SULLIVAN STRIKES LATE TO DENY HASSOCKS AN UNLIKELY POINT
The history books will record the first ever league meeting between Crawley Down and Hassocks as being a 2-1 win for the hosts at the Haven, but in reality Division One’s newest club should have triumphed far more comfortably.
Down dominated the first half and if they had brought their shooting boots, they would have been out of sight by the time the teams turned around.
Hassocks were much improved in the second half going down the significant slope at the Haven. They grabbed an equaliser and came within three minutes of what would have been an undeserved point before former Burgess Hill Town favourite Nick Sullivan fired home the game’s decisive goal.
Dave John made one enforced change from his sides 2-2 draw against Arundel at the weekend. Ian Simpson left proceedings against the Mullets with a first half injury and could be out for some time.
Stuart Faith came in here, although his cricketing commitments will mean he remains unavailable for Saturday matches for a few weeks yet.
John could only name three subs – Dan Jacques who continues to step up his return from injury and reserve team regulars Richard Thomas and Tom Barnes. With Spencer Slaughter facing a one game ban, Hassocks could really do with some reinforcements ahead of a packed September schedule. John said that he has a couple of irons in the fire in that regard, included some much-needed firepower.
Down for their part look capable of making a real impression on the County League’s top flight in their debut season. Before this meeting, Hassocks had previously faced the Anvils in three cup matches, winning all three with 11 goals scored and none conceded.
It became very apparent very quickly that they would be unlikely to extend that impressive record on this occasion. Down played some excellent football in the opening 45 minutes as Hassocks struggled to break out of their own half.
Daley Clark and Neil Kane cut a couple of isolated figures up front and unlike against Arundel when the Robins’ midfield was so commanding, Terry Gacias, Anthony Hibbert and Slaughter struggled to get much of a foothold.
Aaron Watson notched the only goal of the first half with a clever dink over Joel Harding. Given the chances that had gone begging for the hosts, the talk around the Haven at half time surrounded on whether Down would come to regret having just Watson’s name on the scoresheet.
Hassocks certainly began the second half like they were determined to take advantage of the fact they were somehow still in the game. Kane’s pace was proving a real asset down the hill and that eventually led to an equaliser in the hour mark.
Conceding free kicks against Hassocks within 30 yards of goal is a risky business at the moment given the form that Hibbert is in. Down discovered that to their cost when Kane was hauled to the ground on the edge of the box and Hibbert stepped up to convert in trademark style for his third goal in as many games.
Down reasserted themselves following the leveller but it looked like Hassocks would pick up their seventh point on the road this season right up until the 87th minute when Sullivan struck.
It was a well placed finish from the former Hillian and no less than Down deserved. For Hassocks, it was a bitter pill to swallow given how late the winner arrived, but John and his players will know that they can play much better than this.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Arni Kublickas, Sol Bowra, Ashley Marsh, Stuart Faith, Richard Thompson; Terry Gacias, Spencer Slaughter, Anthony Hibbert; Daley Clark, Neil Kane.
Subs: Dan Jacques, Richard Thomas (used), Tom Barnes (unused).
