After four consecutive defeats without scoring a goal and talks of a crisis at the Beacon, it’s now six games unbeaten in all competitions for Hassocks.
This 3-1 victory over Rye United was easily their most impressive result of that run; while the 6-1 victory over East Grinstead Town a week previously had the goals, Rye arrived flying high in the table after an impressive start to the campaign.
Hassocks made them look relatively ordinary however as the Robins eased to victory through goals from Anthony Hibbert, Phil Gault and Nathan Miles.
United started the game with more urgency as Jack Simpson, returning in goal for James Plumley, was called into action saving at point blank range from Jordan Woodley. Both Plumley and left-back Chris Maynard were absent so they could be at the birth of two new arrivals.
The Robins worked their way back into the game and soon opened the scoring. A Jamie Weston shot was deflected behind from a corner and from the resulting set piece, Hibbert rose highest to head home with 35 minutes played.
Hibbert may have over 100 goals for the club, but there aren’t many headers among his back catalogue so this was something of a collectors item for the midfielder.
The joy was short-lived however as the lead lasted just seven minutes before Anthony Atkin put Rye level.
minutes later as Anthony Atkin put Rye level.
A cross from Anthony Storey evaded the Hassocks defence and Atkin met the ball from close range with a diving header.
Neither Gault nor Miles had had a sight of goal for the opening 65 minutes of the contest until the former netted with his first opportunity of the game to put Hassocks back into the lead.
A poor clearance from Rye saw the ball skied high into the air and in the ensuing havoc, eventually the ball fell to Gault who powered it home.
Hassocks reverted to a defensive style of play after that as they tried to see out the game, sitting back and letting Rye try their luck with a number of distance efforts that proved no bother to Simpson.
Speedy substitute Martin Remes did cause problems for the Hassocks defence but it was the home side who got the last goal of the game in the 88th minute.
A long goal-kick from Simpson proved problematic for the United defence as it went all the way down the field of play.
Visiting keeper Callum Christie called for it but failed to collect as the ball bounced over his head. Miles was lurking in the penalty area and he picked up the ball to move within a few inches of goal before accepting the gift and rolling into the empty net.
Happy with the win, Hassocks manager Mickey Jewell said after the match, “I’ve nothing to say other than I’m pleased with the result.”
“It was a good team win and a great result. The strength of the squad was shown through the bench today while Jack Simpson returning also gives us real options alongside James Plumley in goal.”
Hassocks: Jack Simpson; Rob South, Stuart Faith, Ashley Marsh, Lee Bryant; James Westlake, Anthony Hibbert, Kieran O’Callaghan, Jamie Weston; Nathan Miles, Phil Gault.
Subs: Dan Smith (Westlake 70), Dean Smith (O’Callaghan 87), Louis Pople (Gault 88).
Starman: James Westlake
