HIGH FLYING HAWKS GIVEN A REAL FRIGHT BY PLUCKY ROBINS
Hassocks gave the all-stars of big spending Whitehawk a mighty scare before succumbing to a 5-3 defeat in a hugely entertaining afternoon at the Beacon.
Neil Kane’s brace inside the opening 20 minutes gave the home supporters in a sizable crowd of 160 hope of an upset against the Sussex County League leaders and title favourites.
The Hawks though showed that they have got fight to go with their considerable talents as they ground out a win despite playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men following Jay Lovett’s dismissal for a professional foul.
Hassocks pushing their illustrious hosts so close was particularly impressive given that Dave John was without two of his most creative players. Terry Gacias and Phil Gault were both missing through injury with Michael Bates and Kane coming into the starting line up.
Kane certainly made the most of the opportunity. He gave Hassocks the lead on 13 minutes when tapping in from close range and then doubled the advantage four minutes after converting an Arni Kublickas centre from an Anthony Hibbert pass.
Whitehawk were clearly flustered with the Robins completely in charge. It was harsh on Hassocks when the visitors pulled one back against the run of play on 21 minutes, Matt Geard being left with too much space on the edge of the box to place a pinpoint shot into the bottom corner.
That was a reminder for the Robins that they couldn’t afford to give Whitehawk even a half chance. Bates headed narrowly wide in a good response from Hassocks but they hadn’t learned from the first Hawks goal as a comedy moment from the unfortunate Sol Bowra gifted the visitors an equaliser on 32 minutes.
Bowra had two good opportunities to clear from the by-line but he just couldn’t get his foot through, instead tripping over his own leg. The ball scuffed its way to Josh Jones whose low cross was slotted home by Scott Kirkwood.
Whitehawk kept the ball well after that but it was Hassocks who had the best chance before the break. Kane caused further havoc down the flanks with Hibbert just unable to connect properly with the cross into the box.
The second half saw Whitehawk start brightly as Wes Tate continued to torment poor Bowra, escaping the attentions of the Hassocks defender to play in James Fraser. Joel Harding had to be alert to parry well from the former Bristol Rovers midfielder.
There was nothing that Harding could do when Whitehawk took the lead on 51. Lovett’s 25 yarder took a wicked deflection off Ashley Marsh which left the Robins goalkeeper clutching at air. Hassocks tempers became frayed after that as Spencer Slaughter and Bowra entered the book.
Fraser curled a shot wide and Harding saved well again, this time from Tate who had spun away from Bowra. Jay Head sent a header over as Whitehawk continued their search for what would surely be a killer fourth.
On 66 minutes, Hassocks were gifted a lifeline thanks to Lovett. The ex-Brentford man felled Kane in the box and after a pretty unnecessary consultation with his linesman, referee Nick Brown pointed to the spot and sent Lovett for an early bath. Hibbert duly sent Stuart Robinson the wrong way with his kick and the Robins were level.
Hassocks now had 25 minutes against 10 men to either hold on or try and cause an almighty shock by pushing for a winner. Unfortunately, they were unable to do either as Whitehawk responded by upping their game.
They didn’t waste a pass and took the lead within three minutes of Hibbert’s equaliser. Tate was able to break through the Robins defence and skipped around Harding before rolling into an empty net for 4-3.
John gave a welcome debut to former St Francis Rangers goal machine Sam Jeremiah in the final 10 minutes but he struggled to make much inroads and Tate wrapped up victory for Whitehawk as the game entered injury time, outpacing Bowra before letting fly a shot which Harding got plenty on but couldn’t keep out.
Whilst the outcome was disappointing for Hassocks, the Robins could certainly took heart with the way they competed and nobody in the crowd could have left unhappy with the afternoon’s fare.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Dan Jacques, Sol Bowra, Ashley Marsh, Stuart Faith, Arni Kublickas; Michael Bates, Spencer Slaughter, Anthony Hibbert; James Laing, Neil Kane.
Subs: Sam Jeremiah (Laing 78), Daley Clark (Bates 54), Ian Simpson, Martin Woods, Jason Gander (unused).
Starman: Despite letting in five goals, it goes to Joel Harding.
