Troak helps Hassocks find two goals in final 15 minutes to tame the Tigers
For 75 minutes at Hill Park, it looked like Hassocks were going to suffer from that dreaded word frustration against Saltdean United.
The score was locked at 0-0 despite the Robins being the dominant side, particularly in the second half following the introduction of livewire substitute Jack Troak.
Countless opportunities had gone begging and the travelling support were beginning to wonder if this was to be another of those days – and there have been quite a few this season – where Hassocks were going to rue their wastefulness.
But then the Robins found two goals in the final quarter of an hour, both of which were the result of brilliant link up play down the left flank from Leon Turner and Troak to secure a first league double over Saltdean since the 1994-95 season.
The first arrived on 76 minutes, just as the Tigers and former Hassocks head coach Brad Sweetman must have thought their luck was in and they were going to claim a big point in their battle against relegation.
Turner fed the overlapping Troak to pull a pass back to Phil Johnson who fired past Josh James to finally open the scoring.
Six minutes later and the Robins made the game safe. Again Turner released Troak to set up a second which appeared to have been turned in by a Saltdean defender. The dubious goals panel will have to rule whether it goes down as an own goal or to Troak.
James Westlake’s team selection laid bare his intention to attack opponents who his side had stuck five goals past in 24 first half minutes at the Beacon in November. Johnson, Liam Benson and Pat Harding all started together for just the second time this season.
Westlake also introduced tall striker Jamie Wilkes into midfield. Bradley Tighe was unavailable as he and his partner had welcomed a baby girl into the world earlier in the morning. Sam Smith took Tighe’s place alongside Alex Bygraves at centre back.
Saltdean meanwhile could count upon six ex-Robins in their line up with Sweetman having recruited heavily from Hassocks following his summer switch to Hill Park.
Arthur Rawlingson and Danny Reid have recently moved from the Beacon to Saltdean and they joined fellow former Hassocks players Alfie Edmeads, Josh Tuck, Lewis Beebee and Connor Ghosh in the Tigers XI.
The Robins nearly made the perfect start when Joe Bull sported James off his line and went for goal from 35 yards inside of 60 seconds. James though recovered the situation well.
Other than that, the opening exchanges were quite placid. It needed a Johnson half chance created by Harvey Blake down the right to spark things into life on 28 minutes, followed by Johnson heading a brilliant Westlake delivery over the bar from six yards.
The 35th minute saw Harding slide in Johnson to fire over. Turner then did everything right by beating two Saltdean defenders with his potent combination of pace and skill, only to drag his shot wide.
Given how Hassocks had finished the first half, Saltdean were relieved when the break arrived to bring them some respite.
Any hopes that the 15 minute interval would derail the Robins’ momentum were quickly dashed as Hassocks were instantly on the front foot as soon as the action resumed.
Three minutes after the restart and Johnson headed a pinpoint Blake cross straight at James. Saltdean were put even more under the cosh when the Robins replaced Bull with Troak on 54 minutes to overload the left side with attacking threat.
Just past the hour mark and Smith had a header cleared off the line, sparking pandemonium in the Saltdean box. No Hassocks player was able to capitalise and put the ball into the net.
Another big chance came the way of Johnson’s head from a Westlake free kick. Two minutes later and a headed opportunity went to someone other than Johnson. The outcome however was the same, this time Harding nodding straight at the thankful James.
Hassocks finally opened the scoring six minutes after that missed Harding chance. The relief in the away camp was obvious and even though you sensed one goal would be enough, the second was very welcome.
Scoring twice in quick succession seemed to push the Robins on to find more in the final 10. A cleverly worked free kick put Westlake in one-on-one. For once, poor finishing was not to blame as James made an outstanding save to deny the Hassocks head coach.
Saltdean mustered their best chance of the game with two minutes remaining. It fell to Edmeads, denied a goal against his old club by James Shaw making a fine stop in what was the Hassocks goalkeepers only real action of the afternoon.
Hassocks: James Shaw; Harvey Blake, Sam Smith, Alex Bygraves, Joe Bull; Leon Turner, Jamie Wilkes, James Westlake; Phil Johnson, Liam Benson, Pat Harding.
Subs: Jack Troak (Bull 54), Phil Gault (Benson 71), Alfie Loversidge (Harding 76), Sam Rogers (Johnson 93), Will Broomfield (unused).
Bedlam Brewery Starman: Jack Troak.
