Faith, Anthony Hibbert, Adam Williams; James Laing, Jamie Buckett.
Subs: Aaron Walsh (Williams 67), Ian Dawson (Thompson 78), Simon Bristow, Jason Gander (unused).
