Robins score seven to make long trip to Pagham in the rain worthwhile
Hassocks Ladies continued their excellent start to the season with a comprehensive 7-1 Sussex County Women’s League Premier Division victory away against Pagham.
The game was only able to go ahead in awful conditions thanks to Pagham finding an available 3G pitch at the Arena Sports Centre.
Hassocks started the match slowly with Pagham initially on the front foot. Claire Stevens had to make an early intervention, volleying clear in the seventh minute following a long throw.
The Robins responded to that moment quickly with Kirsten Mair having a shot put behind for a corner after a great turn.
It was from another corner that Hassocks took the lead with 14 minutes played. Katherine Chappell won it and the ball was subsequently delivered by Mair into a dangerous area for Chappell to head home.
Four minutes later and the lead was extended in identical circumstances, another pinpoint corner by Mair once again headed in by Chappell.
Hassocks were now into their stride and demonstrating some lovely passing movements. Pagham though were able to force a couple of attacks which needed Robins goalkeeper Sarah Chappell to be alert. Chappell first had to be out quickly to gather a through ball and then block an attempt on goal.
Hassocks continued to dominate overall, however. Mair shot narrowly over and then a superb through ball from Jo Brown enabled Mair to cross with a Chappell attempt being saved. Jodie Johanson was involved next, playing in Chappell who found Mair, enabling her to shoot just wide.
The third Hassocks goal arrived in the 39th minute. Defender Emma Flin started the move, venturing forward and finding Johanson. Johanson crossed for Mair who was left with a simple tap in to get onto the scoresheet.
Pagham managed to reduce the deficit in the 41st minute with an expertly taken direct free kick from Gemma Yates into the top corner giving Sarah Chappell no chance.
The Robins bounced back superbly, immediately restoring their three goal advantage. A pass and turn from Mia Pordage found Chappell who applied the finish to wrap up her fifth hat-trick in six matches so far this season as Hassocks went into the break 4-1 ahead.
Hassocks started the second half continuing where they had left off by going straight on the front foot. A 25 yard shot by Jess Craig went close and Johanson had an effort saved.
Good pressure from Mair resulted in the award of a corner which Claire Stevens headed home to put Hassocks 5-1 ahead.
The Robins introduced substitute Katie Read into midfield at that point, pushing Pordage further forward. Read was immediately into the action with a quickly taken throw leading to another Chappell effort which needed to be saved.
Holly Webb was involved twice in quick succession in the 59th minute, firstly winning an important tackle and then finding Craig who crossed for Tallie Bright to calmly slot him the sixth. Bright’s goal was a deserved reward for being very lively up and down the pitch all afternoon.
Pordage then went close to adding a seventh. That was followed by a well delivered free kick from Flin being collected by Pordage again, who turned well but shot wide.
Hassocks continued to press in the latter stages. Bright had another effort just wide before Pagham briefly threatened. Stevens needed to head away a dangerous looking corner and Webb had to cover a quick breakaway.
The Robins soon got back on top, adding their seventh goal to round off the scoring. Bright got it to complete her brace, rounding off a passing move which she earlier started.
Sarah Chappell had to make one final excellent save late on from a high Pagham shot to prevent the hosts adding a second.
With a final score of 7-1, the performance again showed the Hassocks players at their best. The midfielders and forwards always looked dangerous and there were many excellent passing moves.
Brown showed great energy on the left and the central defence of Flin and Stevens gave Pagham few sights of goal.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Claire Stevens, Jo Brown, Kirsten Mair, Emma Flin, Tallie Bright, Holly Webb, Jess Craig, Mia Pordage, Jodie Johanson, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Katie Read (used).
