Defences come out on top in entertaining stalemate between Hassocks and United
Nothing could separate the sides sitting sixth and fifth in the Southern Combination League Premier Division as Hassocks and Eastbourne United played out a 0-0 draw at the Beacon.
That scoreline normally tallies with a boring game of football. This was anything but that, with both sides racking up a series of chances to win it over an entertaining 90 minutes.
A draw though was ultimately the correct result. Hassocks enjoyed the better of the first half whilst United showed why they have spent the entire season in the top five so far by shading the second.
The Robins might have extended their winning run to four consecutive league matches had they been awarded the sixth minute penalty they felt they deserved.
Leon Turner broke through in the first chance of the game, only to be hacked down in the box by Sam Cole. Referee Ryan Calver waved away the appeals.
Next it was an assistant’s flag which denied Hassocks on 12 minutes. Turner played in Johnson who looked to have been onside as he raced clear, only for the linesman to disagree.
United produced their first opportunity with 17 minutes played, an Aaron Capon effort from the edge of the box needing an excellent block from the rangy Jamie Wilkes to prevent it troubling Alex Harris.
Seven minutes later and Johnson and Pat Harding linked up superbly. Harding had a shooting chance but it was too close to James Broadbent, the former Hassocks goalkeeper who has recently joined United having started the season at AFC Uckfield Town.
Turner was giving Ollie Black a real headache down the Robins right flank and it was he who fashioned the final two noteworthy Hassocks chances in the first half.
A run past Black saw Turner slip Johnson away towards the by-line. Johnson’s low cross was blocked for a corner which came to nothing.
That was on 28 minutes. 60 seconds later and Turner was back in possession, shifting inside from his flank and hitting a left footed shot across goal which required a sprawling save from Broadbent.
United threw some aerial balls into the box in the final five minutes before the break, causing Harris to make a good save from a Gary Ingram header.
That set the tone for a second half in which Harris and his back four faced something of a test. Their clean sheet shows that they passed it, recording a third shutout in their past four Premier Division matches.
Alex Bygraves in particular was outstanding. Not only did he have to cope with losing centre back partner Bradley Tighe to the sin bin for 10 minutes midway through the second half, but he was playing just a couple of days after he and wife Natalie welcomed twins into the world.
There were two half chances for Hassocks within five minutes of the restart but after that it was largely United. Harris made an excellent save when tipping over a Capon effort from close range on 54 minutes. Just past the hour mark and the Robins sought to turn the tide, replacing Harding with Liam Benson.
Going down to 10 men within six minutes of Benson’s introduction did not really help the forward’s attempts to influence the game, although the sin bin should perhaps not have come as a surprise – Mr Calver also sent Tighe for time on the sidelines away at Horsham YMCA last season.
Harris produced another strong stop following a free kick in what was the only real chance United mustered whilst Hassocks were playing shorthanded as the Robins manned the trenches.
Tighe’s return to the field meant Hassocks were happier to try and find a winner playing 11 v 11 and that opened the game up for the final 10 minutes.
United substitute Arron Hopkinson had a big chance brilliantly deflected over the bar by that man Bygraves with 86 minutes played.
From the resulting corner, the Robins were able to break and earn a free kick in a dangerous area. Unfortunately, a poor delivery meant the situation was wasted.
United subsequently launched a counter of their own, ended by Harvey Blake taking one for the team by wiping out Mason Creese to concede a necessary foul and enter Mr Calver’s book.
One half-chance fell to either side in injury time, United forcing a decent opportunity scrambled away from a corner before Hassocks earned another free kick with seconds left to play which again came to nothing.
Hassocks: Alex Harris; Harvey Blake, Bradley Tighe, Alex Bygraves, Joe Bull; Leon Turner, Mike Williamson, Jamie Wilkes, Jack Troak; Phil Johnson, Pat Harding.
Subs: Liam Benson (Harding 63), Sam Cash, Danny Reid, Will Broomfield, Sam Rogers (unused).
Bedlam Brewery Starman: Alex Bygraves.
