ROBINS 15 MINUTE REVIVAL SNUBS OUT ASH IN FA VASE
Three goals in 15 minutes early in the second half gave Hassocks a superb 3-1 FA Vase victory over Combined Counties outfit Ash United at the Beacon.
The Robins trailed to an early Matt Short strike but goals from Matt Simpson, Richard Thompson and James Laing turned the tie on its head to set up a trip to Godalming Town in the first round proper of the competition.
Ash brought a large travelling contingent with them and they made themselves heard, relentlessly chanting “Ash United” and spelling out their club’s name for the entire 90 minutes.
The noise you normally get from the Beacon faithful is more akin to an afternoon at the cricket. But even the home support were moved to singing in an attempt to drown out the monotonous tone of the visitors.
Hassocks should have taken the lead before the Ash support had even warmed up their vocal chords. Straight from kick off and a Simpson flick put Mickey Turner in one-on-one, only for the evergreen right wing back to shoot directly at Danny Gowler.
Ash dominated the next 20 minutes, taking the lead after 13. Mike Smith got to the by-line and laid back to the edge of the box where Short arrived to slam home from 25 yards.
The Robins were unable to string more than two passes together during that opening spell in which Ash really should have extended their advantage.
Smith went close, as did Nathan Tapley. Hassocks finally managed another opportunity in response when Pat Harding shot just wide.
Ash became increasingly physical as the half wore on and Smith and Short could consider themselves fortunate to escape bookings.
The Robins are hardly known for getting involved in such battles, yet bizarrely Ash resorting to rough treatment seemed to fire Hassocks up.
Simpson wriggled free in the box for a shot parried behind by Gowler. The resulting corner was met by a Stuart Faith header just over.
Harding came close to levelling the tie on the stroke of half time with a long range effort requiring Gowler to go full stretch to tip over the bar.
The Robins were starting to come on strong and Ash were undoubtedly happy to hear the half time whistle.
Any hopes that the break would check Hassocks’ momentum though were soon dashed as within two minutes of the restart, the Robins were level.
Captain Chris Hewitt sent a long free kick forward. Laing headed it out to Simpson and his sweetly struck left foot volley beat Gowler from 18 yards.
Another two minutes later and Hassocks led. Exactly the same combination created the opportunity, a Hewitt free kick headed on by Laing.
This time, the ball found its way to the left flank where Thompson volleyed home a rare goal; just his fifth in over 150 senior appearances.
Thompson looked as surprised as anyone to have found the back of the net, a welcome strike from the quiet and unassuming wing back.
Anthony Hibbert and Simpson were now starting to dominate midfield, helped by the relentless Chris Brown in the holding role who did not waste a pass or tackle all afternoon.
The third goal arrived on 62 minutes. Turner found himself with a lot of time and space on the right and his cross was hammered home by the right boot of Laing for his first of the season.
Laing went close to adding another not long after and Gowler denied the outstanding Turner. At the other end, the Ash attack who looked so threatening in the first half offered little as they were superbly nullified by Hewitt, Faith and young Ashley Marsh.
The visitors were out of ideas with 15 minutes to go, unlike their supporters who made sure everyone in Hassocks knew Ash is spelt A-S-H before retiring to the bar at the full time whistle and putting a welcome amount of money behind it.
So much so that it was hard to know whether Dave John was more pleased by his team’s performance or the Clubhouse takings afterwards.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Mickey Turner, Stuart Faith, Chris Hewitt, Ashley Marsh, Richard Thompson; Matt Simpson, Chris Brown, Anthony Hibbert; James Laing, Pat Harding.
Subs: Graham Beveridge (Thompson 61), Matt Robbins, Joe Fernley, Kieron Leahy, Phil Wickwar (unused).
Starman: Chris Brown was outstanding and disciplined in the holding role although Mickey Turner was close with a fine attacking display at wing back.
