Misery at Midhurst where Hassocks hammered in heaviest defeat of the season
One week after scoring five times past helpless Saltdean United in the space of 24 first half minutes, Hassocks found themselves on the other end of a hammering at the hands of Midhurst & Easebourne.
Everything that could go wrong went wrong for the Robins on their long trip west for a first league game at the Rotherfield in nearly 30 years.
They were three down at half time, lost goalkeeper Alex Harris to a toe injury just before the interval and shipped twice more after the break with defender Will Broomfield between the posts to sink to a 5-0 defeat.
This was not the start to a pivotal looking December that James Westlake would have been hoping for. League matches with Midhurst, Peacehaven & Telscombe, Eastbourne Town and Steyning Town mean Hassocks face four opponents all vying for a top six spot along with themselves.
The Robins will also take on the yellow half of Eastbourne in the second round of the Sussex Senior Cup at the Beacon.
With the winners facing a home tie against Bexhill United in round three, Hassocks have a winnable route to the quarter finals – a stage they have only ever reached twice before and which offers the prospect of a meeting with one of the biggest clubs in the county.
It goes without saying that if Hassocks are to progress in the Senior Cup and maintain their challenge for a first top six finish in nearly a decade, then they will have to do much better than they managed against Midhurst.
Westlake made two changes from the side who had been so impressive against Satldean seven days earlier.
Former Loxwood midfielder Tom Tennant came in for his full debut in place of Sam Rogers, who dropped to the bench.
Tom Frankland made his first start since September following injury. Frankland replaced the absent JJ Minty out on the right and his showing was one of the few bright spots from a Hassocks point of view.
Any away supporters arriving late would have missed the Robins’ best moment of the match. Three minutes had elapsed when a lovely passing move from right to left presented a shooting opportunity for Joe Bull charging forward from left back.
Bull though failed to trouble Midhurst goalkeeper Josh Bird with his effort flying wide of the upright. That represented a good start for Hassocks; but sadly, it was as good as it got.
Midhurst took the lead with 13 minutes played thanks to some poor defending from Hassocks. Two home players were allowed free headers in the area, the second of which was put past Harris by the Stags’ top scorer Harry Tremlett.
Hassocks had déjà vu 120 seconds later. A free kick was delivered into the box and again the Robins’ marking was non-existent, leaving Dan Wood free to head home.
Midhurst scored their third five minutes before the break and it was another gift. Harris passed the ball straight to Tremlett, who subsequently hit a lob over the head of the stranded Hassocks number one to make it 3-0.
That was Harris’ last contribution before hobbling off. With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench, it fell to Broomfield to don the gloves in the second half.
During the interval, the more optimistic of the Hassocks faithful recalled the August meeting of these two sides at the Beacon. Midhurst had sauntered into an easy 3-0 lead, only for the Robins to come battling back.
Hassocks were within a Phil Johnson effort which rattled the woodwork of claiming a famous point from a 4-4 draw that night.
Striking early in the second half might have given the Robins a chance of worrying Midhurst. Instead, it was the Stags who added their fourth just two minutes after the restart as the poor defending which had blighted Hassocks in the opening 45 showed no signs of abating.
Tremlett was again the scorer, completing his hat-trick. The Robins did at least show a little fight after that, managing to get through half an hour without conceding.
No prizes for guessing who added the fifth for Midhurst to complete the scoring with 13 minutes remaining. Tremlett had enjoyed a very fruitful afternoon and he left Broomfield with no chance to round off a four-goal haul.
Hassocks: Alex Harris; Harvey Blake, Bradley Tighe, Alex Bygraves, Joe Bull; Tom Frankland, Tom Tennant, Jamie Wilkes, Jack Troak; Pat Harding, Liam Benson.
Subs: Will Broomfield (Harris 44), Phil Johnson (Harding 58), Sam Rogers (Tennant 58), Sam Smith (Frankland 71), Phil Gault (unused).
Bedlam Brewery Starman: Tom Frankland.
