Clinical Herne Bay take their chances to inflict defeat on Robins
In a very close fought match which could have gone either way, Hassocks Ladies suffered a 2-0 defeat to a clinical Herne Bay side.
The Robins started with some early pressure but it was not long before home goalkeeper Ellie Moquet was called into action with a good diving save.
Herne Bay then forced a corner headed clear by Katie Read before taking an 11th minute lead. A long ball forward found Daisy Marsh who calmly slotted the ball beyond Moquet.
Hassocks responded well to falling behind and Katherine Chappell was fouled in a dangerous position. The visiting defence had to be alert to clear the danger from the resulting free kick.
Mia Pordage fired a long range effort just over the bar and Hassocks forced another corner delivered by Emily Spooner.
A goal mouth scramble followed but the Robins were unable to force the ball home. Herne Bay then broke clear and it took a good covering tackle by Read to avert the danger.
The 21st minute saw Pordage play a superb pass to Spooner whose shot was narrowly wide. Hassocks were now starting to get on top, although they were grateful for a big let off at the other end when Herne Bay hit the bar when it looked easier to score.
A change was forced upon the Robins with 25 minutes played. Emma Flin succumbed to an injury she had been nursing to be replaced by Lola Moon. The substitution saw Read move to centre half and Tallie Bright dropping into right back.
Moon was immediately into the action with a cross which the keeper gathered and Spooner had another effort saved by the keeper.
Herne Bay then had a good spell, firstly with a corner headed away by Claire Stevens and then another cross headed away by Read.
Hassocks made another change six minutes before the break, Jess Gray taking over from Emily Spooner. There was still time for the Robins to muster one final first half effort, a Moon shot being saved by the Herne Bay goalkeeper.
Spooner returned to the action for the second half, which Hassocks started well. A through ball by Pordage was just too hard and a Chappell pass found Spooner whose shot was wide.
Herne Bay responded and Stevens had to head clear as the visitors came forward. Moquet then made a good save at the near post following a flowing move from the visitors.
A Spooner shot was blocked with a follow up lob by Kirsten Mair just too high. Mair then played a great pass finding Moon, whose shot was well saved by the keeper.
It was something of a sucker punch when Herne Bay increased their lead on 73 minutes with a clinical second goal.
Marsh was again the scorer, completing her brace and giving the Robins an uphill task in the final quarter hour.
Hassocks would have fallen three behind were it not for a superb diving save at the feet of an onrushing Herne Bay forward.
There was a lengthy eight minute delay in the 78th minute when Claire Stevens received a head injury, resulting in a nose bleed which took some time to stem. Fortunately, Stevens was okay and able to play out the remainder of the match.
Hassocks continued to battle well up to the end but were unable to find a way through. The 2-0 defeat was disappointing because the sides were fairly evenly matched, the difference being that Herne Bay took their chances clinically.
Hassocks: Ellie Moquet, Katie Read, Emma Flin, Claire Stevens, Jo Brown, Mia Pordage, Jess Craig, Emily Spooner, Tallie Bright, Lola Moon, Kirstin Mair, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Jess Gray, Lola Moon (used).
Silver Rocket Brewing Star Player: Tallie Bright.
