ROBINS BOUNCE BACK BY STINGING CRAWLEY WASPS
After last week’s 10-0 defeat at home to London & South East Regional Division One South title favourites Worthing, Hassocks Ladies bounced back in the best way possible by picking up their first three points of the season at Crawley Wasps.
The Robins ran out deserved 2-0 winners thanks to first half goals from Mia Pordage – her first for the club – and Jess Craig. There was not much to report from the opening exchanges of the game, partly because the report writer had to deal with a water leak at home and so missed the first 20 minutes.
In that time, Hassocks goalkeeper Sarah Chappell was on the end of a tough challenge and needed some lengthy treatment. Chappell thankfully was able to carry on, unlike Emma Flin who had to be substituted following the reoccurrence of an injury picked up in training. Her place was taken by Sam Newman.
Despite these setbacks, Hassocks took the lead with 22 minutes on the clock – just as your report writer arrived, as luck would have it. The goal came from a well taken header by Pordage, a fine way for the summer signing to open her account for the Robins.
Wasps responded by creating three chances in quick succession, forcing Tallie Bright into a timely intervention and Chappell then had to be alert to save another effort before a header from a corner went just wide.
It was a well worked set piece routine which enabled Hassocks to double their advantage nine minutes before half time. An expertly taken corner from Kirsten Mair made its way to the far post where Jess Craig was on hand to side foot home.
The final nine minutes of the half following Craig’s goal were action packed. Stevens had to produce a last ditch tackle to end a Wasps attack; Chappell did well to parry a shot which bounced wickedly in front of her and then Stevens headed clear to avert another dangerous situation. Up the other end and an inch perfect pass from Katherine Chappell released Bright who struck a post.
The end-to-end action continued into the second half. Stevens, Jo Brown and Liz King thwarted several Wasps attacks with Pordage then going close to adding a third for Hassocks when she fired over from a Chappell cross.
Bright was replaced by Jodie Johanson after a tireless shift on the right as Hassocks looked to inject some fresh legs to prevent Wasps getting on top. King was required to make another saving tackle and then headed the subsequent corner clear when it looked like it would be turned in at the back post and Chappell did superbly to turn away a powerful shot which took a deflection.
The Robins made another sub as Katie Read replaced Pordage up front and although that gave Wasps something else to think about, it was the hosts who continued to pour forward in search of a way back into the tie. Newman defended well again and Johanson put her body on the line to make a brave challenge which resulted in her being flattened.
A rare Hassocks attack saw Jess Craig turn and release Mair but nobody could get on the end of her cross. Wasps’ attempts to get back into the game became ever more desperate in the final 10 minutes but Hassocks held firm with Brown and Johanson putting in some firm challenges and Newman doing brilliantly to thwart a two-on-one break.
The final whistle was greeted with jubilation among the Hassocks players as the victory was a vast improvement on the previous week and provides a good base to build on for the rest of the season.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Claire Stevens, Emma Flin, Jo Brown, Tallie Bright, Kirsten Mair, Liz King, Gemma Craig, Katherine Chappell, Jess Craig, Mia Pordage.
Subs: Jodie Johanson, Sam Newman, Katie Read, Holly Webb (used), Kelly Rushworth (unused).
