NO HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR JOHNSY AS HASSOCKS SUFFER OPENING DAY DEFEAT
The opening game of the 2009-10 Sussex County League Division One season did not provide the best of 62nd birthdays for Hassocks boss Dave John as his side’s frailties were exposed by a Wick outfit who look likely to be among the pacesetters again.
Johnsy’s biggest concern will have been the way in which Wick exposed his side’s lack of pace at the back for their two goals. The Hassocks defence were also exposed when their hosts won a controversial penalty late on.
That had shades of February’s previous meeting between the two at Crabtree Park when Wick were handed a questionable spot kick and a fortunate 3-2 victory. John was slapped with a £50 fine for allegedly abusing a linesman in the aftermath, although this year’s repeat had no bearing on the final result as George Gaskin was brilliantly denied by the returning Joel Harding.
Harding provided a reassuring presence between the sticks after a year away globetrotting while Sol Bowra and Terry Gacias also caught the eye. Gacias has rejoined Hassocks from St Francis Rangers after previously captaining the Robins at youth level while young Bowra was by far the best visiting defender on show.
John still has the holidaying Ashley Marsh, the injured Laurence Robinson and Stuart Faith who is unavailable until the cricket season finishes to welcome back. But even with those three, the suspicion is that Hassocks could be short of the quality needed to push for the safety of midtable.
The most pressing problem appears to be a lack of firepower, although in fairness to the hardworking duo of Neil Kane and Daley Clark, a summer signing from Lingfield, the service was poor throughout. Only Gacias showed fleeting glimpses of the creativity needed to make something happen, suggesting that Hassocks will really miss Anthony Hibbert who has made the step up to Ryman League Horsham YMCA.
Wick tested Harding on several occasions before deservedly going ahead on the half hour. Phil Turner left the Hassocks back three wanting for pace and he set up early substitute George Gaskin for a mishit effort that gave Harding little chance. Gaskin, a summer arrival at Wick from rivals Littlehampton Town, had replaced Steve Boston after just 15 minutes.
The Robins’ only chance of the first 30 minutes came from Spencer Slaughter who had been handed the captain’s armband in the absence of Marsh. Slaughter hit a brilliantly opportunistic effort that was only inches over.
It was something of a surprise then when Hassocks equalised with their first shot on target six minutes after Gaskin’s opener. Richard Thompson advanced up the left and his cross was flicked on by Clark into the path of Slaughter who took a touch before firing home from close range.
Little changed after the break with Wick still looking the better side. They retook the lead on 67 minutes, this time with a far more convincing strike from debutant Gaskin.
Ian Simpson was the Hassocks defender who was outpaced this time as Lee Barnard motored away to cross for Gaskin who lashed in a fierce drive which gave Harding no chance.
Wick had the chance to wrap up the three points with six minutes remaining with a disputed penalty. The lively Scott Murfin, so often a thorn in Hassocks’ side over the years, went down a little too easily under minimal contact from Bowra.
Not only that, but the foul appeared to have taken place outside the box. That was certainly the view of John, whose position in the stands meant that he was dead inline with the so-called offence.
Referee Nigel Baker awarded a penalty however after guidance from his linesman who, despite sharing a similar view to John, believed that Bowra and Murfin had tangled inside the area.
Gaskin converted from the spot but Baker ordered a retake for encroachment and this time, Harding produced a magnificent stop to deny the Wick newcomer a memorable debut hat-trick.
Harding’s save did at least give John something to smile about on his birthday. He and Hassocks will know however that improvement is needed if this isn’t to be a season of struggle similar to the last.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Arni Kublickas, James Laing, Sol Bowra, Ian Simpson, Richard Thompson; Glenn Charker, Spencer Slaughter, Terry Gacias; Neil Kane, Daley Clark.
Subs: Nathan Miles (Charker), Adam Williams (Thompson), Matt Amos (Clark), Jason Gander (unused).
