ROBINS SHOCK HIGH FLYING UNITED IN COMEBACK VICTORY
With only three wins to their name all season, even the most loyal and hardiest of Hassocks supporters would not really have given their young side a prayer of winning away at Eastbourne United Association.
United were last season’s all-conquering Division Two champions and FA Vase semi finalists, an outstanding team who have taken to life back in the top flight of the Sussex County League after a three season absence like a duck to water.
But football, as we know, is nothing but unpredictable and Hassocks turned in their best and most resilient performance of the campaign to secure a 2-1 comeback win and grab an unexpected but vital three points in their relegation battle.
The backbone of success at a blustery Oval was a wonderful first half rearguard action by the Robins with United only one ahead at the interval through Lucas Mann’s headed goal on 12 minutes despite having the majority of the possession and attacks.
For all their dominance of the opening 45, George Willett in the Hassocks goal had only one save of any real note to make in that period and that was from a wayward back header from Bradley Tighe, his own defender.
Tighe, Dan Jacques and in particular the centre half pairing of Rowan Wallis and new signing from Haywards Heath Town Tom Barnes were magnificent throughout, Barnes replacing usual skipper Ashley Marsh who had work commitments.
Wallis and Barnes nullified the threat of United’s dangerous front two of Mann and Peter Cooper admirably, restricting them to speculative efforts.
Mark Dalgleish and Phil Wickwar have stated their desire to bring in players who have the heart and fight to get Hassocks out of their current predicament, and Barnes certainly looks to fit the bill.
He was a mainstay of the youth and reserves set up at the Beacon before leaving for spells with Heath and St Francis Rangers after failing to break into the Robins first team. Now he is back and with a point to prove.
Hassocks were pretty much a non entity as an attacking force in the first period but their confidence grew after the break against an increasingly frustrated United side who also had to hear the home crowd venting their displeasure.
Willett did make a fine low save to deny Joe Summerell on 50 minutes and he was quick off his line to close down the enigmatic Wes Tate a couple of minutes later but in truth that was a good as it got for United, as their good approach play often broke down before threatening too much.
The Robins work rate upped in the second half and and two substitutions from Dalgliesh and Wickwar on 67 and 72 minutes worked the magic for Hassocks.
Firstly, Nathan Miles replaced the tireless and hard working Mark Price who is having his playing time carefully managed after a few niggling injuries and then Bradley Bant came on for Ryan Collins.
Miles almost headed Hassocks level within second of his introduction but his flicked header landed on the roof of the net but the striker wouldn’t be denied for long and on 82 minutes he pulled Hassocks level with a superb finish into the top corner with the outside of his right foot after fine work by Nick Pitcher and Phil Johnson.
The relief from the travel Robins contingent was palpable and four minutes later they were sent into raptures of delight when United failed to clear a cross from Ellis Common and Johnson’s forward header was bundled in by Bant for his first goal in Hassocks colours despite the best efforts of United keeper Russell Tanner.
Tanner was clearly angry at the defending, launching a tirade at his team mates and the hosts rage didn’t stop there as just three minutes after Bant’s scrambled goal, Brad Lewis was shown a straight red card for foul and abuse language towards the assistant referee after disputing a throw in.
Hassocks comfortably saw out the four minutes of injury time added on to record a magnificent win on the road, thanks to a monumental all round team effort, showing plenty of grit and determination to secure a famous comeback win which left Wickwar overjoyed afterwards.
“We got our tactics spot on, defended well in the first half and when we switched formation by taking off Pricey and going two up front it worked to earn three important points, although we all know we have loads of hard work ahead still”.
Hassocks: George Willett; Bradley Tighe, Tom Barnes, Rowan Wallis, Dan Jacques; Ellis Common, Mark Price, Nick Pitcher, Ryan Collins, Pat Rose; Phil Johnson.
Subs: Nathan Miles (Price 67), Bradley Bant (Collins 72), Tom Davess (Rose 87), Jake Booth, Phil Wickwar (unused).
Starman: Shared between Tom Barnes and Rowan Wallis who were simply magnificent.
