Perfect 10 for Robins to move three points clear at the top of the table
In their first game for five weeks, Hassocks Ladies opened up a three point lead at the top of the Sussex County Women’s League Premier Division thanks to a 10-2 win over Pagham at the Beacon.
The Robins started on the front foot with a Kirsten Mair shot just wide coming after good pressure from Katherine Chappell to force a corner.
Emily Spooner than had a shot saved before Jodie Johanson won another corner. Mair delivered and Jess Craig headed home at the near post to give Hassocks a eighth minute lead.
With the Robins well on top, it was something of a surprise when Pagham enjoyed a good spell leading to an equaliser.
Hassocks goalkeeper Ellie Moquet saved the visitors’ first attack but there was little she could do about the second when the Pagham forward levelled the scores.
The Robins responded well by reasserting their control. A cross-shot from Spooner rattled the bar and the Pagham defence were alert to clear a ball into the box following a great run by Johanson.
Pagham remained a threat on the break. Defender Jo Brown had to make an excellent interception and clearance to prevent what could have been a dangerous counter from the visitors.
Spooner again tested the goalkeeper with a shot blocked before Hassocks retook the lead on 26 minutes, Chappell finding the corner of the net with a clinical effort.
Five minutes later and Hassocks scored their third via a second of the morning for Craig, firing home following a bit of a goalmouth scramble.
The Robins were starting to build momentum now and five minutes later added a fourth. Defender Emma Flin showed a striker’s instinct to pounce on a miss-hit clearance and claim a rare goal.
Hassocks ramped the pressure up further with two good chances in quick succession from pinpoint corners.
Spooner delivered first from the right and then Mair from the left. Craig met the second corner with a near post header just over the bar in what was almost a carbon copy of the opening goal.
The Robins were dealt a blow when Chappell had to be substituted just before half time with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, replaced by Maddie Cannon.
There was still time for one last Pagham effort of the half. A through ball might have caused problems were it not for the alert Moquet coming quickly from her line to clear, enabling Hassocks to go into the break with a 4-1 lead.
Although comfortably ahead, the Robins could not afford to relax and they started the second half well on top.
Claire Stevens earned a corner, Mair had a shot saved and another Craig header was just wide. By the 51st minute, Hassocks’ pressure told when a Mia Pordage cross found Cannon to comfortably score the fifth.
A minute later and Cannon scored another, this time from a left wing Craig cross. Mair almost had a seventh minutes later, only to slip as she made contact with a pass to send the ball agonisingly over.
Hassocks made another change on the hour mark, bringing on Jemma Lindfield for Spooner. Lindfield nearly scored straight away, the Pagham goalkeeper having to make a great block from an on target effort.
The Robins were not to be denied a seventh for long. A under hit back pass was latched onto by Mair, who easily rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into the empty net.
Tallie Bright was next to make way after battling well on the left as Hassocks made the most of their bench, introducing Holly Webb for the final half hour.
Lindfield had another effort saved before Pagham surprisingly found a second, this time after a goalmouth scramble.
Hassocks though were not downhearted and added an eighth goal. A pass from Cannon found Craig, whose shot from distance gave the goalkeeper no chance to complete her hat-trick.
Pordage had another effort saved and the Pagham number one twice had to be alert to cut out through balls. At the other end, Moquet dealt well with a high shot.
The game reached the 90 minute mark with the score at 8-2, only for Hassocks to add two more in time added on.
Pordage ran through and unselfishly squared to Lindfield who found the empty net. Less than 60 seconds later, Lindfield fed Cannon whose effort squirmed through the Pagham goalkeeper to see her join Mair in the hat-trick club.
The Robins can be pleased with their efforts. The midfielders and attackers always looked dangerous and scoring 10 goals tells its own story.
Although two were conceded, the back three of Brown, Flin and Stevens always seemed in control against what was a lively Pagham forward line.
Hassocks can now look forward to the final two matches of the campaign, both against second place Bognor Regis Town to decide which team is crowned champions.
Hassocks: Ellie Moquet, Emma Flin, Claire Stevens, Jo Brown, Jodie Johanson, Emily Spooner, Kirsten Mair, Jess Craig, Tallie Bright, Mia Pordage, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Maddie Cannon (Chappell), Jemma Lindfield (Spooner), Holly Webb (Bright).
Bedlam Brewery Star Player: Kirsten Mair.
