BUXTED BEATEN AS HASSOCKS NAVIGATE TRICKY TIE
Hassocks Reserves began their defence of the Mid Sussex Senior Cup with a 4-0 victory away at Buxted.
This was a tricky tie for Hassocks for a variety of reasons. They were facing strong opponents from the Mid Sussex League Championship, the Robins never seem to play well at Buxted Rec and there were an unreal seven players missing from last week’s league defeat to Shoreham.
Among the most noteworthy selection calls were Reece Wickwar showing real commitment by travelling back from Northampton University to fill the void in goal and Nick Pitcher who found the time to step out of Tamplins tanning salon in Burgess Hill.
Despite the warnings from managers Tim Wilkins and Phil Wickwar about not underestimating their opponents, Hassocks made a slow start and were on the back foot from the off.
Buxted made the difficult surface, the beach ball being used and the breeze seem easy to contend with and Wickwar was soon called into action, making a splendid save low down to his left when the Buxted players were already off celebrating a goal.
Wickwar aside, the only Hassocks players doing anything of note were central midfielders Dan Jacques and Matt Sheldon – promoted from the development side – who seemed to be fighting the entire Buxted team on their own.
Wickwar had to produce a fantastic tip over the bar after some loose passing from the Robins and he then saved with his feet when the goal beckoned for the Buxted striker.
Hassocks finally played their first bit of football with 30 minutes gone and it resulted in a goal, captain Jacques finishing with a neat volley to send the visitors into the break with a completely underserved 1-0 lead.
There was a bit of a shock at half time as Wickers didn’t get the chance to deliver the blow out that many expected was coming, Wilkins instead taking on the role of bad cop by tearing into the team.
The Robins were stunned with one player who can’t be named (it was Jacquesy) describing Wilkins’ outburst as being like a fierce maggot.
As the second half started it was clear that his words had done the trick however as Hassocks went 2-0 up. Some great play down the right saw Stuart Brown cross.
Rather than attack the ball, Richard Thomas arrived in the box and proceeded to scare the goalkeeper into making a right hash of things with Thomas taking full advantage to tap home.
It was now all Hassocks and after Buxted didn’t deal with another cross from Brown, Pitcher was able to volley in at the far post for 3-0.
The hosts were on the ropes now and soon the tie was dead and buried. Jacques sent in a free kick and Thomas used all his experience to give a Buxted defender a little nudge out the way, creating the space that the veteran forward needed to volley into the Steve Stanchion.
Hassocks rang the changes, sending Jacques’ 16-year-old brother Lewis Lesbirel on for his reserve team debut on the right hand side of midfield.
Lesbirel didn’t look out of place and he was soon joined by two players at the opposite end of the age and potential spectrum as Wickwar and Wilkins both entered the fray.
Wickwar was able to show off his touch and passing range in the centre of midfield although his turning circle was described by Kane as being wider than an oil tanker.
It was pretty comfortable for Hassocks from that point on, although there was still enough time for Jacques to set a great example to his younger brother by talking himself into a booking after throwing his toys out the pram.
Hassocks: Reece Wickwar; Ellis Common, Nick Pitcher, Rowan Wallis, Luke Pawson; Stuart Brown, Matt Sheldon, Dan Jacques, Jordan Peskett; Richard Thomas, Neil Kane.
Subs: Lewis Lesbirel, Phil Wickwar, Tim Wilkins (used).
Starman: Reece Wickwar kept Hassocks in it in the first half.
