UNITED PUSH HASSOCKS DEEPER INTO THE MIRE
Another wretched afternoon means that the trap door to Division One is fast opening beneath the feet of Hassocks as they became the first team to lose to Eastbourne United Association since the final throes of the cricket season.
Seventeen league games and nearly five months had passed since United last tasted victory in the league way back in September, but they ended that barren spell with a 2-1 success at the Beacon through first half goals from Jamie Fielding and Tyler O’Callaghan.
Michael Death gave Hassocks a lifeline with his seventh goal of the season 15 minutes from time but that proved to be too little, too late as the Robins own winless streak was extended to a club record in senior football of 11 matches.
The fixture list has played its part in that sequence. Hassocks’ last three games have come against title challengers Haywards Heath Town, Saltdean United and Chichester City while injuries and suspensions have also been an issue.
None of those excuses washed here though. With the exceptions of the crocked Charlie Pitcher, the suspended Ashley Marsh and James Westlake who is approaching the time of the year when his marathon running exploits kick in, Hassocks named the strongest side they possibly could based on the players still available to them against opponents who arrived sitting just one place above them in the relegation zone.
Goalkeeper Nathan Stroomberg was available again after a three game ban while there were also welcome returns for Jordan Badger and Matt Berridge.
Under 18s striker George Galbraith-Gibbons was recalled at the expense of Will Broomfield as Mark Dalgleish and Phil Wickwar selected a far more attacking line up than that which had battled valiantly for over an hour with 10 men against Chi last time out, a game in which the 4-0 defeat didn’t really reflect the performance.
There were obvious questions about rustiness given that Chi game a fortnight ago was the Robins’ only competitive action since the turn of the year thanks to the weather – but if the players were putting in the work on the training ground then that really shouldn’t be an issue. United themselves had played only twice in 2018, after all.
The real issue seems to be that the fighting spirit and commitment that characterised Hassock’s last three escapes from relegation has gone.
The feeling is that this is a squad of players that, with a few exceptions, care less about the club than those in years gone by.
There may also be something of a “we’re too good to go down” mentality, that treats the precariousness of their current situation with contempt.
That sense of apathy towards where the club is heading is translating to the stands as, despite there being only three other games on in the Premier Division, the Beacon suffered its second lowest crowd in five years.
Those who did turn up saw United make the better start to the encounter, taking the lead inside of 15 minutes through Fielding. O’Callaghan doubled the advantage for Tobi Hutchinson’s side with nine minutes of the first half remaining.
Hassocks chucked on Broomfield and 17-year-old striker Jake Lindsey in the hope of salvaging something from the game and Death pulled one back in the 75th minute to move level at the top of the clubs scoring charts with seven – the same number as Liam Benson who departed for Lancing two months ago, which highlights lack of goals as another of the Robins problems.
Death’s strike at least gave Hassocks hope. But hope has been a forlorn commodity for the Robins this season and United held on to give their survival hopes a real boost.
Hassocks meanwhile are left to wonder how and where their next win could come from, especially with a daunting trip to face bogie side Three Bridges next week.
Hassocks: Nathan Stroomberg; Adam Dawson, Josh Tuck, Spencer Slaughter, Jordan Badger; Bradley Bant, Harry Mills, Lewis Westlake, Matt Berridge; George Galbraith-Gibbons, Michael Death.
Subs: Will Broomfield, Jake Lindsey (used).
