Mitchell-Phillips at the double as 10 man Robins get up and running
If you had to predict when Hassocks would get their long-awaited first win of the season on the board, you would probably not have gone for a match they played for over an hour with 10 men against opponents who had lost only once so far.
Talk about getting the monkey off the back in style. Two goals from George Mitchell-Phillips delivered a 2-0 win over Steyning Town as the Robins overcame the dismissal of Luke Marshall to give Brad Sweetman his first win in charge at the seventh attempt.
Hassocks showed multiple sides to their game over the course of 90 enthralling minutes. They started well, dominating the opening stages with some purposeful attacks.
Marshall’s red card then meant having to defend resolutely before both goals arrived through ruthlessly efficient counter attacks led by the relentless Mitchell-Phillips.
At the other end, Charlie Pugh claimed a well-deserved clean sheet. The four points which Hassocks have garnered so far this season have all come with Pugh in the team, highlighting how important the young goalkeeper has become to Hassocks.
His availability has been sporadic so far this season, something which Sweetman has sought to address by bringing Alex Harris back to the club for a fifth spell at the Beacon to strengthen the goalkeeping department.
Pugh took over between the sticks from Christian Kiddell, one of four changes from the Hassocks side who had pushed joint-leaders Peacehaven & Telscombe close in a 3-2 defeat at the Sports Park four days earlier.
Arthur Rawlingson came in for Dan Turner, Joe Bull replaced Lewis Beebee and Jude Wallis was given a full debut in place of Sam Geard.
The fourth change saw Mitchell-Phillips take over from Jay Hudson, a just reward for the 18-year-old striker who had so frightened Peacehaven following his half time introduction on Tuesday night.
It did not take long for Mitchell-Phillips to continue where he had left off, giving the Steyning defence a few early warnings that they were in for a torrid afternoon when doing well to work a couple of half chances, only for his finishing to let him down.
Those misses looked like they might prove costly when Marshall found himself heading for an early bath with just 35 minutes on the clock.
A long diagonal ball over the top left Tom Howard-Bold in a footrace to get there first against the onrushing Pugh, charging out of his area to try and cut out the danger.
Howard-Bold won that particular contest, rounding Pugh only to find himself being pulled back by Marshall, who in fairness had done well to get into a position to be able to make a goal-preventing foul.
There were half-hearted appeals from Hassocks that Andy Whittingham would have made it back to the goal line and that Marshall therefore had not denied a clear goal scoring opportunity, so a yellow would be sufficient punishment.
Referee Daniel Cooper was not standing for any of this balderdash however and he produced the inevitable red, leaving Hassocks to negotiate the next hour of football shorthanded.
Task one was to make it to half time unscathed, something the Robins duly managed. That gave Hassocks the chance to regroup, Sweetman instigating a change in approach as the Robins looked to soak up pressure and use the pace of Mitchell-Phillips on the break.
Steyning started the second half the better side, trying to capitalise on their man advantage. There were a couple of hairy moments for Hassocks negotiate before the Robins took the lead on the hour mark with a blistering counter attacking goal.
The outstanding Josh Short sent Mitchell-Phillips clear with a brilliant ball over the top, leaving the former Lewes forward to produce a composed finish by lobbing over the head of the advancing Steyning goalkeeper.
Going behind forced the Barrowmen into becoming even more attacking in an attempt to wrest something from the tie. This in turn suited Hassocks as it left further space for them to exploit on the counter, which is where goal number two came from on 73 minutes.
Short was again the instigator, playing through young Alfie Loversidge who defied his miniature frame to hold off the attentions of a defender.
Unable to win the ball from Loversidge in a legal manner, said Steyning defender instead resorted to bringing Loversidge down in the box, putting Mr Cooper centre stage to award a penalty. Another correct decision from the man in the middle who was enjoying a decent afternoon.
The pressure of the kick fell onto the shoulders of Mitchell-Phillips and he made no mistake, doubling Hassocks’ advantage with a quarter of an hour left to play.
It was time which the Robins managed to see out surprisingly easily to scenes of long overdue celebration at the final whistle. It has taken a while, but Hassocks are up and running.
Hassocks: Charlie Pugh; Arthur Rawlingson, Luke Marshall, Andy Whittingham; Jack Gardner, Josh Short, Connor Bradley, Alfie Loversidge, Jude Wallis; Joe Bull, George Mitchell-Phillips.
Subs: Jack Baden, Wes Tighe, Louis Thwaites (used), Brad Sweetman, Alex Harris (unused).
