Hassocks FA Vase bid grounded in shadow of Heathrow Airport
Bedfont Recreation Ground is located at the western end of Heathrow Airport’s southern runway and it was here that Hassocks saw their Isuzu FA Vase campaign grounded for another year.
Having taken flight to the first round proper of the competition for the first time in nine years, the Robins were beaten 2-0 by Combined Counties Premier Division North promotion hopefuls Bedfont Sports.
Even in defeat, Hassocks made a good impression on the locals. The Middlesex FA’s roving reporter described the Robins as “a very good, skilful attacking side.”
Words of praise indeed for James Westlake and his players; it was not so long ago that any cup clash with opponents from stronger leagues outside of the Southern Combination were met with fear and trepidation.
Hassocks set out to dominate possession from the off and after some initial midfield skirmishes, created the first two openings of the game.
Joe Bull came forward from left back to deliver a dangerous cross into Sports’ box which needed home captain Max Webb to clear behind for a corner.
The Robins then worked a chance for Jamie Wilkes on the edge of the area. Sports goalkeeper Harry Poole proved equal to the snapshot on the turn from the tall Hassocks striker, blocking with his legs.
It was somewhat against the run of play that the Eagles took the lead with 12 minutes played from the penalty spot.
Aston Greaver was brought down in the box as he attempted to round Fraser Trigwell, leading referee Thomas Murray to point to the spot. Mark Bitmead emphatically converted from 12 yards.
Undeterred by the setback, Hassocks were straight back onto the front foot. The Robins had a lot of the ball without ever really doing much with it, except for a Mike Williamson drive from 25 yards comfortably held by Poole.
A rare foray forward from Sports saw Jared Myers hit a cross-shot from the ring wing. Hassocks were grateful that neither no red and black shirt was present to add the final touch and that the ball flew just wide of the upright at the other side.
The Robins best first half opportunity to equalise saw Harvey Blake strike the bar from an acute angle on 24 minutes after overlapping Tom Frankland.
Both Blake and Frankland were looking dangerous down the right. Frankland too posed a threat from set pieces throughout, most notably when forcing Poole into palming a direct free kick over the bar at full stetch in what was an excellent piece of goalkeeping.
Sports came on strong in the final five minutes of the half and Bradley Tighe was required to produce two timely interventions.
Myers made a lot of ground before cutting inside from the left, only to be stopped by a perfectly timed sliding tackle from Tighe.
Jack Beadle then broke into the Hassocks box. Thankfully, Tighe had watched out and knew Beadle was about as he again stole the ball for the Robins at a crucial moment.
The second half went off at a quicker speed than Concorde. Myers set up Beadle but an unusual bounce off the 3G pitch saw him fire over the bar.
Poole kept out a raging Bull effort from 18 yards low down and the Eagles goalkeeper was then worked up high by a Sean Stephenson shot.
A fine team goal gave Sports their second of the afternoon on 52 minutes. Josh Eatwell gobbled up ground in midfield to find the lively Greaver down the right.
Not wanting to risk another crash landing with Trigwell, Greaver slotted the ball underneath the Hassocks goalkeeper rather than attempting to go around as he had in the first half.
Getting the ball out wide looked like being the best route to pulling a goal back for Hassocks after that. Stephenson earned a free kick which Frankland delivered onto the head of Tighe.
Poole looked worried but the ball was inches too high. Tighe’s mission to score his first Hassocks goal before his impeding 200th appearance for the club goes on.
As the Robins began to throw more and more bodies forward in the closing stages, Bedfont found a lot of space to take off into on the counter.
Myers almost made it three with an angled drive blocked by a strong arm from Trigwell. From the resulting corner, Stefan Langley went under the radar to meet Eatwell’s corner with a free header narrowly off target.
One last chance came the way of Hassocks when a long ball over the top from Matt Gunn sought out Liam Benson, only for Poole to come soaring confidently from his line to clear the danger.
Hassocks: Fraser Trigwell; Harvey Blake, Bradley Tighe, Matt Gunn, Joe Bull; Tom Frankland, Jamie Wilkes, Mike Williamson, Sean Stephenson; Alex Fair, Liam Benson.
Subs: Pat Harding (Frankland 65), Josh Mundy (Tighe 65), Sam Smith (Bull 86), Alfie Loversidge, Micael Fatela (unused).
