ROBINS LOVE AFFAIR WITH LEAGUE CUP CONTINUES
Hassocks Ladies have enjoyed themselves in the South East Counties Women’s League Cup over the past few seasons and they kicked off what they hope will be another memorable run in the competition with a 2-1 win over Sittingbourne.
The Robins won this trophy in the 2017-18 season despite being relegated from the Premier Division. A year later and they reached the semi finals, knocking out two top flight clubs along the way before eventual winners Saltdean United proved to be too good.
The draw for the second round had been relatively kind with the visitors playing a division below Hassocks, although the Robins came into the game without much match practice under their belts having not played for three weeks
That showed a little as Martin Lee’s side were made to work hard for their place in the quarter finals where they will now travel to Phoenix Sports in January.
It was Sittingbourne who started the tie the brighter, forcing both Hassocks skipper Sam Newman and Chloe John into early interceptions inside the opening five minutes.
Kirsten Mair charged down a clearance at the other end before collecting the loose ball and crossing to Bethany Purse who was inches away from converting and then Jodie Johanson cracked an effort against the angle of the post and the bar after being played in by Liz King.
With a lack of striking options available, Lee had been forced to use Tallie Bright as an emergency striker. She was beginning to take to her new role with relish, demonstrating considerable strength to win the ball back and tee up Katherine Chappell who fired just over.
Hassocks’ problems up front deepened midway through the first half when Bethany Purse succumbed to illness having decided to start the game despite being very unwell.
Her place was taken by Rose Jump with the disruption upsetting the Robins a little, allowing Sittingbourne to test Sarah Chappell with a distance effort. The Hassocks keeper did well to keep it out.
Things meandered towards half time from that point on, a couple of half chances falling to Gemma Craig whose effort was pushed over the bar and King who whistled one over the bar.
Neither keeper had been seriously tested by the time that the interval arrived however, leaving those watching to hope for a little more entertainment in the second half.
Those wishes were answered within seven minutes of the restart as Hassocks took the lead. Purse had been reintroduced at the break in place of the tireless Bright and her low cross was neatly converted by Jump to give Hassocks the lead.
Eight minutes later and the Robins doubled their advantage. Sittingbourne had no answer to a tricky run from Johanson other than to bring her down in the box with Katherine Chappell smashing the resulting spot kick high into the top right hand corner.
Hassocks were well in control at that point and it looked as though it would be a case of how many more could they rack up against their lower division opponents.
Sittingbourne however had other ideas and within three minutes of Katherine Chappell’s penalty they hauled themselves back into the game through a fine counter attacking move rounded off by substitute Jade Pennell.
That led to a more even 25 minutes as the visitors sensed the chance of an equaliser. Brave defending again from John and Newman kept them out and then Sarah Chappell pulled off a stunning reaction stop, somehow clawing a deflected cross out of the top corner of the goal.
Hassocks’ task of seeing out the game was made a little harder when Newman limped off for the final 15 minutes after one too many blows to her ankle, her place being taken by Ria Banitas who equipped herself well as the visitors poured forward in an attempt for force extra time.
Katherine Chappell made another solid save moments later before Katherine Chappell sent a rising volley just over the bar. There was one final scare for Hassocks in the final minute, John showing excellent pace to thwart what could have been another devastating breakaway from the visitors.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Chloe John, Claire Stevens, Sam Newman, Jodie Johanson, Kirsten Mair, Gemma Craig, Liz King, Katherine Chappell, Tallie Bright, Bethany Purse.
Subs: Ria Banitas, Rose Jump (used), Holly Webb (unused).
