DEFENCE DAZZLES AS ROBINS WIN AGAIN
A few weeks ago, Hassocks would’ve been dreading back-to-back league fixtures with Eastbourne Town and Horsham YMCA.
They hadn’t beaten Town in a decade before last weekend’s excellent 2-1 victory and this weekend they laid to rest another ghost of sorts with just their 10th league victory over YMCA in 36 attempts.
Liam Benson’s sixth goal of the season 10 minutes from time was enough to decide the tie 1-0 in the Robins favour and ease their relegation worries – they are now just five points shy of the magical 40 mark which Mark Dalgleish and Phil Wickwar have been targeting since day one.
Wickwar described YM as having “an array of talent”. That made this a brilliant three points which was built upon by a strong defensive performance.
Among that talent is former Robins fan favourite Phil Johnson. Johnson scored twice for YM when the sides met at Gorings Mead back in October to single handedly win the game for his current club.
He remains a hugely popular figure among the Beacon faithful but he was kept quiet largely due to the excellent work of Ashley Marsh.
The first half was something of a non event as both sides cancelled each other out by and large. Hassocks had the slightly better chances created mainly by the marauding runs of Jack Rowe-Hurst who twice fired over good opportunities.
The second of those was a particularly good one, especially with James Westlake arriving in support. There were questions asked about whether the enigmatic Rowe-Hurst should have slid in Westlake rather than attempt to go himself.
Half time came at the wrong time for Hassocks given that they were on top by that point. YM boss Peter Buckland was typically unimpressed and whatever he said at the break clearly had the desired effect as the visitors forced James Broadbent into two fine saves early in the second half.
The Robins bench responded by throwing on Jack Wilkins for Lewis Westlake and moving James Westlake into a more central position.
Wilkins pace instantly gave YM a different threat to think about but it still remained tight, the general consensus as time ticked by being that one goal would be enough to win it.
And it was Hassocks who got it. The Robins won a corner which Jack Rowe-Hurst controversially decided to take. Westlake was to be on set pieces and Rowe-Hurst’s decision to take matters into his own hands led to kittens being given birth to on the Robins bench.
That rage soon turned to joy however as his ball in was met by a bullet Jordan Badger header which cannoned back off the bar to Benson who showed superb reactions to head the loose ball home and send the home crowd wild.
Rowe-Hurst’s work was done at that point and he was replaced by Michael Death who almost made the points safe, a flowing move through Phil Gault, Westlake and Benson eventually arriving with Death who fired just over with only the goalkeeper to beat.
That miss didn’t matter however as Hassocks saw out the remaining time comfortably to make it four wins from their last five games.
Hassocks: James Broadbent; Luke Akehurst, Tom Barnes, Jordan Badger, Ashley Marsh; James Westlake, Harry Mills, Lewis Westlake, Jack Rowe-Hurst; Phil Gault, Liam Benson.
Subs: Jack Wilkins (L Westlake), Michael Death (Rowe-Hurst), Bradley Tighe, George Galbraith-Gibbons, Ben John (unused).
Starman: James Broadbent.
