NEW BOYS CONTINUE TO IMPRESS AS HASSOCKS PROGRESS
For the second weekend in a row, Hassocks defeated Division One opponents with uncharacteristic ease as they progressed to the second round of the Sussex Senior Cup with a 3-1 success at Midhurst & Easebourne.
Although not as glamorous as the previous Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Lingfield in the Peter Bentley Cup, this represented another good days work for the Robins against a well organised Midhurst outfit who defied their lowly place near the bottom of the the Southern Combination League’s second tier.
Phil Wickwar’s assessment was that this was exactly the sort of game Hassocks would have lost a year ago. That is probably as good an indication as any as to how far this young squad have come having successfully battled their way out of relegation trouble last season.
The experience the side gained during that campaign as well as several shrewd additions means that the Robins now have enough strength in depth to talk about squad rotation and resting players.
That newfound quality was in evidence here – firstly by the fact that Ashley Marsh, Dan Jacques, Dan Stokes, Bradley Bant and Nick Pitcher were all missing and yet the Robins coped easily.
Secondly, a quick glance at the score sheet shows the names of three new arrivals in Josh Hawkes, Spencer Slaughter and Jonno Melia. Hassocks’ work on the transfer front is clearly paying off.
Those goals – as well as Midhurst’s consolation – all came in a frantic 25 minute period in the second half. That was one of two ridiculous bursts in which all the action seemed to occur, the other coming in the opening 25 minutes of the first half.
Nathan Miles had two excellent chances to give Hassocks the lead inside the first quarter of an hour, failing just to connect to a cross after Jamie Hillwood got away down the left and then turning and spinning beautifully 10 yards out only to blaze over.
George Willett produced an excellent save to ensure the hosts didn’t punish the Robins for those misses. A lull in proceedings following in the middle third of the game before things sparked into life as Hassocks took control without ever really hitting top gear.
Hawkes opened the scoring on the hour mark when he fired home with aplomb after a free kick was headed down. Five minutes later and Slaughter embarked on a strong marauding run which was topped off by a neat finish.
That should have been that but Midhurst were gifted a potential way back into the tie on 75, a long hoof from George Morris leading to Willett and a home striker getting in a right tangle.
The ball eventually ended up in the back of the net with the Hassocks goalkeeper clearly impeded. Quite why the goal was allowed to stand was unfathomable, not just to the Hassocks bench but also the home dugout who burst into laughter at the decision.
That generous decision spurred the hosts into think that a comeback was on, but those hopes were extinguished with five minutes left to play when substitute Melia raced clear and showed great composure to round the goalkeeper and finish.
A home tie was what Wickwar fancied for his charges as a reward for this solid result with the Robins joint boss saying, “A tricky tie negotiated and that is what it is all about.”
“We are building a reasonable squad now and it is important to use everyone. There is still room for improvement from us yet.”
Hassocks: George Willett; Bradley Tighe, Tom Barnes, Rowan Wallis, Luke Akehurst; Mark Price, Ryan Collins, Josh Hawkes, Spencer Slaughter, Jamie Hillwood; Nathan Miles.
Subs: Jonno Melia (Slaughter), Arni Kublickas (Hillwood), Jake Booth (unused).
