Robins lack cutting edge to hurt Magpies in battle of the birds
It was a game Hassocks could not afford to lose and in that regard, they could be satisfied with their afternoon at a sun kissed Beacon where they drew 0-0 with Loxwood.
There was however a sense of what might have been. The Robins were the dominant side but lacked the cutting edge to make the most of their opportunities and secure a victory which would have moved them six points clear of their visitors, who sit one place below them in the Premier Division.
This had looked like a pivotal day in the relegation battle. As well as Hassocks hosting Loxwood, second-bottom AFC Varndeanians had been due to welcome 20th placed East Preston to Withdean Stadium.
That game was postponed however due to pitch damage caused by Storm Eunice the previous weekend. Improving Varndeanians now have two games in hand on Hassocks and Loxwood, whilst they remain 11 points off the Robins.
A fascinating final two months of the campaign lies in store and there are sure to be many more twists and turns to come – including when EP visit Mid Sussex in two weeks time in what looks like being one of the most important matches of the season.
Hassocks and Loxwood are familiar foes, not least because a number of Brad Sweetman’s squad have plied their trade at Plaistow Road within the past year.
Both James and Lewis Westlake started the campaign with Loxwood and Hassocks introduced three more former Magpies from the bench in Charlie Broad, Alfie Edmeads and Sam Smith.
Many in the crowd would have been hoping that this might provide added spice beyond the six pointer element.
A placid opening in which neither team managed a shot soon dissuaded that notion as most of the action was crammed into a 25 minute period either side of the break.
When the first chance did arrive midway through the first half, it came via great work by Bradley Bant. Bant has been thriving in a more advanced role since his return from injury and he worked some space, cracking an effort towards goal.
It had Loxwood number one Fraser Trigwell beaten but not Tom Cousins’ covering on the line, who made an unreal block.
Hassocks pushed on and James Westlake was the second Robins player to go close, popping up in a decent position and hitting a round house volley just over the bar from 30 yards out on the half hour mark.
Josh Short fired very high and very wide before the Robins passed up two further opportunities in one passage of play five minutes prior to the interval.
Lewis Westlake sent a dangerous looking free kick into the Loxwood penalty area from just inside the visitor’s half.
Dan Turner and Arthur Rawlingson both went for the same header, looping it back to Jack Troak to hit a low volley. Again, the unrelenting Cousins was on hand to make the block.
Hassocks were given a second bite of the cherry when the loose ball fell to the well-placed Alfie Loversidge, only for the teenager to drag his effort wide of the post from a tight angle.
Loxwood worked Alex Harris for the one and only time on the stroke of half time, the Hassocks goalkeeper using his first meaningful touch of the afternoon to make a good save from Scott Faber.
Two minutes after the break and Hassocks had their best opportunity of the game. Rawlingson went on a charge forward from right back to deliver a cross which James Westlake met with a left footed effort brilliantly tipped around the post by Trigwell.
A lull in proceedings followed, Hassocks having to wait until the 70th minute to get another sight of the Loxwood goal when the lively Bant fired wide from 23 yards.
Brad Sweetman rang the changes in an attempt to break the deadlock going into the final quarter of an hour, Broad replacing the unusually quiet Loversidge and Edmeads receiving his home debut when taking over from Troak.
By now though, things were petering out. Hassocks managed one final chance in the last minute when Bradley Tighe met a Lewis Westlake delivery but it did not really come as a surprise when Trigwell made another solid stop.
Hassocks: Alex Harris; Arthur Rawlingson, Dan Turner, Bradley Tighe, Jack Baden; Bradley Bant, James Westlake, Lewis Westlake, Jack Troak; Josh Short, Alfie Loversidge.
Subs: Charlie Broad (Loversidge), Alfie Edmeads (Troak) Sam Smith (Baden), Jack Smith, Phil Wickwar (unused)
