SIX GOAL THRILLER PROVES THE COUNTY LEAGUE’S WORTH
At the end of a week in which the Football Association’s plans to axe the Sussex County League were leaked, Hassocks and Arundel served up the perfect riposte to the suits at Wembley who wish to abolish 92 years of history by playing out an enthralling 3-3 draw at the Beacon.
Should the FA get their way, then this could be the last league meeting between these two sides. Arundel would presumably be moved to the Wessex League with Hassocks joining the Combined Counties; the County League would then cease to exist.
The controversial plans were all anyone could talk about around the Clubhouse before kick off but from the first whistle, both sides put on a show that made those in attendance forget their worries for 90 minutes at least.
Hassocks started brightly and were clearly intent on resuming normal service after their 16-game unbeaten run had come to an end last Friday at home to Ringmer.
Plenty of opportunities came and went before an astonishing seven minute period just past the midway point in the first half saw Arundel score three times.
Home skipper Stuart Faith pulled one back soon after, at which point Hassocks chairman Dave John predicted the game would finish 3-3.
For much of the second half, it looked like the Robins would fall short of John’s bold forecast until they scored twice in the final 15 minutes, leaving John to say, “I told you so.”
Arundel boss Brett Torode was “gutted,” even though he begrudgingly agreed that a draw was probably the right result.
Mickey Jewell meanwhile could be pleased with his afternoon’s work as it was substitute Jamie Weston who teed up both of Hassocks’ late goals, delivering two fine crosses which were converted by the heads of Phil Gault and Phil Johnson.
The outstanding Nathan Cooper was the best player on the pitch in the opening exchanges and he went close inside the first few minutes with a first-time long range strike which was just inches away.
Hassocks had strong claims for a handball in the box turned down before Anthony Hibbert and Gault missed clear cut chances.
Hibbert was then played in by Sam Jeremiah but couldn’t find a way past Mullets goalkeeper James Fernandes and Gault skied over after great work from James Westlake.
Fernandes had been troubled by a knee pull from the start and his afternoon was over in the 22nd minute, Andy McCarthy taking his place between the posts.
Arundel were fortunate to have a goalkeeper of McCarthy’s pedigree on their bench and he served them well over the remainder of the game, save for one late flap at a corner.
Teams often get punished for missing opportunities but even so, it felt harsh that Hassocks had to pay such a heavy price.
The rout began on 28, Gary Norgate effortlessly taking the ball inside of Ashley Marsh before stroking it past Jack Simpson.
90 seconds later and Simpson saved brilliantly from Arundel skipper Scott Tipper; Hassocks couldn’t clear their lines though and eventually Lewis Jenkins slammed in the loose ball.
And most – John excepted – thought it was game over on 35 when a great through ball from Ashley Hunter slipped in Norgate and he finished clinically as the flag stayed down.
Hassocks cut the deficit to two within two minutes, Westlake winning a free kick which was expertly swung over by Chris Maynard and headed home by Faith.
Johnson could have narrowed the gap further in first half stoppage time but his weak effort was turned away by the legs of McCarthy.
It looked like both sides still had goals in them in the second half, but spectators had to wait until late on to see some more, both of which came from Hassocks. Gault headed in at the far post and then Johnson notched with a diving header at the near post.
There was even time for Gault to miss with another free header, but in the end the draw was the right result – and an entertaining one at that. Let’s hope it isn’t the last.
Hassocks: Jack Simpson; Rob South, Ashley Marsh, Stuart Faith, Chris Maynard; James Westlake, Nathan Cooper, Anthony Hibbert, Phil Johnson; Sam Jeremiah, Phil Gault.
Subs: Ben Palmer (Faith 65), Jamie Weston (Maynard 69), Nathan Miles (Jeremiah 76).
Starman: Nathan Cooper, outstanding in the all-important Kieran O’Callaghan holding role and proved there’s much more to his game.
