BATTLING ROBINS RUIN ROOKS 100 PERCENT RECORD
A battling performance from Hassocks Ladies saw them become the first side to take a point off the South East Counties Women’s Premier League’s leaders Lewes Foundation.
The Robins had shocked their hosts at the Rookery to storm into a 2-0 lead inside of 13th minutes thanks to goals from Katherine Chappell and Kelly Rushworth.
Although Lewes pulled one back in the first half, it looked like Hassocks were going to battle to a famous win right up until the 97th minute when the Rooks snatched an equaliser with the last kick of the game.
Heart-breaking as that may have been for the visitors, there were still plenty of positive for Martin Lee and his side to take against the development squad of a club who play in the second tier of the women’s football pyramid.
Lewes showed why they are one of the favourites for the title as they flew out the traps at the start of the game. Jess and Gemma Craig both had to win vital defensive headers followed by Lewes missing a great opportunity, all inside of the opening five minutes.
Sarah Chappell had to be alert to cut out a couple of crosses as it was one-way traffic towards the Hassocks goal which pointed to the prospect of a long afternoon ahead.
And then, completely against the run of play, Hassocks took the lead. It came in the eighth minute after the Robins got the ball down and played a bit of football for the first time, Jess Craig and Bethany Purse linking up to find Katherine Chappell who fired home.
Lewes responded well with Hassocks’ centre back pairing of Claire Stevens and Emma Flin both putting their bodies on the line to keep the Rooks out.
Hassocks were beginning to look a threat on the counter and they soon shocked Lewes further by doubling their advantage on the 15 minute mark.
Purse was again involved as she sent Rushworth clear who calmly lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to put the Robins 2-0 ahead.
Lewes looked a little rattled at this point and they began to try and force the issue as shots from distance were either off target or blocked, Stevens in particular proving to be a frustrating presence to the hosts.
The Rooks did eventually manage to pull one back once they’d settled down a bit, Megan Cranford providing a neat finish for 2-1.
Hassocks were dealt a further blow shortly after conceding when Katherine Chappell limped off to be replaced by Tallie Bright as Lewes began to ramp up the pressure.
Chloe John was being given a testing time by a pacy winger but was frequently winning the ball back while Sarah Chappell made three extraordinary saves in the space of two minutes just before half time, the best of which saw her deny Lewes a certain goal from point blank range.
Hassocks’ injury problems deepened when Newman had to be replaced by Ria Banitas, despite which the visitors did actually manage to create the final chance of the half as Purse’s header from a Kirsten Mair free kick was scrambled off the line.
Lee made a further change at the break as the experienced Liz King entered the action. Given how youthful and fit their opponents were, the Robins knew they’d come under severe pressure in the second 45.
But they set about the task of protecting their lead with renewed vigour, none more so than the strikers Purse and Rushworth whose work rate allowed Hassocks to defend from the front.
Banitas’ pace proved to a real asset when it came to covering each time Lewes broke through and Stevens continued to throw herself in the way of what felt like every goal bound effort.
Just past the hour mark and Chappell made another fine save when pushing a free kick onto the bar. Chappell was again called into action 15 minutes later with yet another point blank save, injuring herself in the process.
She wasn’t the only one. The effort that Hassocks were having to put in to keep out their opponents was beginning to toll all over the pitch; substitute Jodie Johanson picking up a knock shortly after coming on while Stevens had to be treated for cramp.
In the final 10 minutes, it was a case of all hands on deck as Lewes poured forward in search of the goal that would prevent them losing for the first time this season and Hassocks sought to keep them out.
The Robins weren’t quite able to get there. In the seventh minute of time added on, a free kick evaded everyone to end up in the very top corner of Chappell’s go with the very last play of the game.
It wasn’t to be on this day for Hassocks, but they can take heart from this performance going forward – not many teams will take points from Lewes this season.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Chloe John, Emma Flin, Claire Stevens, Sam Newman, Katherine Chappell, Jess Craig, Gemma Craig, Kirsten Mair, Kelly Rushworth, Bethany Purse.
Subs: Ria Banitas, Rose Jump, Jodie Johanson, Tallie Bright, Liz King (used).
