Penalty drama sees Hassocks scrape into Sussex Senior Cup second round
By the skin of their teeth, Hassocks moved into the second round of the Sussex Senior Cup for the first time since 2019 after eliminating Saltdean United on penalties.
As late as the 81st minute, it looked like ex-Robins head coach Brad Sweetman was going to mark his return to the Beacon by eliminating his former club from the competition.
The Tigers deservedly led 2-1 with Hassocks having delivered a really poor performance by the recent high standards which have seen them move to within five points of top spot in the Premier Division.
Then the Robins found a fortunate equaliser to force a shoot out. Substitute Phil Johnson hit an effort which took such a heavy deflection off a Saltdean player that it could feasibly have gone down as an own goal.
Lady luck continued to shine on the Robins into the lottery of penalties. A roller coaster shoot out saw 16 spot kicks taken, Hassocks missing two and Saltdean three to give the hosts a 6-5 victory.
Just like in the Peter Bentley League Cup last month, James Westlake used the break from league action as a chance to ring changes.
Danny Reid and Sam Rogers were both rewarded for some excellent Under 23s performances with their first senior starts for Hassocks.
Pat Harding got a first 90 minutes under his belt since breaking three ribs in pre-season. Sam Cash made his first start since August following injury and Alex Bygraves returned after missing the weekend win over AFC Varndeanians. Dropping to the bench were Johnson, Harvey Blake, Bradley Tighe, Jamie Wilkes and Leon Turner.
Hassocks might point to the unfamiliarity in their starting XI as a reason for their below par showing, although there was no indication of what was to coming during an opening 15 minutes in which the Robins started well.
Alex Harris had to be alert inside of 60 seconds to make a smart save but after that, it was all Hassocks. Rogers and Mike Williamson combined to release Reid who fired an effort straight down the throat of Saltdean goalkeeper Josh James.
The opening goal arrived with 12 minutes played. Raging Joe Bull delivered a corner to the front post where Jack Troak timed his run perfectly to arrive and volley home.
Hassocks continued to press. A searching ball out of defence from Sam Smith released Liam Benson down the flank. His cross was met by a Harding effort just over the bar.
Troak should have doubled the advantage when another good right wing delivery from Bull looked destined to find him at the far post. Instead, the ball sailed straight past Troak and out of play.
It was a goal out of nothing which hauled Saltdean level on 24 minutes. There did not seem much on when former Hassocks wide man Lucas Tyrrell had possession 30 yards away from goal and out towards wing.
Tyrrell though spotted Harris off his line and hit a clean strike which flew over the head of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Conceding seemed to rock Hassocks. Their dominance dried up and the remaining 65 minutes became a game of few chances at either end.
The Tigers came closest to moving into the lead before the break, drawing an important stop out of Harris from a free header at the far post.
Seven minutes into the second half and Saltdean took the lead through Jesse Burbidge. Westlake responded by making a double change on the hour mark, Wilkes and Turner replacing Rogers and Reid.
A rare moment of quality from the Robins arrived two minutes later as they put the ball in the back of the net via a sweeping move, only for it to be disallowed in peculiar circumstances.
The assistant referee spotted an offside nobody else had, one it seemed that referee Owen Lawrence was willing to overrule as he allowed play to continue for an eternity after the flag was initially raised.
It was only once Hassocks finished the play by scoring that Mr Lawrence blew for offside, having not seen his assistant’s flag in the air.
Johnson replaced Benson on 71 minutes, not long after Benson had fired high from the edge of the box. Nine minutes after his introduction and Johnson was booked. 60 seconds later and he produced the equaliser with the help of that wicked deflection.
That shook the Robins back to life and they finished the game strongly. Turner’s run caused a scramble in the box which nobody in red could convert.
Bull hit a free kick high, wide and not particularly handsome. A second yellow card for Ross Smith left Saltdean to negotiate the final three minutes with only 10 men and then tall striker Wilkes missed from a couple of yards when it looked easier to score right at the death.
Hassocks missed their first penalty which looked ominous. The Robins though held their nerve, recovered and will now be hoping for a money-spinning draw with one of the big boys of Sussex football in the next round.
Hassocks: Alex Harris; Sam Cash, Sam Smith, Alex Bygraves, Joe Bull; Danny Reid, Mike Williamson, Sam Rogers, Jack Troak; Pat Harding, Liam Benson.
Subs: Jamie Wilkes (Rogers 59), Leon Turner (Reid 59), Phil Johnson (Benson 72), Harvey Blake, Bradley Tighe (unused).
Bedlam Brewery Starman: Alex Harris.
