Hot start from Hassocks helps them cut down the Oakmen
In 35 degree sunshine, Hassocks made a start almost as hot as the weather to saunter into a 2-0 lead inside of 12 minutes at AFC Uckfield Town.
And those two goals proved enough to give the Robins their first Southern Combination League win of the season, a 2-1 success achieved despite the difficult conditions at the Oaks.
Hassocks and Uckfield are both under new management for the current campaign. James Westlake and his opposite number Jonny Elwood have set their stalls out early into the reigns as wanting their sides to play passing football.
On a day like this, conserving energy by letting the ball do the work becomes doubly important. That was nigh-on impossible playing on a pitch suffering badly from the lack of rain.
It was dusty, bumpy and made controlling the football challenging. The game therefore became one decided by who adapted best to the conditions.
That turned out to be the Robins thanks to a willingness to be attritional, make the most of set pieces and clinically take the chances that came their way.
With tiredness and fatigue a guaranteed factor by the end thanks to the heat, Hassocks came flying out the traps.
The Robins’ intention was clearly to try and catch Uckfield cold – or as cold as one can be when temperatures in Sussex are hotter than Greece – and secure an early lead, leaving their hosts with the difficult task of chasing the game as energy levels became seriously depleted.
It was a game plan that worked to a tee. Just five minutes had elapsed when Harvey Blake and Tom Frankland combined down the right flank to earn Hassocks a corner.
Lewis Westlake sent over a pinpoint delivery into the penalty area, met by a downwards header from Mark Zydonik.
The ball crashed into the rock hard ground, bounced back up, hit the bottom of the cross bar and diverted downwards again to give former Broadbridge Heath defender Zydonik his first goal in Hassocks colours.
Things got even better for the Robins seven minutes later when Liam Benson showed real intelligence to double the advantage.
A defence splitting pass put Benson through. Rather than run towards the Uckfield goal and put his faith in the bobbly surface not conspiring to take the ball away from him, Benson cleverly took a shot on early.
Although former Hassocks number one James Broaadbent did well to get a hand onto the surprise effort, Benson’s strike had too much precision and power for the Oakmen captain to keep out of the bottom right corner of his goal.
The Robins were cruising but perhaps it had all been a little too easy. That would explain why they took their foot off the pedal and allowed Uckfield back into the game.
A nice passing move down the right resulted in a cross into the Hassocks box. Home midfielder James Pass produced an accomplished finish, making it very much game on after an action packed opening 25 minutes.
Things quietened down after that with neither side making many inroads until Benson had another opportunity just before half time.
The lively Jack Troak produced some of his trademark enterprising wing play, eventually crossing into the path of Benson. A solid stop was required from Broadbent to ensure the Robins led by only one going into the break.
Hassocks knew that Uckfield would throw the kitchen sink at them in the second half. It was back to the walls stuff for the most part.
To not concede despite being under so much pressure would have been a real positive for Westlake, and a sign of the progress the Robins are making after shipping 10 goals in their opening two matches.
Uckfield had two opportunities to take something from the tie. There was a defensive mix up which the Robins were fortunate their hosts could not capitalise on.
Then with five minutes remaining, Hassocks had an eagle eyed assistant referee to thank for ruling out an Oakmen equaliser.
Tyler Pearson’s cross from the right was met by a bullet header from George Cook. The flag was up though, decreeing that the ball had gone out of play for a goal kick before Pearson managed to deliver into the area.
That moment seemed to deflate Uckfield and things fizzled out in the closing stages, leaving Hassocks to reflect on an impressive win on the road against opponents suffering their first Premier Division defeat of the campaign.
Hassocks: Alex Harris; Harvey Blake, Alex Bygraves, Mark Zydonik, Sam Cash; Lewis Westlake, James Westlake; Tom Frankland, Joe Bull, Jack Troak; Liam Benson.
Subs: Leon Turner (Frankland 70).
Bedlam Brewery Starman: Joe Bull.
