Four goal Jonno feasts at Forest Row to send Robins through in RUR Cup
Phil Johnson enjoyed a first half feast against Forest Row, where his four goals paved the way for Hassocks to progress to round three of the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup.
Johnson struck twice from open play and twice from the penalty spot to have the Robins home and dry inside of 45 minutes at Tinsley Lane.
A first senior goal from Danny Reid with eight minutes remaining completed a 5-0 success; the sort of straightforward result that many would have expected between a Hassocks side sitting sixth in the Southern Combination League Premier and Frow who currently prop up Division One.
The Robins though have a long and not-so-proud tradition of slipping on such banana skins. Professionally putting away lower division opponents – especially when Hassocks gave several fringe players opportunities – feels like another important milestone in the James Westlake era.
It took Hassocks just seven minutes to open the scoring – and the Robins arguably should have been 2-0 up already.
Johnson headed over from a right wing Reid cross with two minutes played, followed by Benson repeating the trick when Jack Troak delivered from the opposite flank.
No matter. A quickly taken throw from Reid found Benson on the right, who managed to keep possession although fouled by the only Forest Row defender alert to the danger
With the assistant referee waving his flag for the free kick, man in the middle Konrad Kaminski played a good advantage which allowed Benson to cross.
Johnson collected the ball into the box and took a touch into space, from where he clinically found the bottom corner with a neat left footed finish.
Reid drew a good stop from the Forest Row goalkeeper, followed by a clever free kick routine between Troak and Benson presenting Johnson with a one-on-one.
His first effort was saved, sparking a bit of a scramble involving Sam Rogers and Will Broomfield before the ball again fell to Johnson who dragged wide.
Forest Row were struggling to cope with some of Hassocks’ passing football by this point. The hosts didn’t fare better when the Robins went more direct, resulting in the second goal on 16 minutes.
Alex Harris picked out the run of Troak down the left with a great 70 yard kick from his hands down the pitch. Troak pulled a pass back to Johnson who bent low and hard into the far corner despite the best efforts of two Frow players to block.
A rare foray forward from Forest Row saw Ollie Monnery trick and tease Harvey Blake, finding enough space to get a shot away which Broomfield had to divert behind for a corner. Monnery then led Blake on a merry dance, only to lift his effort too high over Harris’ crossbar.
Hassocks bounced back from that minor lull with Reid teeing up Johnson for a hat-trick chance well blocked on 35 minutes.
Johnson did not have long to wait to bag his treble. Sam Cash was sent flying as the resulting corner came into the box and then Benson hit the ground at the back post as he attempted to convert.
Two potential fouls in the space of three seconds saw Mr Kaminski point to the spot. Johnson calmly placed the ball into the back of the net.
Incredibly, Frow conceded another penalty from a corner in the second minute of first half stoppage time. Johnson made a run from deep between two home defenders, one of whom won the ball whilst the other appeared to catch Johnson in the head, causing him to go to ground.
No player in red appealed. There was total surprise amongst the Hassocks ranks and understandable fury from Forest Row when Mr Kaminski pointed to the spot. Johnson converted again for his and the Robins’ fourth of the evening.
With Johnson replaced at the break by debutant JJ Minty dual-signed from Burgess Hill Town, Reid became an increasingly influential figure in the second half after being moved into a more central position.
He played in Troak to hit a shot repelled at full stretch by the Frow goalkeeper and then went past three home defenders, only to be denied by another sprawling stop.
Reid got the goal his performance deserved late in the day. Hassocks looked increasingly youthful by this point with 16-year-old Sam Fernley – son of 90s Robins favourite Sean – marking his senior debut by being heavily involved in the Robins’ fifth.
Cash clipped a ball up the left flank, Fernley advanced and crossed to Benson who touched the ball towards Reid.
Two Frow defenders were paying close attention, only to be taken out of the game by a clever Reid drag back which left the forward with the time and space needed to fire into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
Hassocks: Alex Harris; Harvey Blake, Bradley Tighe, Will Broomfield, Sam Cash; Danny Reid, Mike Williamson, Sam Rogers, Jack Troak; Phil Johnson, Liam Benson.
Subs: JJ Minty (Johnson 45), Jamie Wilkes (Rogers 63), Sam Fernley (Troak 77), Joe Bull, Leon Turner (unused).
Bedlam Brewery Starman: Phil Johnson.
