CHAPPELL STRIKES LATE TO GIVE ROBINS MUCH-NEEDED WIN
There was a very unusual look to Hassocks Ladies’ line up for the trip to Eastbourne United but the changes paid dividends as the Robins came away a big three points and a clean sheet to boot.
Katherine Chappell scored the only goal of the game with just two minutes remaining, giving Hassocks their second league win of September and a huge boost to their hopes of avoiding an immediate return to Division One at the end of the season.
Manager Martin Lee named a completely new back three for the trip to the Oval with Emma Flin, Claire Stevens and Emily Brocklehurst making up the defence.
Regular defender Chloe John made a surprise return up front alongside Katherine Chappell; only a week ago, it looked like John was set for a lengthy spell on the side lines with a knee injury but here she was back in the side and in a new position to boot.
United started the game well and Sarah Chappell in the Hassocks goal was called in action as early as the third minute to make a sprawling save in a goalmouth scramble.
Up the other end and Liz King had shot well saved after a neat Tallie Bright pass and those two players linked up well again with King’s effort earning a corner which came to nothing.
Chances were few and far between after that entertaining start as both teams struggle to play on a pitch that was becoming increasingly boggy through the middle.
Hassocks’ central trio of Gemma Craig, Jess Craig and Kirsten Mair in particular were finding it hard going, but they did on occasions manage to fashion something for the Robins’ more attacking players.
One such instance presented Katherine Chappell with the chance to win a corner and from Mair’s delivery, a melee erupted in the box but nobody in a Hassocks shirt could turn the loose ball home.
Stevens had to head away a dangerous looking United free kick and Brocklehurst made an important clearance before John did well to make it to the by-line but her cross was gathered by the home goalkeeper.
The final five minutes of the half were action packed; King had a shot well saved, Stevens then had to make a crunching last gasp tackle to prevent a goal and Sarah Chappell pulled off another fine stop.
At some point in amongst all that, Jodie Johanson replaced John who hadn’t stopped running despite her strapped up knee.
Johanson’s first chance to make an impression arrived early in the second half when she battled to win a corner but it was United who were dominant after the break as Brocklehurst and Gemma Craig both had to make superb blocks. Brocklehurst paid for her bravery with an injury which forced her off with Ria Banitas coming on.
Lee reintroduced John with 15 minutes remaining in an attempt to try and win the game and she immediately began causing problems up top with more willing running to put the United defence under pressure.
Sarah Chappell had to make another crucial save and Jess Craig did just enough to prevent a United cross making it into the box.
Both sides were really going for it as the game entered the final 10 minutes as John caused yet another goalmouth scramble and Stevens had to cover across to prevent a United breakaway ending in tears.
Just as it looked like the game was about to end goalless, John won possession back for Hassocks through sheer determination before splitting the defence with a through ball to Katherine Chappell.
Chappell had plenty of time to think about what to do but she managed to keep a cool head, slotting the ball past the United goalkeeper to give Hassocks an 88th minute lead.
They had to overcome one late scare to hold onto the three points when United were awarded a free kick in a promising position, but the Robins’ wall did its job to block the shot and a much-needed win was in the bag.
The game will hardly go down as a classic due to the difficult conditions but both sides gave it their best shot to entertain with Hassocks doing just about enough to win it in the end.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Emily Brocklehurst, Claire Stevens, Emma Flin, Tallie Bright, Kirsten Mair, Liz King, Jess Craig, Gemma Craig, Chloe John, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Ria Banitas, Jodie Johanson (used), Sam Newman, Ellie Moquet (unused).
