BATTLING ROBINS PUSH TIGERS CLOSE
For the second time in the space of less than 48 August Bank Holiday hours, Hassocks were on the end of a 1-0 defeat against one of the Southern Combination League Premier Division’s new boys.
They did give a much improved account of themselves against Saltdean United on Monday than they managed at East Preston on Saturday but it still wasn’t enough to avoid a third consecutive defeat by a single goal. The Robins haven’t scored in any of those either.
While EP may be a young team short on top flight experience after winning promotion by finishing third last season, last season’s Division One champions United are a much tougher proposition having significantly strengthened over the summer ahead of their first campaign at this level in 16 years, signing a number of players with Isthmian League experience.
On this showing you’d expect them to be challenging towards the top of the table given that it was Hassocks goalkeeper Nathan Stroomberg who looked the best player on the pitch with a string of first rate saves which helped keep his side in the game.
Things were slow to spark into life at the Beacon and indeed the first 15 minutes were largely spent admiring what a beautiful day it was.
The first real opportunity arrived with 25 minutes played when Charlie Pitcher was denied by a brilliant save from Rikki Banks at full stretch after he’d been released by a bone crunching tackle from Spencer Slaughter.
Harry Mills was caught dithering at the other end but he was saved by the covering Jordan Badger and from the resulting corner, Matthew Flemming produced a quite brilliant handball that would’ve made Diego Maradona blush.
Flemming received a booking for this troubles as well as the appreciation of the Beacon crowd for the complete lack of effort that went into trying to disguise the illegality of the move.
Saltdean sparked into life after that and Stroomberg’s busy morning began with a sublime one-on-one stop as he rushed out to close down the angle.
The young Robins goalkeeper then pulled off an instinctive save from point blank range with Saltdean managing to defy all the known laws of physics by cannoning the rebound onto the bar from three yards.
Stroomberg repeated that save a couple of minutes later, flinging an arm into the air to keep out another free header from a free kick from a matter of yards.
Saltdean had the first effort of the second half as well when they struck the upright, after which a Lewis Westlake free kick was only half cleared allowing Nathan Miles to win possession back, twist and turn his way into the box and hit a low shot that in the end was comfortable for Banks.
Ashley Rees scuffed just wide of the post for Saltdean and Miles had another half chance after a Liam Benson header down but again he failed to seriously test Banks.
There was a long delay in proceedings when Jordan Badger was involved in a sickening clash of heads that left the centre back having to be assisted from the pitch.
Saltdean did in fact get the ball in the back of the net from that move but referee Charles Bowen had quite rightly halted play as soon as Badger had crumpled to the deck, with neither side having any complains about the decision.
Young Matt Berridge replaced him with the good news being that Badger was reported to be fine afterwards, if a little dazed.
If Mr Bowen got that right then there was controversy shortly after when Pitcher looked to be on his way towards goal, only to be hauled back by Ashley Jones with a move that wouldn’t have looked out of place at a UFC event. Remarkably, Jones wasn’t even booked for his trouble.
That raised the decibel levels among the home support, as did Harry Mills heading just wide from a set piece and Pitcher seeing an effort deflected behind.
Saltdean’s winner came with 10 minutes remaining, a delightful ball over the top being met on the volley by Rees.
The initial effort was blocked by Mills but Rees made no mistake with the follow up, slamming it past Stroomberg who was finally beaten.
Stroomberg again proved his worth with another wonderful save and Hassocks had their final chance with the last kick of the game but Lewis Westlake’s free kick was slightly over hit with Under 18s debutant Kieran Rowe unable to get his header on target as a result.
Hassocks: Nathan Stroomberg; Luke Akehurst, Harry Mills, Jordan Badger; Liam Benson, Spencer Slaughter, Phil Gault, Lewis Westlake, Bradley Bant; Nathan Miles, Charlie Pitcher.
Subs: Kieran Rowe (Miles), Matt Berridge (Badger), Dan Stokes (Benson), Maskell, J Westlake (unused).
Starman: Nathan Stroomberg
