MORE CUP DISAPPOINTMENT FOR HASSOCKS AT THE HANDS OF EAST SUSSEX OPPONENTS
Whilst Hassocks remain unbeaten in the league so far this season under Mickey Jewell, the Robins’ performances in cup competitions have been a source of bitter disappointment for their new boss.
After exiting the RUR Charity Cup at the hands of lowly Sidley United 11 days earlier, it was another East Sussex club in Rye United who eliminated Hassocks from the John O’Hara League Cup via a 2-0 defeat at the earliest opportunity.
The pace, urgency and fluency which had seen the Robins become the first side to take a point from Three Bridges on Tuesday night was sadly missing.
Hassocks were also guilty of giving away possession far too easily and created very little in front of goal, not helped by the absence of Phil Gault. The Robins’ talisman was suffering with a knee injury.
Rye provided competent and organised opponents and it would not be a surprise to see them challenging Bridges for the title come the end of the season, providing they are not too badly impacted by their current home ground situation.
An arson attack on the clubhouse at the Salts at the end of October caused enough damage to mean that it cannot be used again, leaving Rye to face a nomadic existence for the near-future at least.
This tie was switched to the home of Rye’s near-neighbours Little Common. The pitch at the Recreation Ground was rather bobbly and, coupled with a very strong wind, that meant both sides struggled to make much happen in the first half.
The best two chances of the opening 45 both arrived inside of five minutes, punishing any latecomers. Dan Smith decided to get an early feeler for what the wind could do when he let one go from distance. The lively Dan Leach then fired into the side netting for Rye from a tight but well placed angle.
Both sides were content to knock the ball around after that without ever taking the risk to go for that killer pass. The possession stats would have been relatively high but the shot count was non-existent, leaving Jack Simpson and his opposite number Josh Pelling as mere spectators.
One worry for Hassocks was that they lost the industrious Lee Waterhouse to a thigh injury midway through the first half. His place was taken by the fit again Dan Jacques, returning for his first appearance of the season.
Hassocks fell behind on 53 minutes when they were caught on the break following a free kick of their own deep in the Rye half.
Leach took possession from the clearance and played a neat exchange with Liam Upton, whose cross was headed in via the far post by Ryan Moreby.
It was a fine counter attacking goal not really in keeping with the turgid fare that had come before. Moreby in particular deserved a lot of credit for making up the best part of 80 yards so rapidly up the Rye right to get on the end of Upton’s delivery.
Rye took control after that, Scott Ramsay flashing a shot wide and Jack Dixon firing over the bar when he should have at least worked Simpson.
Jewell twisted with 20 minutes left to go, making a double change as Sam Jeremiah and Neil Kane replaced Spencer Slaughter and Smith to give Hassocks two out-and-out forwards on the pitch.
It nearly had the desired impact. Simpson made an excellent full stretch save to deny Dixon and then Jeremiah had the Robins’ best chance of the afternoon, outpacing the Rye defence but not getting enough purchase on his shot which was saved comfortably by Pelling.
The game should have been sewn up by Rye on 81 minutes but substitute Matt MacLean somehow contrived to miss from six yards.
His fellow replacement Sam Cole was not so wasteful five minutes later, heading home unmarked after Hassocks were caught surprised when an acrobatic hook back from the by-line by Dixon kept the ball in play.
Kane nearly claimed a consolation but he shot straight at Pelling in injury time, leaving Hassocks with only the Sussex Senior Cup to focus on alongside their league campaign.
Jewell was not shy in stating that he felt the performance was not good enough before the long journey home and will hope that his side can bounce back at Ringmer on Saturday.
Hassocks: Jack Simpson; Rob South, Ashley Marsh, Pete Lear, Andy Whittingham; Lee Waterhouse, Anthony Hibbert, Spencer Slaughter, Kieran O’Callaghan, Elliott Butler, Dan Smith.
Subs: Dan Jacques (Waterhouse 21), Neil Kane (Slaughter 69), Sam Jeremiah (Smith 69).
Starman: Skipper Ashley Marsh stood out on a disappointing day with his handling of former Albion striker Scott Ramsay.
