Hassocks find United too hot to handle on scorching September day
In their toughest test of the season so far, Hassocks surrendered both their unbeaten Premier Division record and top spot following a 3-0 defeat at Eastbourne United.
Not many people would have expected the Robins to come into their seventh game of the campaign leading the way having amassed 16 points from a possible 18.
United in contrast are heavily fancied to be involved in the promotion race having finished fourth last season.
They conceded only 32 goals, the joint-fewest in the division alongside runners up Crawley Down Gatwick. Their six defeats meanwhile was a total bettered only by champions Broadbridge Heath on five.
Had United managed to turn some of their 12 draws into victories – both games with Hassocks ended level – then they would have been very much in the championship picture.
That gives Anthony Storey’s side a obvious area for improvement. And based on what happened against Hassocks at the Oval, United look well capable of picking up the additional points needed to push even higher up the table. They withstood plenty of pressure from the Robins at one end and proved clinical at the other.
The hosts needed just two minutes to take the lead. Hayden Beaconsfield swung over a corner which stuck Callum Barlow seemingly more by luck than design to defy Fraser Trigwell.
It was such an early opener that some of the Robins substitutes had the perfect view, watching it from behind the goal as they made their way from the changing rooms around to the dugouts on the opposite side of the pitch.
Hassocks strung their first passing move together five minutes later. This eventually released Joe Bull down the left to flash a dangerous ball across the six yard box.
At least three red shirts were queuing up to convert and yet none where able to do so. A simple touch would have at least forced ex-Hassocks goalkeeper James Broadbent into action.
Alex Fair dragged one wide on 13 minutes before Broadbent found himself stretching to keep out a Raging Bull free kick.
United winger Tigana Quebe went for a spectacular bicycle kick which is best described as good idea, bad execution with the effort heading a long way away from the goal.
Both sets of players had cause to thank Quebe though for his boldness as it led to referee Daniel Cooper offering a water break whilst the ball was retrieved.
With the mercury touching 30 degrees and many of the 200 plus crowd wondering if they had made the right decision in choosing the Oval over the nearby beach, the pause in play was very welcome.
Hassocks enjoyed a good spell after the refreshment stop. Bailo Camara and George Olulode were both booked in the space of two minutes and another Bull delivery was crying out to be turned in.
Broadbent saved bravely at the feet of Liam Benson. When Fair then rattled the post three minutes before half time, United were visibly holding out for the interval and the chance to regroup.
The Robins in contrast found their momentum checked by half time. The first 15 minutes of the second half were a non event, leading James Westlake to make a treble change on the hour mark in an attempt to shake his team back to life.
Off went Alfie Loversidge, Jamie Wilkes and Alex Fair. One came Kyle Woolven, Josh Mundy and Sean Stephenson.
For former Ipswich Town youth team player Stephenson, it was a Hassocks debut following his signing earlier in the week from Newhaven.
The changes almost paid dividends with Hassocks coming close to an equaliser just three minutes later through Benson.
United survived though and as the half wore on, the Robins had to become ever more attacking in their quest for an equaliser.
The hosts remained solid despite the best efforts of Hassocks to find a way through. United man-of-the-match Alfie Headland stood out in particular at centre back.
Hassocks were pretty sturdy themselves, Matt Gunn proving the equal of Headland by taking the Robins’ Starman award.
This was certainly not an afternoon on which Gunn or indeed Hassocks deserved to concede three. They did so after being caught out by two sucker punches in the final eight minutes.
Substitute Ed Ratcliffe hit a crisp strike from distance to double United’s lead on 82. The three points were then made safe as the game was about to tick into injury time with Ratcliffe again heavily involved.
He earned a corner with a shot from a Callum Barlow pass deflected behind. Beaconsfield played the set piece short to Ratcliffe, who embarked on a great solo run ended with a clinical finish from a tight angle to complete an impressive cameo from the bench.
Hassocks: Fraser Trigwell; Tom Frankland, Matt Gunn, Alex Bygraves, Joe Bull; Alfie Loversidge, Jamie Wilkes, Mike Williamson, Pat Harding; Alex Fair, Liam Benson.
Subs: Josh Mundy (Wilkes 59), Kyle Woolven (Loversidge 59), Sean Stephenson (Fair 59), Sam Smith, Seam Geard (unused).
Starman: Matt Gunn.
