HASSOCKS HEARTBROKEN BY LATE TOWN SUCKER PUNCH
Two goals in the last two minutes denied Hassocks what would have been a very good three points against one of the Premier Division title favourites.
The Robins had stormed into a 2-0 lead at the break against Eastbourne Town through Dan Stokes and Josh Hawkes and looked like they would secure a hugely impressive victory before things took a turn for the worse right at the death.
Wes Tate’s second of the game on 91 to level the scores was gutting enough. Yet there was an even more sickening twist when Kenny Pogue netted a 93rd minute winner to ensure Town left with the win.
A draw was the least that Hassocks deserved from an encounter in which they looked every bit as good as their illustrious opponents for the majority of the 90 minutes.
There was no sign of the drama to come in the opening exchanges with very little action at either end in the opening quarter of an hour.
Town had the first really opportunity after that bleak start to proceedings when they hit the bar and then minutes later George Willett produced a strong save low down to his left from a powerful effort from distance.
Nathan Miles was withdrawn injured with Jonno Melia taking his place before the Robins took a shock lead with 20 minutes gone, Luke Akehurst delivering a superb curling ball in which was nodded home neatly by Stokes.
If the cross from Akehurst was good for the first then the finish produced by Hawkes for the second was even better, a stunning distance strike that fizzled past Greg Nessling from all of 35 yards.
That was Hawkes’ third goal of the season from midfield and he is already establishing himself as a firm fan favourite back at the Beacon following his summer move from St Francis Rangers. In his previous spell with the Robins, he was largely restricted to reserve team football.
Hassocks did have the ball in the back of the net for a third time on the stroke of half time from a corner but that was correctly disallowed for a foul on Nessling.
Just as in the first 45, the second half got off to a slow start. It only really sparked into life when Town were awarded a lifeline back into the contest as Tate converted a penalty for 2-1.
Three more good goal scoring opportunities came and went; two for Hassocks as Akehurst’s curling effort was kept out by Nessling and substitute Dan Jacques saw a similar attempt fly over. At the other end, Willett had to put his long legs to good use to deny a forward in-between those chances.
Then came that late, late drama. Tate completed his brace when a ball to the far post was cut back and tucked away before Pogue produced a fantastic first touch and volley which looped over Willett with virtually the last touch of the game.
Joint boss Phil Wickwar confirmed afterwards that the Robins have had a seven day approach accepted by Haywards Heath Town for Phil Gault. The Robins’ 153 goal all-time top scorer could be back in a Hassocks shirt for Saturday’s trip to Chichester City.
The return of Gault will provide a real boost to Wickwar and Mark Dalgleish’s striking options. They’ve also added vastly experienced former Horsham, Three Bridges and East Grinstead Town forward Michael Death who was an unused substitute here.
Those two new signings were at least small consolation on a night that highlighted just why football can be such a cruel game.
Hassocks: George Willett; Bradley Tighe, Tom Barnes, Rowan Wallis, Luke Akehurst; Dan Stokes, Ryan Collins, Josh Hawkes, Bradley Bant, Jamie Hillwood; Nathan Miles.
Subs: Jonno Melia, Dan Jacques (used), Michael Death, Jake Booth, Jordan Millis (unused).
