MAGNIFICENT SEVEN AS ROBINS RACK UP ANOTHER WIN
For the second week in a row, Hassocks Ladies faced opponents with only nine players and for the second week in a row they put in a professional performance to pick up a comfortable victory.
Last week it was Cray Valley who the Robins swept aside 5-0. This time around, Wandgas were defeated 7-0 at the Beacon as Hassocks maintained their 100% record at the start of the South East Counties Women’s League Division One West season.
The Robins flew out of the traps and had two brilliant opportunities to take the lead inside of the first five minutes.
Billie Philpott, fresh from making her Sussex derby in the county’s 7-0 win over Kent in midweek, saw a shot blocked and then strike partner Kelly Rushworth was only denied by a stunning save from the Wandgas keeper.
The hosts wouldn’t be denied for long and it was midfielder Gemma Craig who gave them the lead with nine minutes played, collecting a Katerine Chappell home and firing home for 1-0.
Unfortunately, that was Craig’s last action of the game as she limped off in the 14th minute with Lisa Callow entering the fray.
Hassocks didn’t let that disruption affect them and Philpott saw two further efforts saved, Chappell had a shot blocked and Rushworth fired just wide when she was placed.
The Wandgas keeper then denied Rushworth and Chappell with two more good saves before the visitors resistance was finally broken for the second time, Rushworth collecting a pass from Philpott and cutting inside to find the back of the net.
With little to do in the way of defending, Sam Newman, Chloe John and Emma Young tried to join the attack as much as possible while Jodie Johannson looked a real threat down the right.
It was Callow who made it 3-0 five minutes before half time with a stunning strike from distance that flew into the top corner in what proved to be the final goalmouth action of the half although Young did hit a whistling volley wide from distance.
With the game all but sewn up, John was taken off to protect an injury she has been playing through in recent weeks with Claire Stevens taking her place and Stevens’ first job was to watch her side go 4-0 ahead, Kirsten Mair winning possession and crossing for Chappell who had the simple task of tapping home.
Hassocks continued to dominate after that but had to wait until the 85th to add their fifth of the game, Newman sliding in Philpott who made no mistake with the opportunity.
That sparked a goal rush in the final five minutes as the Robins added two more. Firstly, Callow’s shot took a deflection to completely wrong foot the Wandgas goalkeeper for number six and then a typically mazy run from Chappell set up Philpott for her second and Hassocks’ seventh.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Emma Young, Sam Newman, Liz King, Gemma Crag, Chloe John, Jodie Johansson, Katherine Chappell, Billie Philpott, Kelly Rushworth, Kirsten Mair.
Subs: Claire Stevens, Hollie Larmar, Lisa Callow (used), Tallie Bright (unused).
