FIVE STAR ROBINS GET CUP DEFENCE UP AND RUNNING
Hassocks Ladies got their defence of the South East Counties Women’s League Cup off to the perfect start with a comfortable 5-0 victory against Cray Valley.
The visitors arrived at the Beacon with only nine players and just one win from five games so far in their Division One East campaign.
Hassocks in contrast are yet to drop a point in the league and have serious designs on retaining the trophy they won by defeating Worthing 3-1 in a thrilling final at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium back in April.
Robins boss Martin Lee changed from his normal formation in favour of a 3-5-2 and the move had the desired effect as Hassocks dominated possession from the start with the back three of Emma Young, Claire Stevens and skipper Sam Newman rarely troubled.
Hassocks laid seige to the Cray goal from the first whistle. Both Billie Philpott and Katherine Chappell hit the bar inside the first 20 minutes, Chappell also put one after a great pass from Liz King, Gemma Craig saw a goal bound effort blocked and Newman found Kelly Rushworth whose turn and snap shot was just wide.
It was Philpott who opened the scoring in what could be a big week for the Hassocks striker. She’s been called in to the Sussex Rep Squad for Wednesday night’s Southern Counties Cup game against Kent and she’ll report for county duty with a goal under her belt, firing a low shot past the Cray goalkeeper after being teed up by Chappell.
With Cray determined to use their nine players to clog the middle, it left Tallie Bright out on the right with plenty of space and she put it to good use by delivering several crosses, one of which involved a flowing move through Rushworth and Kirsten Mair which ended with Gemma Craig just unable to apply the finishing touch.
Hassocks goalkeeper Sarah Chappell had a rare touch of the ball when gathering a through pass and on 31 minutes the Robins doubled their advantage when Rushworth won and converted a penalty after a clumsy challenge in the box.
There were several opportunities for the Robins to increase their lead before the break, but Mair shot over and both Chappell and Philpott were denied by excellent stops from the Cray goalkeeper.
Lee made a changes at the break and his substitute Jodie Johansson ]had an instant impact on the game by notching Hassocks’ third within three minutes of the restart.
Philpott was the architect as her through ball released the newcomer who made no mistake to calmly slot home. Seven minutes later and it was 4-0, Chappell embarking on a mazy run through the Cray defence which ended with her shot cannoning in via the crossbar.
The Robins then made it three goals in the space of the first 12 minutes of the second half, Johansson turning provider as her low cross found Mair who beat the goalkeeper.
Banna Hannes replaced Philpott after that blitz and the goals dried up after that with Cray even managing to briefly threaten at the other end, firing their first shot of the game wide and then earning a first corner after a last ditch tackle from Stevens.
The visitors rally didn’t last long and in the final 10 minutes there were opportunities for Craig, Hannes and Stevens who were all denied by the goalkeeper while at the other end, Chappell made her first meaningful save in injury time from a well struck free kick.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Emma Young, Sam Newman, Liz King, Claire Stevens, Gemma Craig, Tallie Bright, Katherine Chappell, Billie Philpott, Kelly Rushworth, Kristen Mair.
Subs: Jodie Johansson, Banna Hannes.
