MILES’ LOB EARNS HASSOCKS A SHARE OF THE SPOILS
Hassocks secured a second 1-1 draw at home in the space of four days as a workmanlike performance earned a share of the spoils against Eastbourne United Association.
Just like in the weekend stalemate with Broadbridge Heath, both sides had chances to win in a game that ebbed and flowed from one end to the other but at the end of the day, a draw was the right result.
There was some rare consistency in the Hassocks team selection with just two changes from the encounter with Heath. Dan Stokes was unable to make the midweek journey back from university in Southampton and so he was replaced by Bradley Bant while Michael Death dropped to the bench as Nathan Miles returned.
Miles justified that selection by scoring the Robins goal in brilliant fashion with 20 minutes played. It’s the fourth of what is proving to be a good season so far after the best part of two years that have been plagued by injury troubles.
A pass down the right hand channel left visiting goalkeeper James Broadbent in two minds about whether to come and attempt to clear and Miles took full advantage of that indecision by opportunistically lobbing the ball over him from a good 25 yards.
The goal was the culmination of a frantic opening quarter to the tie on a zippy Beacon surface. Both teams attacked with menace at a fast pace although there was a lack of quality when it came to finishing chances as neither Broadbent or his opposite number Reece Wickwar were forced into a save of note.
The closest that either side had managed before Miles’ opener was Aaron Filsell’s fizzing effort which thundered back off the post before eventually being scrambled to safety by a grateful Hassocks defence.
Broadbent atoned for his part in the goal in stoppage time at the end of the first half when he did well to turn an effort around the post to keep United in the game.
The visitors new manager Tobi Hutchinson introduced Nik Chamberlain at the break and he immediately began to ask questions of the Hassocks defence with his direct style.
Hutchinson has only been in the job a matter of weeks after the resignation of Simon Rowland but he has already begun reshaping his squad.
A number of talented young players have arrived and it was two debutants who linked up for the equaliser on the hour mark, Oscar Hall’s pullback being drilled across the body of Wickwar by Tom Saunders.
That proved to be the cue for Hassocks to start playing again and they responded well, almost retaking the lead through Rowan Wallis as a corner led to yet more chaotic scenes in the goalmouth.
With time running out, both sides piled forward in the hope of snatching a winner but despite their best efforts, neither goalkeeper was called into a meaningful save.
Hassocks’ work rate was excellent throughout and that was of great satisfaction to Phil Wickwar after a few lacklustre performances. The Robins joint boss said afterwards he was a little disappointed not to pick up all three points.
But the performance should give them heart ahead of a ridiculously tough run of fixtures which encompasses Lancing, Horsham YMCA and Pagham – all of whom look to be genuine title contenders in what is so far proving to be a surprisingly open Premier Division.
Hassocks: Reece Wickwar; Bradley Tighe, Ashley Marsh, Rowan Wallis, Luke Akehurst; Bradley Bant, Josh Hawkes, Mark Price, Jamie Hillwood; Nathan Miles, Phil Gault.
Subs: Michael Death, Tom Barnes, Nick Pitcher (used), Dan Jacques, Phil Wickwar (unused).
