Last gasp Tye winner brings Robins season of progress to its conclusion
Just as their 2022-23 campaign had begun, so it ended for Hassocks – with defeat away at Peacehaven & Telscombe.
The progress made over James Westlake’s first year as head coach of the Robins though has been impressive.
And it was illustrated here by the Robins losing this Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup quarter final 2-1 to a last minute goal, compared to the 3-0 defeat suffered on the opening day of the Premier Division season.
Hassocks were outclassed nine months ago by a slick, organised and clinical Tye outfit. But come the end of the campaign, there were only two places and five points separating the clubs in the standings as the Robins secured their first top 10 finish in nine years and Peacehaven came eighth.
Where the Tye have excelled this season is in cup competitions, earning a reputation as the Southern Combination League’s knockout specialists.
They embarked on a memorable run to the last eight of the FA Vase, drawing an incredible crowd of 1,253 to the Window Workshop Sports Park for a cruel quarter final exit on penalties against Corsham Town.
Peacehaven also won through three rounds of the FA Cup to reach the first qualifying round, advanced to the semi finals of the Peter Bentley League Cup and the third round of the Sussex Senior Cup. Both of those adventures were ended by Crowborough Athletic.
The Tye will now fancy their chances of going all the way in the RUR. Eastbourne United await in the semis after shocking Isthmian League side and holders Littlehampton Town on penalties at the Flora Sportsfield, thanks to some spot kick saving heroics from former Hassocks goalkeeper James Broadbent.
It is a somewhat unexpected shot at glory, too. Up until last week, there had been some doubt that the RUR Cup would be played to a finish.
Indeed, Hassocks thought they had completed their campaign with a fine 4-1 win over Eastbourne Town 10 days previously, only to then find out they would actually have another game against Peacehaven.
If it sounds like a bit of a shambles, that is because it is. The Sussex County FA have hardly covered themselves in glory with their organisation of both this competition and the Senior Cup.
No RUR matches had been scheduled between the conclusion of the second round in October and an attempt to get the third round played in late March, when the Robins eliminated Steyning Town on penalties.
Wet weather meant several other third round ties were postponed and never rescheduled. Peacehaven were one such beneficiary of the chaos, receiving a bye to the face Hassocks after Lancing pulled out of the competition.
With their Isthmian season done and dusted and manager Dean Cox having resigned upon its conclusion to take over at Burgess Hill Town, the Lancers told the Sussex FA they had no interest in continuing in the RUR Cup into May.
Having said all that, Hassocks and Peacehaven clearly wanted to make the most of the opportunity to lift silverware.
Both named strong starting XIs when there must have been some doubt beforehand over player availability given the late notice of the game taking place.
Westlake made one change from the team who had so impressed when beating Town last time out, Josh Bradley taking over on the left flank from Joe Bull.
Whereas February’s league meeting between Hassocks and Peacehaven at the Beacon had finished scoreless, there was one goal apiece inside the opening quarter hour this time around.
Cam Wiltshire put the hosts ahead with a later contender for goal of the season. A clipped ball out of defence from Peacehaven looked to have been well dealt with by Sam Smith, whose header found Mike Williamson some 35 yards from goal.
But as Williamson attempted to turn and get Hassocks on the front foot, Wiltshire arrived on the scene to nick possession.
The Tye midfielder then advanced a further 10 yards before cracking a distance effort with his right foot. It cannoned into top corner of the net off the opposite post with James Shaw unable to be anything more than an impressed bystander.
Peacehaven did not lead for long. With 14 minutes on the clock, Liam Benson finished from a tight angle past ex-Robin Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke.
It was Benson’s 19th goal of the most prolific season of his career and moved him onto 50 in Hassocks colours in the process.
The next 75 minutes were packed with attacking football and although Peacehaven probably did enough to win, it looked like the Robins were heading towards a third shootout of the campaign.
Having won the previous two against Steyning and in the Sussex Senior Cup against Saltdean United, Hassocks would have fancied their chances from 12 yards.
Unfortunately, it did not get that far. A long throw in the 90th minute caused utter confusion in the Hassocks box, where Billy Oliver eventually fired past Shaw in an almighty goalmouth scramble.
There was still time for the Robins to win a late corner and send Shaw forward. The Tye though hung on, bringing to an end a season full of promising signs for the future for Hassocks.
Hassocks: James Shaw; Harvey Blake, Sam Smith, Alex Bygraves, Jack Troak; Alfie Loversidge, Mike Williamson, James Westlake, Josh Bradley; Pat Harding, Liam Benson.
Subs: Leon Turner (Bradley 68), Alex Brewer (Harding 72), Joe Bull (Loversidge 82), Jamie Wilkes, Sam Rogers (unused).
Bedlam Brewery Starman: Harvey Blake.
