Hornets subs sting Hassocks in Sussex Women’s Trophy exit
There will be no cup run in the Sussex Women’s Challenge Trophy this season after Hassocks Ladies were eliminated from the first round of the competition.
Fellow Sussex County Women’s League Premier Division side Horsham were 2-1 winners at the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground to set up a trip to Barnham Trojans in round two.
The Robins won this competition back in 2018-19 and although most of that successful team stayed together until recently, it is a new-look Hassocks side for the current campaign with lots of young players introduced to adult football for the first time.
As such, results are expected to be inconsistent. Having impressed by beating Horsham Sparrows 5-2 in their league opener last week, the Robins knew opponents from the other side of Horsham would provide a sterner test.
Hassocks could therefore be pleased with their efforts in pushing all the way a team who thrashed Pagham 4-1 seven days ago in their first Premier Division fixture.
Naming a virtually unchanged starting XI was a rarity for the Robins last season. Greater stability is one thing Hassocks needed this season, so to see only one change from the previous Sunday was another big positive. Mia Pordage came into the side, replacing the absent Jess Craig.
And on the theme of young, new players coming through, there were debuts for all of Lilly Lopez, Layla Robson and Poppy Snelling from the bench. Being able to field and use four substitutes is another luxury the Robins rarely enjoyed in 2023-24.
It was arguably the strength and experience of Horsham’s own bench which decided the tie as both their goals came from replacements.
Grace Jeffey and Yaz Wiliams provided the win for the Hornets with close range finishes from crossed into the box after some enterprising play down the right flank in the second half.
Katherine Chappell netted for Hassocks – and the Robins had plenty of opportunities to rack up more than just the one.
But they came up against an inspired goalkeeper in Ellie Chapman, whose showing was so good as to be voted Hornets Players’ Player of the Match by her teammates.
On another day and against a custodian less talented than Chapman, Hassocks might well have come away with victory.
The Robins are without a game next Sunday as it as Adobe Women’s FA Cup weekend, their next action coming on Sunday 29th September when hosting early Premier Division leaders Eastbourne Borough in a 2pm kick off.
Hassocks: Ellie Moquet, Claire Stevens, Elsa Cutlack, Katie Read, Emma Flin, Tallie Bright, Milly Dalgleish, Mia Pordage, Kirsten Mair, Sofia Harding, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Jodie Johanson, Poppy Snelling, Lilly Lopez, Layla Robson (used).
