ROBINS CUP RUN ENDS IN HEARTBREAKING FASHION
Much has been made of the downturn in the status of the FA Cup in recent years, but nobody who was at the Beacon for Hassocks’ heartbreaking 2-1 first qualifying round defeat to Chipstead could doubt that there is still a magical element to the oldest cup competition in the world.
Three goals, a red card and a last minute penalty miss meant the 100+ in attendance were certainly given their moneys worth – even if for Robins fans it was a case of wondering what might have been.
They haven’t beaten a side from a higher division in this competition since Newport Isle of Wight were dispatched at the same stage back in 2006.
And in truth, they probably should have been looking forward to at least a replay against their below par Ryman League South opponents.
That penalty miss from Phil Gault was a particularly cruel moment for Mickey Jewell’s side to take, but they had enough chances in the first half for it to have not come down to the final kick of the game.
The lively Nathan Miles missed a one-on-one just minutes in, Jamie Hillwood went close on a couple of occasions and Nathan Cooper also troubled visiting goalkeeper Anthony Hall as Hassocks were the better side in the opening exchanges.
It was Chipstead however who took the lead when Scott Simpson was allowed to carry the ball from just inside the Hassocks half, breezing through three home players before toe poking past Jack Simpson for a fine solo effort.
Hillwood grabbed an equaliser 10 minutes later with a superb flowing move from front to back. Kieran O’Callaghan won back possession for the Robins with the ball eventually finding its way to the left flank via Gault.
Hillwood still had plenty to do from out wide as he galloped onto the ball before finishing with aplomb for his fourth of an increasingly impressive campaign after stepping up from the reserves.
The winner came in the second half from the penalty spot after an Ashley Marsh handball, Dan Moody stroking home before the game really fired into life in a memorable final five minutes.
Substitute Mark Price had been on the pitch less than 10 minutes when he tangled with a Chips midfielder before appearing to hit out at him.
That left referee Andrew Dines with little choice but to show Price his second red card in the space of a week following his dismissal at East Grinstead Town on Tuesday night.
If anything, that decision seemed to spur the Robins on as they threw everything they had at Chipstead in an attempt to find an equaliser. Phil Johnson had arguably their best opportunity, seeing Hall wonderfully stop his volley from a Miles lay off.
Hassocks also threw Simpson forward for two corners in the final minutes and only a superb tip over from his opposite number prevented the goalkeeper netting the leveller himself with a looping header that seemed destined for the top corner.
It looked at that point like the game was well and truly up until Mr Dines handed Hassocks a lifeline with his decision to award them a penalty in the seventh minute of injury time.
Unfortunately for the Robins, Gault saw his spot kick well saved by Hall down to his right before the final whistle blew after the rebound couldn’t be forced in.
That brought Hassocks’ hopes of making the second qualifying round for what would have been just the third time in the clubs 111 year history to the most painful of ends.
Hassocks: Jack Simpson; Rob South, Ashley Marsh, Kieran O’Callaghan, Tom Davess; Anthony Hibbert, Jamie Ingham, Nathan Cooper, Jamie Hillwood; Nathan Miles, Phil Gault.
Subs: Phil Johnson (Ingham 55), Mark Price (Hillwood 78), Ellis Common, Chris Maynard, Dan Jacques, Aaron Czech, Alex Harris (unused).
Starman: Jamie Hillwood was a constant menace and netted a deserved goal.
