KANE HITS A TREBLE TO LAND ROBINS A TREBLE
The Beacon is going to need a bigger trophy cabinet. Hassocks Reserves brought the curtain down on a remarkable campaign by winning their third trophy of the season as they retained the Sussex County League Reserve Section Cup against Eastbourne United Association.
It was the final that everyone wanted. Hassocks and United had been the two outstanding sides in the Reserve Premier Division this season, the Robins taking the title by a margin of 11 goals from their cup final opponents.
Hassocks had led the way almost from day one. Roy Staughton’s side were unbeaten until losing against Littlehampton Town three weeks ago and as a hectic schedule took its toll – this Reserve Section Cup Final was their eighth game in 21 days since that defeat against the Golds – the Robins won just one of their last four league fixtures.
That opened the door just a crack for United. They couldn’t quite get through it though, needing to beat East Preston by 14 goals in their final game of the campaign on Saturday to pip Hassocks to the title.
United won, but only by three. The Robins were therefore crowned champions at the weekend at the same time as they were beating Ifield 5-3 to lift the Mid Sussex Senior Charity Cup. The double was in the bag.
In terrible conditions of wind and rain that was more akin to November than May, Hassocks now had their eyes on an historic treble. United were out for revenge for missing out on the title.
All the ingredients were there for a classic cup final and that is exactly what we got at Ringmer’s Caburn ground. One red card, a hat-trick, seven goals and a last minute winner eventually culminated in the Robins lifting the trophy via an extraordinary 4-3 win.
In a game that ebbed and flowed from start to finish, it was United who took the lead inside the opening five minutes through Jack McLean.
Nick Pitcher, scorer of Hassocks’ fifth goal in their weekend Mid Sussex Senior Cup triumph, equalised with 20 on the clock before a dramatic final 10 minutes brought the first half to a close.
Howard Davey restored United’s lead but if they thought they were going to make it to the break 2-1 ahead then they were sorely mistaken as Neil Kane started his journey towards a hat-trick with two goals to turn the game on its head.
That threw United off their stride and early in the second half, they lost their discipline as well as their lead when Callum Legate saw red.
If Hassocks believed that was the game done, then it was their turn to be mistaken. As is so often the case, the Robins found it harder playing against 10 men than 11 and when Sammy Bunn equalised with five minutes remaining, the game seem destined for extra time.
Kane had other ideas though. His 34th goal of the season completed his treble with less than 60 seconds left, sparking wild celebrations from the Hassocks contingent.
The Robins’ veteran striker James Laing was named man-of-the-match in what was his final appearance before retiring. It was a fitting way for a genuine Hassocks legend to bow out after 350 first team games, countless more for the reserve and third teams over the past few seasons and a club record 143 goals in senior football.
In a touching gesture, Laing lifted the cup alongside captain Dan Jacques. Hassocks also got their hands on their Reserve Premier trophy, rounding off a fantastic season in which they have rewritten the record books.
