Robins beaten in season opener but scoreline does not tell whole story
In a hard fought match which was closer than the final score of 4-1 suggests, Hassocks Ladies lost their opening game in the London and South East Regional Women’s League Division One against Welling United.
The match started fairly evenly with both sides threatening at a sunny Beacon. Firstly, Hassocks captain Claire Stevens had to head clear two early crosses in quick succession.
Hassocks fashioned a half chance in response. Kirsten Mair hit a superb through ball which Welling goalkeeper Tania Morton had to come rushing from her box to clear.
Next came Holly Webb thwarting a Welling attack at the expense of a corner. Again, the delivery into the box was expertly headed away by Stevens.
This was followed by an almighty goalmouth scramble. Somehow, a combination of Hassocks defenders made to clear the ball.
The 22nd minute brought the best opportunity of the game so far. Jodie Johanson and Mia Pordage produced some neat build up play to create a shooting chance for Emily Spooner. It needed a good save from Morton to prevent Spooner giving the Robins the lead.
Unfortunately, Hassocks found themselves a goal down shortly after that chance when Gracie Speak produced a clinical shot from distance which found the corner of the net.
New Robins manager Alison Page responded by making a substitution, introducing debutant Lola Moon in place of Mair. The change had an immediate impact as Hassocks equalised almost straight away.
Emma Flin hit a cross field pass to Johanson, who played the ball back inside for Katherine Chappell. Having scored 30 times in only 13 games last season, Chappell continued where she left off by making no mistake with a shot drilled across Morton and into the bottom corner.
The visitors had seemingly not expected a Robins equaliser and they subsequently raised their game. A dangerous Welling break ended with a shot just wide before Hassocks survived another chaotic scramble to again hack away.
Hassocks lost Johanson to a head injury in the final 10 minutes of the half with Mair returning in her place. There was still time after that for Welling to threaten twice more.
A corner was headed wastefully wide, followed by Stevens taking a break from heading everything clear to expertly shepherd a forward into a position where the angle was too wide to finish.
Despite the very obvious improvement in the visitors’ performance after Hassocks had levelled, 1-1 was ultimately a fair reflection going into the break.
Just like the first half, the second half began fairly evenly. A great run from Pordage won Hassocks a corner which came to nothing.
Welling almost made more of corner of their own, only for Sarah Chappell to make a great claim under pressure.
The 57th minute saw Tallie Bright release Spooner into a dangerous position where she was halted by a foul.
From the resulting free kick, Morton was required to make another good stop at the expense of another corner.
Welling then enjoyed a breakaway with Chappell producing a brilliant save. The Hassocks number one followed up with another important stop from a Welling forward racing through on goal.
There was nothing Chappell could do when substitute Carly Gray produced a crisp finish to give Welling a 2-1 lead just past the hour mark.
Page again turned to her bench in response, bringing on Jess Gray. Hassocks forced a goalmouth scramble of their own but nobody in read was able to provide a finish.
A remarkable piece of skill from Gray then saw her turn and power a shot which beat Morton all ends up, only to crash against the angle of post and bar.
Page made several more changes in an attempt to find an equaliser. Pordage thought she had provided one, only for Morton to again thwart the Robins.
With the game entering injury time, Hassocks threw everything they had at Welling. That left spaces at the other end for the visitors to exploit on the counter, which they did ruthlessly as Gray scored a quickfire double to complete her hat-trick and end the Robins’ hopes of a comeback.
Although Welling deserved their victory, the final scoreline was harsh and Hassocks could easily have taken a point from the match.
It is clear the London & Regional League is a big step up in quality from the Sussex League which Hassocks won last season, but the Robins will take heart from their efforts.
Full backs Katie Read and Webb can dealt well with two very skilful and fast forwards. The Hassocks midfielders were always involved and had their share of possession and new players Moon and Gray look to be good additions to the squad.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Katie Read, Emma Flin, Claire Stevens, Holly Webb, Tallie Bright, Emily Spooner, Kirstin Mair, Jodie Johanson, Mia Pordage, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Lola Moon, Jess Gray, Ellie Moquet (used).
Silver Rocket Brewing Star Player: Kirstin Mair.
