JONNO’S LATE LEVELLER GIVES NEW ROBINS BOSSES A POINT TO START
It was a busy Tuesday for Hassocks. The Robins lost a manager but gained a point from a superb 3-3 draw away at Horsham YMCA.
Dave John announced his decision to step down from the hotseat due to health reasons with assistant Mark Dagleish and former reserve team boss Phil Wickwar taking over the reigns.
And they saw their new charges battle to a first point in four matches, twice coming from behind in a thoroughly entertaining encounter at Gorings Mead.
Dalgleish and Wickwar’s objective between now and the end of the season is pull Hassocks clear of the relegation zone and maintain the club’s cherished and long-held County League Division One status. More results and performances like this will certainly help.
The Robins came flying out of the blocks and could have taken the lead inside the first minute. Phil Johnson led an attack straight from kick off, his searing pace luring a YM defender into a foul and earning Hassocks a free kick.
Said free kick was delivered into the box, where it found Johnson in time and space. Unfortunately for the forward, he miss-controlled and the ball rolled harmlessly through to YM goalkeeper Mark Fox.
That early foul proved a precursor to a moment of madness from Dave Brown with only 10 minutes on the clock.
A typically robust tackle from Mark Price caused red mist to descend and Brown kicked out right in front of referee Daniel Jefferey. Mr Jeffrey will not have an easier red card decision to make this season.
The dismissal caused all manner of confusion in the YM ranks. Whilst home boss Peter Buckland attempted to reorganise, Hassocks took full advantage by moving into the lead.
Johnson ran clear, rounded Fox and squared to Tom Davess arriving in the area from the left flank for the simplest of tap ins.
Despite their man advantage, the Robins were happy to keep a compact shape and invite YM to attack. Hassocks then looked to take advantage of the extra space afforded by the home side’s man disadvantage by using Johnson’s searing pace on the counter.
It was an approach which served them well until a momentary lapse in concentration just before half time allowed YM to equalise.
No prizes for guessing the identity of the scorer. Anthony Hibbert was facing Hassocks for the first time after leaving the Beacon earlier in the season having come through the youth ranks to make over 400 appearances and score more than 100 times for the Robins.
Not many of his century plus of Hassocks goals were headers. That was his route onto the scoresheet here though, heading home a cross after the Robins defence were caught napping from a quick throw.
Hassocks again proved their own worst enemy when YM took the lead on the hour mark. The Robins surrendered possession far too easily, allowing prolific marksman Nick Sullivan to get in on goal.
George Willett got a hand to Sullivan’s shot but it proved too powerful for the Hassocks goalkeeper to keep out.
With nothing to now defend, the Robins changed tact and went on the attack. It did not take long for Johnson to earn another free kick in a dangerous position.
Davess delivered and captain Ashley Marsh rose highest to score a rare goal – just his fourth in a decade as a first team player.
The travelling support thought that might give their side the impetus to go on and win the game. But the scores were level for only five minutes.
Willett made a smart save from a free header allowed by slack Hassocks marking, only to see Dan Sullivan react quickest to tuck home the rebound.
That could have seen Robins heads drop. Instead, they kept plugging away to conjure up a deserved 87th minute equaliser.
Some patient, neat approach play around the edge of the box eventually led to Johnson firing away a shot on the turn for the goal his performance more than merited.
Hassocks: George Willett; Bradley Tighe, Ashley Marsh, Nick Pitcher, Dan Jacques; Mark Price, Bradley Bant, Ryan Collins, Tom Davess; Phil Johnson.
Subs: Rowan Wallis, Ellis Common, Jake Booth (used), Phil Wickwar (unused).
