TYE TAKE POINTS THANKS TO SOFT SPOT KICK
Their mini winning run may have come to an end at Peacehaven & Telscombe, but Hassocks gave the title chasing Tye a real fright before succumbing to a 3-2 defeat.
An entertaining clash was decided by a moment of controversy as Peacehaven were awarded a penalty for handball against Josh Tuck on 75 minutes, a decision which Phil Wickwar derided as “shocking” afterwards.
Wickwar is normally phlegmatic when it comes to discussing refereeing decisions in the aftermath of a game, so you know it must have been a poor one from Anthony Andrews to rile the Robins joint boss up so much.
Indeed, Mr Andrews seemed to be the only person in the ground who saw a deliberate handball in the box, which was the tip of the iceberg in terms of a number of strange calls he made all evening.
Peacehaven were only too happy to accept the invitation to score their third, the impressive Cam Wiltshere sending Alex Harris the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.
The hosts came into the game joint top with Haywards Heath Town, having surrendered just seven points all season but Hassocks were more than deserving of a point of their own after a dogged defensive showing that frustrated their high flying opponents.
Peacehaven had more of the ball without ever testing Harris in the first 15 minutes and it was Hassocks who grew into the tie as the half wore on.
They took the lead with 28 minutes played, Liam Benson heading home a corner for his seventh of the season, leaving the young Robins striker just three goals shy of his entire total for the previous campaign already.
The Peacehaven response was instant and Harris saved well from Curtis Wood while home defender Filipe Lira dragged wide when he should have done better.
That pressure finally told when Frazer Massen equalised with a low shot with the outside of his boot that left Harris unsighted.
Hassocks have scored inside the opening five minutes of either the first or second half in their last four games and they did it again here.
Michael Death put them back ahead on 48 minutes with a goal of the highest quality, an improvised left footed volley on the swivel that resulted in him scooping the ball over Peacehaven goalkeeper Erikson Aga, drawing applause from all corners of the Sports Park in the process.
It was Ford who levelled things up again on the hour mark, stabbing home from close range after a 70 yard diagonal switch from Conor Wilkins before the Tye were handed that softest of opportunities to take the lead for the first time in the game with 75 minutes played.
That knocked the wind out of Hassocks’ sails somewhat although they did have a glorious chance to equalise when James Westlake and Adam Dawson worked to release substitute Phil Gault but his cross was put just the wrong side of the post by Benson.
There was still time after that for Mr Andrews to infuriate Hassocks further as he showed Harry Mills a red card although this was a far less questionable decision than the penalty.
The Robins felt that Mills’ tackle was mistimed rather than malicious but there was little doubt that it involved what in wrestling terms would have been described as an aerial drop kick on Josh Marshall.
Going down to 10 men effectively ended Hassocks’ chances of getting something from the game and Wickwar said it was a disappointed away changing room afterwards who were left wondering what might have been.
“The lads feel gutted and perhaps rightly so. But to be gutted about losing to one of the best sides in the league in the circumstances we did shows how far we have come in recent weeks. We can still improve on the ball but we’re getting there.”
Hassocks: Alex Harris; Josh Tuck, Will Broomfield, Jordan Badger; Adam Dawson, James Westlake, Lewis Westlake, Spencer Slaughter, Bradley Bant; Michael Death, Liam Benson.
Subs: Phil Gault, Charlie Pitcher, Harry Mills (used), Mark Price, Nathan Stroomberg (unused).
Starman: Michael Death.
