Hassocks see two-goal lead slip to be beaten by Bexhill
After their brave effort against Eastbourne United with only nine players last week, Hassocks Ladies were back to having a reasonably full strength side at home to Bexhill United in bitterly cold weather.
Unfortunately though, the result went against the Robins at the Beacon as they fell to a close-fought 3-2 defeat in a game which they had led 2-0.
Hassocks started well with a positive run from Katherine Chappell before taking the lead with eight minutes played.
Chappell was again involved, some clever play enabling Emily Spooner to get a shot away. Although Spooner’s initial effort was blocked, she reacted quickest to rifle the ball into the back of the net.
Bexhill responded to falling behind by going straight on the attack and Claire Stevens needed to be quick to cover a dangerous looking break.
Mandy Morgan then got into the action for the Robins with an excellent through ball which the United goalkeeper was quick off her line to cut out.
The 17th minute saw Lola Moon have an effort saved. As the game continued to ebb and flow, Katie Read and Tallie Bright both showed their defensive qualities in the face of dangerous looking attacks.
Sarah Chappell was then forced into her first save of the afternoon, doing superbly to divert a fierce 22nd minute shot onto the post with one hand.
Bexhill continued to push. Stevens again had to defend well and a combination of Brown and Read thwarted further attacks from the visitors.
The Hassocks goal was starting to live something of a charmed life. Chappell made another excellent save, flying high to divert a ball heading for the top corner away from goal. Once again, Read then showed great anticipation to cut out and clear another through ball.
The Robins’ hard working defensive efforts were rewarded when they increased their lead just before half time with a second goal.
United tried playing a short goal kick out from the back which the alert Mia Pordage pounced on. Pordage fired home to send Hassocks into the break 2-0 ahead.
The Robins made two changes at the start of the second half with Emma Flin and Jodie Johanson replacing Brown and Morgan.
Unfortunately, Bexhill reduced the lead within a few minutes of the restart. Laura Swarbrooke hit a clean free kick from distance which gave Chappell no chances as it found the top corner.
Stevens did more good work at the back when winning an important header clear before Kirstin Mair got into the action.
A powerful run forward from Mair ended with a cross blocked for a corner. Mair herself sent a dangerous delivery into the box which the United goalkeeper did really well to claim under a lot of pressure.
Hassocks had a good chance to increase their lead in the 68th minute. An excellent run and cross from Lola Moon was met by Spooner but again the Bexhill goalkeeper showed her quality with a superb reaction stop.
The importance of that save was realised 10 minutes later when United equalised. Stevens headed away a Bexhill corner.
This clearance was met by a follow up shot from the edge of the box by Poppy Harrod which defied Chappell to level the scores at 2-2.
It was from another corner that Bexhill found the winner with just seven minutes left to play. In the middle of a goalmouth scramble which the Robins were unable to clear, Harrod managed to bundle home to make it 3-2 to United.
Hassocks to their credit did not give up despite the setback. The Robins poured forward in the short time which remained, leading to the Bexhill bench relentlessly encouraging the referee to blow for full time.
When the whistle did eventually come, this defeat was one which was hard to take for Hassocks having had a two-goal lead.
The players though generally performed well and need to keep their morale up for the next game. Stevens was chosen as the manager’s player of the match, the skipper having led by example at the back.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Tallie Bright, Katie Read, Claire Stevens, Jo Brown, Mandy Morgan, Kirstin Mair, Lola Moon, Mia Pordage, Katherine Chappell, Emily Spooner.
Subs: Emma Flin, Jodie Johanson (used).
