STRONG SECOND HALF NOT ENOUGH AS HASSOCKS BOW OUT OF CUP
A strong second half from Hassocks proved insufficient to keep them in the Peter Bentley League Cup as they were knocked out by an energetic and clinical Lingfield side in the third round.
Having conceded two highly avoidable first half goals from Thomas Stead and Joel Alexander, the Robins were left needing to overturn a two-goal deficit for the second time in as many games in this competition.
Bexhill United took a 2-0 lead at the Beacon in the last round before letting three goals past in 18 second half minutes and losing the tie.
This should’ve given Hassocks fans confidence in their team, however it was Lingfield fans licking their lips at the thought of avenging the 5-1 defeat their team suffered at the hands of Hassocks in 2015 which looked more likely than a Robins fightback at halftime.
It was clear Lingfield would not get five after two penalty shouts were dismissed although Lingfield did secure the victory with 15 minutes left through substitute Chris Ransome who made it three, once again an avoidable one from a Hassocks perspective.
Lingfield started quickly and had Hassocks penned in their own half for much of the opening stages with the Robins having only one noteworthy chance, an edge-of-the-box shot from James Littlejohn that was deflected narrowly wide.
Lingers striker Alexander could have had two in the first 15 minutes but he was unable to convert low crosses from Stead in the 10th minute and from Samuel Clements in the 15th, putting both chances wide from close range.
It took Lingfield 19 minutes to take the lead. Stead fired the ball just above stand in goalkeeper Phil Wickwar in who got two hands on the ball but spilled it into the back of the net.
Wickwar was once again at fault for the Linger’s second goal as he raced out for a bouncing ball that Robins defender Will Broomfield had let bounce following a Lingfield clearance.
The two players collided with each other leaving striker Alexander to run clean through and score what arguably should’ve been his third of the game.
Hassocks created few chances towards the end of the first half with their best only opportunity coming from Phil Johnson who hit the post from 18 yards just after Lingfield’s second goal.
Whatever Mark Dalgliesh said to his men during the interval seemed to do the trick as the team came out for the second 45 looking revitalised and ready to go.
This time it was Lingfield under the cosh as Johnson came close multiple times, first after a poor goal kick from Moore fell to striker however a fantastic save with his feet spared the Lingfield goalkeeper’s blushes.
Johnson’s next good chance came when he attempted to chip the onrushing Moore from 18 yards but was unlucky to see his effort go just wide of the post.
Lingfield were not completely down and out however, a couple of penalty shouts could’ve had the Robins looking at a much heavier defeat.
The first was a weak appeal for a shirt pull which would’ve been soft, the second came after Ransome, who had replaced Jake Horn at the hour mark, appeared to have his feet taken out from under him when Hassocks attempted to clear the ball.
Neither was given leaving the Lingers players and bench feeling rather uncharitable towards referee Mr Daniel D’urso.
The victory was secured by Ransome in the 74th minute. Two Robins defenders attempted to clear Stephen Hodge’s low cross, but neither could make a meaningful interception and Ransome tapped home from six yards.
The result means Lingfield will play the winner of Arundel Vs Horsham YMCA who meet in the cup on Tuesday the 16th October.
Hassocks: Phil Wickwar; Joe Russell, Will Broomfield, Dan Jacques, Harvey Blake; Harvey Enticknap, Dan Stokes, Matt Berridge; James Littlejohn, Liam Benson, Phil Johnson.
Subs: Jake Lindsey, Joe Bull, George Galbraith-Gibbons (used).
Starman: Harvey Blake.
