DETERMINED ROBINS FRUSTRATE TOWN TO EARN EXCELLENT SAFFRONS POINT
The wait for a first away win of the season goes on for Hassocks but Dave John cut a much happier figure than on recent travels as his side claimed an excellent point from Eastbourne Town.
Adam Davidson struck early to give the hosts the lead with the Robins battling back to earn a 1-1 draw and what was only their third point on the road thanks to a second half Pat Harding penalty.
Town combine a potent mix of footballing ability and physicality. Whilst Hassocks struggled to match their hosts technically at times, they took the fight to Town and refused to give an inch in a resilient defensive display.
On a good playing surface at the Saffrons, Town knocked the ball around with ease in the first half to leave Hassocks struggling to hang onto their coattails.
Davidson opened the scoring with just 12 minutes on the clock, although how much he knew about the goal is up for debate.
A cross came into the near post where Davidson was stationed, the ball hitting him by chance more than design and diverting past the surprised and flat footed Joel Harding.
Richard Thompson volleyed over a first Hassocks chance on 18 minutes, after which the remainder of the half became a war of attrition in midfield.
Importantly for the Robins, their three of Ian Dawson, Graham Beveridge and Matt Robbins proved equal to Town’s central players and that ensured Hassocks were firmly in the game come half time.
They were, however, dealt a blow two minutes before the break when talented young centre half Ashley Marsh limped off injured.
Marsh was the victim of a dreadful tackle from Luke Denton, which if referee Mr Smith had seen clearly merited a red card rather than the yellow which was brandished.
John reported afterwards that Marsh had somehow escaped with only a very badly bruised ankle. It could and looked to have been a lot worse.
Hassocks played out the short time remaining of the first half with only 10 men before changing things up during the interval.
Tom Stripp came on at left wing back with Thompson reverting to an unfamiliar role as part of the three man defence alongside Chris Hewitt and Nick Newman.
Having angered the Robins with his response to the Marsh incident, Mr Smith was in Town’s bad books within two minutes of the restart.
Beveridge fell over in the box in a fashion which was almost comedic in nature and much to the despair of Town, the official awarded what can only described as a very dubious penalty.
The protests against the decision went on some time. Despite the circus, Harding remained calm and sent Russell Tanner the wrong way from the spot to restore parity.
Hassocks came into the game more following Harding’s equaliser and that upped the entertainment as chances came at both ends.
Gary Brockwell headed a good opportunity over and the same player shot wide when well placed. Thompson then headed a Steve King effort off the line and Harding saw a header of his own given the same treatment by Carl Harris.
With the game entering the final 20 minutes, Town were becoming visibly and audibly frustrated at their failure to find a way through.
They thought they had on 72 when Lee Walsh hit a powerful shot which appeared destined for the bottom corner. Harding though proved equal to it, going full stretch down to his left to produce a wonderful diving save.
Tanner had an opportunity to show off his goalkeeping skills next when faced with a trademark 25 yard piledriver from Hewitt.
Initially it looked as though the swerve and dip on the shot was going to do for Tanner, who seemed to be going the wrong way until adjusting at the last possible moment to tip the ball to safety.
Hassocks reverted to manning the trenches again in the final 10 minutes, happy to walk away with a point rather than go for all three and risk leaving with none.
Town threw everything they had at the Robins during that spell but captain Hewitt was having his best game of the season and with Newman and Thompson also excelling, Hassocks held firm.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Ashley Low, Nick Newman, Chris Hewitt, Ashley Marsh, Richard Thompson; Matt Robbins, Graham Beveridge, Ian Dawson; Richard Thomas, Pat Harding.
Subs: Tom Stripp (Marsh 45), James Laing (Thomas 69), Sam Fisk (Robbins 79), Chris Deare, Phil Wickwar (unused).
