Title winning Robins sign off in style with big win at Bognor
Despite clinching the Sussex County Women’s League title in their penultimate game of the season, Hassocks Ladies did not ease up for their final match and produced a dominating performance to win 8-3 away at runners up Bognor Regis Town.
The Robins started the game on the front foot, applying a lot of early pressure. Emily Spooner had a shot saved and Kirsten Mair curled an effort narrowly wide.
On 17 minute, an excellent piece of skill from Jodie Johanson created a chance for Katherine Chappell which had to be cleared off the line by a Bognor defender.
From the resultant corner, Spooner expertly delivered and Hassocks captain Claire Stevens was on hand to put her side into the lead.
Seven minutes later and the Robins increased their advantage when Jess Craig found Chappell, whose mazy dribble enabled her to move into enough space to score.
The third Hassocks goal arrived on the half hour mark. Johanson won the ball in midfield and put Spooner through.
There was no mistake from the one-on-one as Spooner continued her excellent form since joining the Robins from Burgess Hill Town.
Chappell had another effort wide before Bognor responded. A shot was well blocked by Jo Brown, only for the ball to rebound to the home forward who hit a clinical finish on the turn to beat Sarah Chappell.
Hassocks managed to restore their three goal lead just before the break. Tallie Bright crossed and Chappell applied the finishing touch for her second and the Robins’ fourth of the afternoon.
Bognor began the second half strongly after Bright had fired narrowly over the bar for Hassocks. A combination of goalkeeper Chappell and defender Katie Read prevented the Rocks from pulling another back.
The reprieve was short lived, however, as Bognor managed to make the score 4-2 on 50 minutes. Spooner had a shot blocked but the Rocks had their tails up now and a dangerous corner needed to be headed away by Stevens.
It was end-to-end stuff now. Spooner took a direct free kick which bounced off the Bognor bar on 58 minutes and Chappell had to rush from her box to kick clear as the hosts looked to break.
Hassocks saw their lead cut down to one on 62 minutes when Bognor scored their third with arguably the goal of the game. A sweeping passing move involving several players cut through the Robins as the score became 4-3.
Despite the hosts rallying, Hassocks did not panic. They kept playing some excellent football and as Mia Pordage and Mair in midfield began to dominate, got back on top to take the game away from Bognor.
A Mair corner on 66 minutes was headed down by Read, sparking a goalmouth scramble. Stevens eventually poked home for her second to put Hassocks 5-3 ahead.
The Robins stepped up another gear after that to finish off the final 15 minutes of their season in style. Bright had shown tireless energy on the left and in the 74th minute, produced a great tackle and run followed by a perfectly times pass for Chappell to apply the finish.
Two minutes later and Chappell won possession herself and scored the seventh, completing her hat-trick with the score now 7-3 to Hassocks.
Spooner had the ball in the net again but was correctly flagged offside before she crossed from the left for Mair to hammer home the eighth.
There were still 10 minutes remaining at this point. The Robins though were unable to increase their margin of victory, coming closest through substitute Holly Webb.
This victory over the second placed team in the Premier Division summed up the brilliant season Hassocks have enjoyed. Despite numerous disruptions, the Robins were crowned champions by nine points and every one of the players can be proud of their efforts.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Jo Brown, Claire Stevens, Katie Read, Jodie Johanson, Mia Pordage, Kirsten Mair, Jess Craig, Tallie Bright, Emily Spooner, Kirsten Mair.
Subs: Holly Webb (used).
Bedlam Brewery Star Player: Tallie Bright.
