Villa victorious to send Robins out of Sussex Women’s Challenge Cup
An excellent Montpelier Villa side proved too good for Hassocks Ladies in the Sussex Women’s Challenge Cup, inflicting a 4-1 defeat on the Robins at Culver Road.
Hassocks actually started the brighter of the teams, applying some early pressure with Kirstin Mair and Emily Spooner prominent as the Robins had plenty of the ball early on.
The eighth minute saw Hassocks goalkeeper Ellie Moquet make a good block in amidst a goalmouth scramble.
Up the other end and Jess Craig shot just wide, after which Villa broke and Katie Read had to be alert to make an important clearance.
Montpelier began to assert their authority around the quarter hour mark. Craig was forced into a vital interception on 16 minutes, conceding a corner.
This led to another goalmouth scramble, from which Tora Barratt poked the ball home despite a valiant Moquet effort to keep it out.
Emma Flin made a good clearance to prevent Villa instantly doubling the lead. But otherwise, falling behind seemed to galvanise Hassocks and they enjoyed their best spell of the game.
Montpelier goalkeeper Hope Hawkins parried a dangerous Jodie Johanson cross but no red shirt was on hand to follow up the loose ball into what would have been an empty goal.
Hassocks captain Claire Stevens showed her pace by making a great saving tackle as a Villa forward appeared to be racing clear one-on-one with Moquet.
The Robins positivity after conceding was rewarded with a 29th minute equaliser. Johanson found Emily Spooner, whose first time shot from distance brilliantly caught out Hawkins by lobbing the Villa number one and nestling into the bottom corner.
Unfortunately, the joy at levelling the tie was short lived. Straight from kick off and Villa broke forward, resulting in a slightly lucky second goal. An attempted clearance struck Barratt and she gleefully put the ball clinically beyond Moquet.
Hassocks responded by continuing to press in an attempt to find their second leveller of the afternoon. A skilful passing move between Mair and Katherine Chappell earned a corner which came to nothing.
Stevens once again made a trademark important block before the Robins brought on Lola Moon. Hassocks finished the half strongly with both Craig and Spooner having efforts on goal, although Jo Brown had to make an excellent just before the half ended with Montpelier leading 2-1.
There were two further changes for the Robins at the break. Johnson and Spooner were replaced by Tallie Bright and Steph Wingeatt, making her debut.
Villa made a positive start to the second half and Flin twice hat to cover in order to thwart dangerous situations. Moon then showed her skill with an effort saved.
The 58th minute saw Montpelier add their third, Georgia Egner going on a run and finish to round off some impressive passing build up.
Bright embarked on a penetrating run herself but no Hassocks player was able to react to her cross into the box.
Jo Brown made a superb saving tackle when a forward went through on goal as the Robins threw numbers forward in an attempt to stay in the competition.
That though left them open at the back and Montpelier took advantage to add a break away fourth on 66 minutes through Saskia Taylor-Doyle.
Mair was brought back on with Moon making way and shortly after, Spooner was reintroduced in place of Mia Pordage, who had battled incredibly hard in midfield.
The changes could not turn the game around and Villa ended on the front foot. Moquet had to make a sharp save and Stevens a last ditch tackle. In one final throw of the dice, Moon returned to the action in place of Mair but to no avail.
Montpelier forced Moquet into another impressive stop and Stevens had to use her pace to cover after a slightly wayward pass almost helped Villa to a fifth.
Despite this being a second 4-1 defeat in a row for the Robins, the players should remain positive. There have been signs that Hassocks should be able to hold their own against several of the teams in the higher standard of London & South East Regional Division One South.
Hassocks: Ellie Moquet, Katie Read, Emma Flin, Claire Stevens, Jo Brown, Jodie Johanson, Jess Craig, Kirstin Mair, Mia Pordage, Emily Spooner, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Lola Moon, Tallie Bright, Steph Wingeatt (used).
Silver Rocket Brewing Star Player: Claire Stevens.
