Robins show fight and spirit to recover from nightmare start
Hassocks Ladies bowed out of the London & South East Regional League Cup following a 7-1 defeat against Premier Division Ashford United.
The scoreline, however, did not reflect the majority of the game as the Robins showed great spirit after a dreadful start.
Amazingly, Hassocks conceded four goals in the opening eight minutes – and that was despite defender Katie Read and goalkeeper Ellie Moquet making vital blocks.
But after that, the Robins fought back. Emily Spooner scored in the 10th minute with a neat finish as the all-action start showed no sign of slowing.
Hassocks continued to threaten and fashioned more chances. Jodie Johanson saw a shot saved and Spooner was thwarted by a last ditch tackle.
Ashford had not been expecting to be under such pressure and they responded by forcing Moquet into a superb tip over the bar.
Claire Stevens then had to be alert to clear and Moquet sent a huge kick up the pitch which gave Spooner another shot, this time blocked.
Unfortunately, the Robins conceded another goal in the 34th minute when a speculative cross found the top corner.
Just as it looked as if Hassocks would survive without suffering any further damage before half time, Ashford added a sixth on 42 minutes.
There was one further chance for the Robins, Katherine Chappell seeing a shot saved as the first half came to a close with the visitors 6-1 ahead.
Ashford started the second half well with Stevens and Tallie Bright making telling interceptions. Spooner had another effort saved at the beginning of another good spell for Hassocks, brought about by some great midfield battling from Mia Pordage, Kirsten Mair, Chappell and Johanson.
Defender Jo Brown then showed her speed with an excellent piece of defending before being replaced on 62 minutes by Holly Webb.
Moquet made another save and Read blocked a shot for a corner headed clear by Jess Craig, who covered a lot of ground in a tireless display.
A second substitution was made in the 70th minute with Lola Moon replacing Emily Spooner. Johanson had a shot saved but Ashford reasserted themselves and Bright had to concede a corner headed clear by Stevens with Webb blocking the follow-up shot.
Hassocks went back on the attack and Craig shot wide following good work by Johanson. The Robins were again matching their higher division opponents, only for Ashford to show their Premier class by stepping up a gear.
Stevens made two successive blocks before an expertly taken goal made the score 7-1. Hassocks did not give up and continued to press, Mair winning the ball and finding Moon who was unable to get in a shot before being crowded out.
Johanson had one last effort with a great cross which nobody could get on the end of. The match finished with a 7-1 victory for Ashford but after conceding four goals so early, the Hassocks players can be pleased with their response.
Hassocks: Ellie Moquet, Katie Read, Jo Brown, Claire Stevens, Tallie Bright, Jodie Johanson, Jess Craig, Emily Spooner, Kirstin Mair, Mia Pordage, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Lola Moon, Holly Webb (used).
