ROBINS BOW OUT OF CUP TO CLINICAL LANCERS
It was 16 years ago that Hassocks last made the semi finals of the Peter Bentley League Cup and in an ironic twist of fate, one of their best chances to make the last four of the competition since was over after 16 minutes against Lancing.
The Lancers went 2-0 up at that point as Hassocks’ woeful start to proceedings cost them dearly and with it went some of the shine from what has been a remarkable second half of the season so far for the Robins.
There were excuses for their slow start. A kick off time of 7.15pm coupled with heavy traffic owing to a crash on the A27 and Brighton being at home to Sheffield Wednesday meant that many of the Hassocks players did not arrive at Culver Road until 45 minutes before the start.
That early kick off robbed the Robins of Tom Barnes and Jamie Hillwood. They were also without talismanic forward Phil Gault, who was cup tied having played in a previous round for Haywards Heath Town although there was a welcome return for the enigmatic Dan Jacques who appeared as a second half substitute.
And that lack of preparation as a result of the late arrival at Sussex FA HQ showed. Lancing were ahead after just 33 seconds when Alex Harris was unable to gather a cross into the box and Richard Greenfield picked up the pieces from close range.
Lancing had the perfect start while the Robins were in all manner of disarray. It came as little surprise when Lancing extended their lead on 16 minutes, Greenfield again the scorer with an effort from distance that snuck in against the post.
Hassocks belatedly became participants in the game after that. Bradley Bant rattled the crossbar against his old club.
A free kick from the former Lancing man then led to chaos, confusion and an old-school goalmouth scramble. The ball eventually fell to Rowan Wallis who found himself in nosebleed territory as he was tackled at the last.
Another former Lancing player who now dons Hassocks colours in the shape of Jonno Melia was looking dangerous as the first 45 wore on and he was able to work himself some space before firing wide.
The Robins were clearly intent on making an impression on the game in the second half and they certainly did that, Wallis using his wonderful legs to leap like a gazelle and flash another fine Bant delivery over the bar when it seemed easier to score.
Young Jack Wilkins was introduced in place of Melia and the youth team striker showed fantastic feet to foxtrot his way past three Lancing players to tee up the ever lively Michael Death but Death could only lash against the post.
Lewis Finney showed why he is one of the league’s top marksman when his stinging effort was turned away by Harris but the resulting set piece was a disaster for the Robins.
In trademark style, they gave the sort of organisational impression you only see when the Chuckle Brothers are on tour which allowed Finney to smash in the loose ball through a crowd of players from a full 20 yards.
Two minutes later it was Finney who gave the scoreline a look it almost certainly didn’t deserve when he rounded Harris and slotted home for Lancing’s fourth.
Hassocks: Alex Harris; Bradley Tighe, Ashley Marsh, Rowan Wallis, Luke Akehurst; Mark Price, Josh Hawkes, James Westlake, Bradley Bant; Michael Death, Jonno Melia.
Subs: Jack Wilkins (Melia), Dan Jacques (Price), Stuart Faith, George Brown, Reece Wickwar
