Comeback win rocks Bognor and maintains Robins 100 percent start
The 100 percent record goes on for Hassocks Ladies as they maintained their perfect start to the season with a hard fought 3-2 victory over a very skilful Bognor Regis Town side.
After a lengthy period of nine weeks since their most recent competitive match, Hassocks understandably looked somewhat rusty in the opening minutes at a wet and windy Beacon.
Bognor in contrast began the game well, taking the lead with an unstoppable shot in the fifth minute which gave Robins goalkeeper Sarah Chappell no chance.
The next few minutes continued in the same vein. Bognor again went close, followed shortly by Claire Stevens having to make a last gasp tackle to thwart another effort on goal from the visitors.
Hassocks gradually got into their stride after their slow start, coming more into the game even though Holly Webb had to go off injured. Shannon McFadden was introduced in place of Webb.
Despite Hassocks’ improvement, Bognor continued to look dangerous and were awarded a free kick in the 20th minute.
It was well struck, hitting the post and with an alert forward slotting home the rebound, the Rocks had a 2-0 lead.
To their credit, Hassocks were not downhearted and set about battling back. Jodie Johanson was frequently involved on the right-hand side and the especially-busy Tallie Bright on the left embarked on a mazy run and shot which was saved.
Bright had another effort deflected for a corner and Jess Craig played a through ball which was only just too hard, running through to the Bognor goalkeeper.
The lively Bright came close again with a shot cleared off the line before Hassocks got themselves back into the game.
A through ball from Kirsten Mair found top scorer Katherine Chappell who calmly beat the keeper with a well-placed shot into the corner for her 22nd of the season from just seven matches.
With the weather now really threatening and conditions very dark, Hassocks had to defend well in the final few minutes of the half to go in at the break trailing by only one.
Thankfully, conditions improved slightly by the time the second half started. Hassocks manager Sean Perkins changed formation with Katie Read going into a back four and Mia Pordage moving further forward.
Before the change had a chance to make a difference, Bognor were awarded a 49th minute penalty after a foul in the box.
In a moment that massively impacted the outcome of the match, player-of-the-match Chappell dived and superbly saved the well-struck penalty.
The danger was not over and Chappell did brilliantly to recover and divert the follow up for a corner, completing a truly magnificent double save.
That galvanised Hassocks and they responded by winning a corner. The Robins failed to make much of it and a big clearance gave Bognor the chance of a breakaway which Emma Flin had to defend well to avert the danger.
Bognor’s speedy forwards looked really dangerous on the counter and after another quick break keeper Chappell had to narrow the angle and force a visiting player to shoot wide.
Hassocks continued to fight with midfielders Craig and McFadden looking strong and combining well. In the 77th minute, the Robins were awarded a free kick about 30 yards from goal.
Kirsten Mair is always dangerous in these types of situations as Bognor found to their cost with the ball sent straight into the corner to level the game.
Bognor responded by going on the attack in an attempt to retake the lead and Stevens had to make another important clearance.
Hassocks completed their comeback with the winner in the 82nd minute. A pinpoint accurate pass from Mair put enabled Pordage to round the Bognor goalkeeper and slot the ball home.
Bognor were even more determined now with eight minutes remaining in which to find an equaliser. A wonderful last-ditch tackle from Jo Brown saved a situation when Bognor looked certain to score before a final effort from a free kick in a dangerous position was comfortable saved by Chappell.
Hassocks had to make a last minute substitution when Ellie Moquet replaced Katie Read who had suffered a knock on the head after bravely winning the ball in the air.
The final whistle went soon afterwards, confirming a brilliant 3-2 victory for the Robins. It was the first real test of this Hassocks side after a series of fairly one-sided games earlier in the season and after a long layoff, every one of the players can be proud of their efforts which contributed to an excellent result.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Claire Stevens, Jo Brown, Kirsten Mair, Emma Flin, Tallie Bright, Holly Webb, Jess Craig, Mia Pordage, Jodie Johanson, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Shannon McFadden, Katie Read, Ellie Moquet (used).
