Four goals in an hour ends goal drought and makes for a fun stay at the YMCA
Before Hassocks arrived at the Herbert Direct Stadium, Horsham YMCA had seven clean sheets from 10 games in all competitions to their name. They were yet to concede a home goal in the Southern Combination League.
The Robins in contrast had gone more than 270 minutes without scoring, a run stretching back almost a month to August Bank Holiday Monday. Three defeats in a row had been the result of this famine in front of goal.
Seasoned Hassocks observers would not have been surprised by what their club famous for its Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde ability of veering from the good to the bad and back again did next.
Four goals plundered in little over an hour gave the Robins a superb 4-2 win over a side who had began the evening sat third in the Premier Division table.
Not only that, but it was just the fourth league victory Hassocks have recorded away at YMCA since the turn of the millennium. Some style for the Robins to end their scoring drought in.
Hassocks started well and might have had a penalty within the opening five minutes. Johnson was brought down in a wide position perilously close to the edge of the area.
The assistant referee seemed to believe it was inside the box. Referee Paddy O’Reilly did not agree however and instead awarded a free kick which the Robins made little of.
YM took the lead on 13 minutes against the run of play. A Robins throw was won in the air by Harry Law. The ball fell to Archie Goodard who hit a looping volley on the turn from 25 yards over the head of the stranded Alex Harris.
That goal started a breathless period of end-to-end football. Four minutes later and Hassocks equalised, Lewis Westlake and Jack Troak combining to release Raging Joe Bull on an overlap from left back.
Bull crossed low and hard and after a series of ricochets in the box, the ball was eventually fired into the back of the YM net by Leon Turner.
Hassocks took the lead seven minutes later with a goal born out of determination from the men in blue and man-of-the-match Mike Williamson in particular.
The Robins won three 50-50 challenges in quick succession, eventually leading possession to Troak out on the left.
His deep cross was met by an unreal diving header 18 yards out from Phil Johnson, giving Aaron Jeal no chance.
The confidence those two goals gave Hassocks was obvious. Another great cross from Troak required Jeal to make a good stop after ex-Robin Josh Tuck nearly turned the ball past his own goalkeeper.
Turner then cut inside and unleashed an effort from 25 yards which whistled just the wrong side of the post. A tight but correct offside decision went against Troak on 36 minutes followed 120 seconds later by Hassocks adding their third.
Williamson won possession when a YM passing move broke down. He and midfield partner Westlake managed to find Benson, whose left footed cross was volleyed home by Johnson from eight yards.
YM were incensed as they felt Johnson had used a hand. Neither referee nor assistant spotted anything untoward and so Johnson had his second goal of the evening against his former club.
The hosts nearly pulled one back on the stroke of half time. Harris was relieved to see a cross-shot smack against the upright before being cleared away by Alex Bygraves.
It was a warning sign Hassocks should have paid more attention to. Within five minutes of the restart, YM cut Hassocks’ lead to one via another former Robin, Ben Bacon.
Tuck launched a long ball forward flicked on by Bacon. Goddard did superbly to latch onto the flick, beat three challenges from Robins players and return the ball to Bacon who converted on the slide.
Captain Westlake was forced off injured on the hour mark. Head coach and brother James Westlake was bold in his replacement, throwing on tall striker Jamie Wilkes.
Hassocks wanted a fourth rather than sitting back and attempting to hold onto their one-goal lead. The plan worked to perfection when the Robins scored again on 79 minutes. A through ball sent Johnson away and he was hauled down by Jeal, leading Mr O’Reilly to point to the spot.
YM were again left fuming with the officials, believing Johnson to have been offside. A lengthy delay ensured whilst protests were lodged.
Despite the commotion, Troak confidently beat Jeal from 12 yards with a penalty nearly as cool as the all-blue suit – think Trigger when he falls through the bar in Only Fools & Horses – Troak turned up to Gorings Mead wearing.
An already fiery game became more ill-tempered following Troak’s spot kick. That suited Hassocks, especially when Bacon entered the sin bin with five minutes remaining – time which the Robins easily navigated for a famous win.
Hassocks: Alex Harris; Harvey Blake, Alex Bygraves, Bradley Tighe, Joe Bull; Leon Turner, Lewis Westlake, Mike Williamson, Jack Troak; Phil Johnson, Liam Benson.
Subs: Jamie Wilkes (L Westlake 60), Pat Harding (Benson 75), Tom Frankland (Turner 85), Will Broomfield, James Westlake (unused).
Bedlam Brewery Starman: Mike Williamson.
