Robins crowned Sussex County Women’s League champions in five star showing
In their penultimate match of the season, Hassocks Ladies clinched the Sussex County Women’s League Premier Division title with an excellent 5-2 victory away at closest pursuers and now runners up, Bognor Regis Town.
The hosts knew they had to win to keep their hopes of being crowned champions alive and were keen to get on the front foot early on.
Hassocks skipper Claire Stevens had to shepherd out a dangerous looking cross and then head away a corner in a frantic opening five minutes.
Sarah Chappell in the Robins goal was then alert to an onrushing forward, forcing her wide. Chappell followed that up with an important block from a goal bound shot.
Hassocks had their first opportunity when Tallie Bright saw a long range effort crash against the bar and bounce over with the Bognor goalkeeper well beaten.
The disappointment at being denied what would have been a spectacular goal was shot lived as the Robins took the lead with 17 minutes on the clock through Emily Spooner.
Bognor did not take this lying down and a dangerous looking break needed a last ditch tackle from Stevens to prevent the hosts getting in on goal. That was a warning sign and Bognor duly equalised on 25 minutes.
Hassocks were dealt a further blow when the unfortunate Maddie Cannon had to be substituted with an injury. Shannon McFadden took the place of Cannon.
It was Bognor who ended the first half slightly on top. Stevens again and her defensive partner Emma Flin both had to make timely interceptions, although the last action of the half saw Hassocks go close with a McFadden effort just wide.
The teams headed in for the interval with the score locked at 1-1. Overall, the game had been fairly even with both sides having chances.
Bognor began the second half as they had started the first by going on the attack. Katie Read made a great tackle to deny a Rocks forward and a shot was then fired just wide.
Bognor made their pressure tell on 49 minutes when taking a 2-1 lead. A free kick awarded in a good position was dispatched brilliantly over the Hassocks wall and into the top corner to give Chappell no chance.
Robins manager Sean Perkins acted swiftly. Kirsten Mair had begun the game further forward due to the absence of injured top scorer Katherine Chappell.
Mair was brought back into midfield and Jemma Lindfield introduced up front, to go with a change in formation from Perkins which helped get Hassocks back into the match.
First though, the Robins needed a brilliant block and clearance from Flin to prevent them falling 3-1 behind. Bognor had seemed certain to score and it is probably safe to say that moment from Flin provided the crucial turning point in the game.
Shortly after and Hassocks equalised with a contender for team goal of the season on 56 minutes. It came from a Bognor corner, headed away by Spooner. Jodie Johanson picked up the cleared ball and returned it to Spooner, who had embarked on a charge upfield.
Spooner then played a defence splitting through pass for Lindfield to latch onto and her taking the shot on early caught the Rocks goalkeeper by surprise as the ball found the corner of the net.
With the game now level, Hassocks suddenly looked much more assured. Their midfield of Jess Craig, Mia Pordage and Mair began to dominate proceedings. Johanson on the right began to see much more of the ball and looked dangerous every time she ran at the Bognor defence.
Opportunities started to come for the Robins. Spooner shot into the side netting but followed up two minutes later with a fine goal to move Hassocks 3-2 ahead, set up by some skilful play from Pordage.
The Robins could have settled for and defended their one-goal lead but instead, they set about removing any nerves by making the game safe.
Spooner completed an outstanding performance with her hat-trick on 81 minutes followed a minute later by Pordage calmly rounding the Bognor goalkeeper from a well-timed Craig pass to give Hassocks an unassailable 5-2 lead.
Before the final whistle there was time for one more Rocks attack, thwarted by Bright. After that, the celebrations could begin with Hassocks crowned champions.
The Robins final game of the season is also against Bognor, and so this win removed any nagging doubts and avoided potential last day drama of Hassocks needing a result in a winner-takes-all clsash.
All of the the players can be really proud of their efforts in what has been a strange season. Two dreams dropped out of the league, several games had to be rearranged and others became null and void but the Robins have coped with whatever has been thrown at them to be worthy title winners.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Emma Flin, Claire Stevens, Katie Read, Jodie Johanson, Emily Spooner, Maddie Cannon, Jess Craig, Tallie Bright, Mia Pordage, Kirsten Mair.
Subs: Shannon McFadden, Jemma Lindfield, Ellie Moquet.
Bedlam Brewery Star Player: Emily Spooner.
