ROBINS MAKE IT TWELVE FROM TWELVE WITH GR-EIGHT SUCCESS OVER MILFORD
Hassocks Ladies stretched their unblemished record at the top of South East Counties Women’s League Division One East to a perfect 12 out of 12 with an 8-0 win over Milford & Witley.
The scoreline might suggest this was a comfortable victory for the Robins but nobody at the Beacon thought that would be the case after the visitors made a blistering start to proceedings.
They should have taken the lead as early as the second minute but saw a shot blocked and then a free kick in a dangerous position right on the edge of the box was inches away from dipping under Sarah Chappell’s crossbar.
Hassocks bucked their ideas up after 10 minutes with the result being a goal from what was effectively their first attack.
A strong tackle on Billie Philpott resulted in a corner, the delivery of which was headed towards goal by Claire Stevens with Philpott reacting quickest to nod home. Remarkably given her scoring exploits this season, this was the first ever goal that Philpott has scored with her head.
Just past the quarter of an hour mark and Hassocks doubled their advantage, Kelly Rushworth releasing Philpott whose shot was well saved but unfortunately for the visitors, Philpott reacted quickest and unselfishly squared to Kirsten Mair who slotted home the second.
Hassocks were hitting their stride now and only a string of superb saves from the Milford goalkeeper and the combination of post and crossbar which denied Philpott could prevent the Robins adding to their lead.
Milford came into things again after that but their shooting was wayward and failed to trouble Chappell while at the other end, Philpott went down under a heavy challenge in the box leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the penalty spot.
Rushworth made no mistake from 12 yards to send Hassocks into the interval with a three goal advantage which could have been more, Liz King shooting wide when well placed right on the stroke of half time.
In contrast to their slow start to the first half, Hassocks flew out of the trap for the second and just two minutes after the restart had a fourth, Tallie Bright producing a clever lob after a Philpott pass.
Bright returned the favour by setting up Philpott for the fifth, the goalkeeper doing well to save Bright’s initial effort but Philpott was on hand like all good strikers are to polish off the rebound.
Hassocks introduced Lucy Reeder from the bench for her first appearance since re-joining the club and she was soon into her stride, helping to create a headed chance for Gemma Craig which was well saved.
King nearly produced the moment of the game with a blistering volley from 35 yards which was met by an equally impressive save before an excellent passing move gave Hassocks their sixth, Banna Haines, Philpott and Bright all combining to tee up Mair.
A rare Milford attack was ended by a brave last ditch block from Stevens, after which Hassocks went straight up the other end with Craig releasing substitute Hollie Larmar but her shot was into the side netting.
It was another header from Philpott that gave Hassocks their seventh and completed her hat-trick – headed goals from Philpott are like buses in that you wait ages for one to come along and then two do at once!
Hassocks weren’t finished with that shock either as they still found time to add goal number eight with three minutes remaining, Rushworth striking a sweet free kick straight into the corner which gave the outstanding Milford goalkeeper no chance.
Despite their below par start the game, Hassocks were good value for the win and without the interventions of the visitor’s number one, it could have been a double figure win for the Robins.
The result sets up Hassocks nicely for next weeks League Cup semi final against Premier Division side Saltdean United which kicks off at 1.30pm at the Beacon.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Sam Newman, Claire Stevens, Chloe John, Jodie Johanson, Tallie Bright, Liz King, Kirsten Mair, Gemma Craig, Kelly Rushworth, Billie Philpott.
Subs: Banna Hannes, Hollie Larmer, Lucy Reeder (used).
