ROBINS ON-SONG AS SUBLIME TEAM EFFORT SINKS THE STRINGERS
Every once in a while, and usually in the face of adversity, Hassocks produce a superb team performance which frustrates and delights in equal measures and the visit of Hailsham Town to the Beacon was one such occasion.
The Stringers arrived unbeaten in six. Hassocks meanwhile were missing seven first team regulars. Despite the odds being stacked against them, Dave John’s side showed magnificent team spirit, an abundance of flair in possession and a solid base at the back to send their in-form visitors to a 2-0 defeat.
What was most pleasing for home connections was the amount of possession that Hassocks had and how they used it. In last week’s 0-0 draw at East Grinstead Town, the Robins couldn’t string more than two passes together. Nobody in red looked willing to take the game by the scruff of the neck at the GAC Stadium and as a result, Hassocks were happy to escape with a point.
This week, they dominated proceedings and could have won by five or six were it not for an inspired goalkeeping show from Glen Jenner in the Hailsham goal. Hassocks did have to weather an early storm but once they had seen Stuart Lewis head wide and Ashley Jarvis fire over inside the opening eight minutes, the Robins took control of midfield and dominated the game.
With Sol Bowra defended, Kieran O’Callaghan came in to partner his old university teammate Pete Lear at the back and they formed a rock-solid duo. O’Callaghan in particular looked assured, especially when allowed to step into midfield to help out Anthony Hibbert, Daley Clark and Phil Gault.
Dan Jacques and Richard Thompson hardly wasted a pass out wide. Thompson had Hassocks’ first chance of the afternoon, forcing a brilliant fingertip save from Jenner from six yards and then Clark thundered a shot against Jenner’s bar from 22 yards following a corner. Hibbert forced another save low down and then chipped just over.
There was a scare at the over end when the reliable Ashley Marsh had to clear off the line from Dave Harris, whilst on 45 minutes Sam Jeremiah was denied by Jenner’s grab on the line after the Hailsham stopper had fumbled a Clark header.
In the first minute of the second half, Jeremiah showed the Hassocks faithful what an asset he can be with a mazy, weaving run that ended with a shot hitting the arm of Paul Richardson.
Referee Ryan Ellis deemed it accidental and waved away the penalty shouts, one of a number of spot-on decisions that he made in an excellent refereeing performance. Mr Ellis allowed the game to flow without needing to reach for his book once, instead defusing any flashpoints with a quiet word.
For all their possession and pleasing football, Hassocks were finding the Hailsham backline a difficult nut to crack. James Laing had an effort blocked and Gault’s free kick was well saved by Jenner down to the keeper’s right.
Laing curled another shot just wide and Gault showed brilliant awareness to spot Jenner off his line, launching an audacious effort towards goal from a full 35 yards. Despite Jenner’s desperate backpedalling, he was well beaten but unfortunately for Gault, the ball shot whistled narrowly over the bar.
The deadlock was finally broken on 74 minutes through a superb piece of football. Laing, Hibbert and Clark linked up through the middle to release Thompson down the left and his pinpoint cross was headed in by Laing, who didn’t even need to break his stride.
60 seconds later and it was 2-0. Laing laid off to the unmarked Hibbert on the edge of the box with Hibbert’s shot taking a slight deflection on its way to beating Jenner. It was the least that Hassocks deserved with the game all but over now.
Neil Kane made his return from injury on 82 but lasted only two minutes. Kane was bundled over in the box with his shoulder popping out of place and although the joint thankfully returned to place easily and correctly, Kane was still withdrawn as a precaution for what must be one of the shortest appearances in Hassocks history.
Deep in injury time and Hibbert was denied his second and Hassocks’ third when Jenner brilliantly tipped a free kick onto the post at full stretch. That would have been the icing on the cake for the Robins had that gone in with this being their most pleasing performance of the season.
Hassocks: Jack Simpson; Dan Jacques, Pete Lear, Ashley Marsh, Kieran O’Callaghan, Richard Thompson; Daley Clark, Phil Gault, Anthony Hibbert; James Laing, Sam Jeremiah.
Subs: Neil Kane (Laing 82), Michael Bates (Kane 84), Ian Dawson (Clark 90).
Starman: Very difficult when the whole team performs so admirably but just goes to Kieran O’Callaghan, who looked composed and solid in equal measures.
