GAULT’S EARLY GOAL GIVES ROBINS FIRST WIN IN SIX
Phil Gault’s fifth minute goal was enough to give Hassocks a 1-0 win over lowly East Grinstead Town, with manager Dave John hoping it signals an end to a difficult couple of months for the Robins.
Since ending the 13 game unbeaten run of Sussex County League leaders Shoreham at Middle Road at the start of November, Hassocks hadn’t tasted victory in their subsequent six outings.
They were in danger of sliding into a relegation battle while the 6-0 hammering at Three Bridges a little over three weeks ago – a score line which could have been double figures were it not for goalkeeper Joel Harding – looked like it would sap any remaining confidence.
On Saturday, they showed great fighting spirit to recover from 3-1 down with 13 minutes left to play to draw 3-3 with Crawley Down. The next step in their recovery would be to pick up three very welcome points, which duly arrived as the Wasps came to the Beacon.
Young Nathan Miles was the hero from the bench against Down, winning a penalty and then scoring the equaliser all within seven minutes of his introduction. He was rewarded for that enterprising showing with a first start of the season, replacing James Laing in attack.
That was the only change John made from the side who drew with Down. Hassocks started brightly and got their reward with just five minutes on the clock when Gault popped up to net his ninth goal of the season.
Anthony Hibbert delivered a corner which was helped on by Daley Clark to the back post, where Gault was lurking to power home. Conceding in such a soft manner did not seem to impress East Grinstead boss Steve Johnson, and he achieved the impressive feat of managing to get sent from the away dugout for a second confrontation with the referee inside of 30 minutes.
Before Johnson’s departure to the stands, Harding had to save well from Drew Crush after the Wasps nearly took advantage of a poor clearance from home skipper Ashley Marsh. A storming run from Miles was halted when he was felled in the box, the Robins seeing their strong penalty appeals waved away.
Harding produced another fine and brave save at the feet of Kieran Wilson before Hassocks were dealt a serious blow on the stroke of half time when Stuart Faith was forced off with a bad knock on the ankle. Faith was making only his second start after seven weeks out injured, so another spell on the sidelines would be untimely for both player and club.
Richard Thompson replaced Faith for his first appearance since the opening weeks of the season. Thompson took over at left wing back, Arni Kublickas switched to the right and Dan Jacques came into the back central three as Faith’s absence caused a game of positional roulette.
The second half provided entertaining fare and an evenly balanced contest. It was end-to-end stuff with John Sinclair squandering a clear chance for East Grinstead before Hassocks went close twice in five minutes through Spencer Slaughter.
The midfielder saw a header cleared off the line from a corner and then thought he had beaten Matt May in the visitors’ goal, only to see May somehow claw the ball out of the top corner when back pedaling. May later did well to keep out an explosive snap volley from Gault.
Gault dropped back into midfield with 11 minutes remaining as Laing entered the action and Laing almost had a goal with his first touch, his curling effort from 30 yards bending narrowly wide of the upright. Gault came even closer when his audacious volley from 40 yards caught everyone by surprise, not least May who could only watch as it cannoned back off the post and into his grateful arms.
East Grinstead had their chances too, Harding saving from Sinclair and Marc Pelling. Johnson said afterwards that he felt his side were worthy of a draw and although he may have had a point, the home faithful were not too concerned with injustices as Hassocks needed this result to get their season back onto an even keel.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Dan Jacques, Sol Bowra, Ashley Marsh, Stuart Faith, Arni Kublickas; Daley Clark, Spencer Slaughter, Anthony Hibbert; Phil Gault, Nathan Miles.
Subs: Richard Thompson (Faith 42), James Laing (Clark 79), Sam Jeremiah, Jason Gander (unused).
Starman: Spencer Slaughter.
