BRIDGES SHOW TITLE CREDENTIALS BY EASING PAST UNDERSTRENGTH HASSOCKS
At the start of every Sussex County League season for as long as anyone can remember, Three Bridges have been mentioned as title hopefuls.
For one reason or another, the championship never seems to end up heading to Jubilee Field. Whisper it quietly, but this might be the year that finally changes based on what Hassocks saw on their August Bank Holiday Monday trip up the B2036.
The Robins were again missing key personnel for their 2-0 defeat against Bridges but even if Mickey Jewell had a full strength squad to choose from, it is doubtful that the outcome would have been any different.
That tells you a lot about how good this Three Bridges side are. When everyone is available, Hassocks can field two starting XIs of equal quality.
What the Robins lack though is that extra class in key areas. Bridges have it in abundance and it surely makes them the team to beat in Division One this year.
Take Lee Carney for example. The gifted midfield can create space out of nothing, although he no doubt appreciated Hassocks doing their best to give him extra room to run the show.
Carney’s string pulling ensured the game was won by half time. Bridges had their two goal lead and were content enough to cease exertions in trying to extend to.
Hassocks did lots of huffing and puffing but in truth, they never threatened to get back into it. Bridges looked rock solid at the back, which is ultimately where title winning teams are built from.
Phil Johnson worked immensely hard in a thankless role as the Robins’ lone front runner. He managed to pull a good save from home goalkeeper Dean Ruddy inside the first minute, a warning shot to Bridges that they heeded by taking an early lead 120 seconds later.
Carney’s technically superb volley from distance crashed against the cross bar with Jack Simpson grasping at thin air. The rebound fell to Joel O’Hara who was calmness personified, unerringly firing in his 100th goal for the club.
Hassocks appeared to have been offered a lifeline on 21 minutes when Ruddy brought down Johnson in the box and referee Gary Hamilton pointed to the spot.
Mr Hamilton then changed the decision after consultation with his assistant revealed an offside in the build up. Nobody was sure if it was the correct outcome.
There was no question however that Mr Hamilton had a poor match, making a series of decisions that baffled and frustrated the Robins.
Two minutes later and more hard work from Johnson pressured Andy Howard into a mistake. Nathan Miles picked up the pieces, only for his final shot to lack the conviction required to beat Ruddy.
With Carney and Bridges dominating an increasingly technical battle in midfield, Jewell made a tactical adjustment on 25 minutes to try and redress the balance.
Matt Carruthers moved forward from centre back to switch places with Stuart Faith, whose more agricultural approach was being found wanting as passes zipped around.
Carruthers initially got on the ball and began spraying it to red shirts. It was not long though until Bridges had him pinned back and he was performing much the same holding role as Faith, unable to get more than 10 yards away from the toes of the Hassocks back four.
The second Bridges goal arrived on 36 minutes. Elliot Romain needed to show excellent control when released before easily slipping the ball under the body of the advancing Simpson.
Hassocks almost found a way back into the game with the last kick of the half. Chris Maynard’s poorly struck corner found Johnson whose effort flashed across the face of the goal from a tight angle.
Simpson prevented Bridges adding a third within a minute of the second half with a brilliant save from Siao Blackwood, after which the hosts sat back suspecting that the Robins would not have the wherewithal to break them down.
They were right. Simpson at least had a quieter morning, fielding only routine work when he might otherwise have been expected to become increasingly busy had the hosts decided to turn the screw.
At the other end, Hassocks threatened just once more. Johnson prodded past Ruddy with an effort that looked like it might creep in until former Burgess Hill Town and St Francis Rangers player Charlie Cooke hooked clear.
Defeat stretched the Robins’ winless run to four matches. Whereas it looks like something special will be needed to stop Bridges this season, Jewell will be praying his best players are back soon and on song to get Hassocks’ campaign up and running.
Hassocks: Jack Simpson; James Westlake, Sam Goodridge, Matt Carruthers, Andy Whittingham; Lee Waterhouse, Nathan Miles, Phil Gault, Stuart Faith, Chris Maynard; Phil Johnson.
Subs: Elliott Butler (Waterhouse 45), Josh Hawkes (Miles 57), Stuart Brown (Maynard 76).
Starman: It goes jointly to Phil Johnson and James Westlake, the latter doing well as a makeshift right back.
