GAULT DOUBLE SETTLES HEATED ENCOUNTER AGAINST RILED UP RYE IN HASSOCKS FAVOUR
Tensions boiled over in a tempestuous match between Hassocks and Rye United in which the Robins took advantage of the visitors’ ill-discipline to pick up an excellent 2-1 victory.
Rye were the better side overall but as has so often been the case in the past, their overly physical approach proved their downfall and failed to win them any friends at the Beacon.
Spats broke out at regular intervals which left an unsavoury taste in the mouth and there were three far more serious confrontations spread across the afternoon.
The first saw Hassocks coach Roy Staughton and Rye assistant manager Marc Gall get into a heated exchange on the touchline.
There was then an almighty ruckus in the tunnel at half time. It left a Robins official with a badly bruised leg as he attempted to keep players apart during the disorder.
Rye were already down to 10 men by that point. Ryan Alexander picked up a booking early on before wiping out Dan Smith as the big Hassocks forward went clean through on goal just before the break.
Referee Jacob Miles had no choice but to send Alexander off for the professional foul, giving the United defender an unusual achievement of a yellow card and straight red in the same game.
Experienced Rye captain Andy Atkin also entered the book in the first 15 minutes for a terrible late challenge on Jack Simpson.
Simpson’s hand had swelled up enough by the interval to mean he was unable to continue. It was a disappointing end to the popular Hassocks number one’s last game for some time as he heads off travelling around the world.
Mickey Jewell at least had Woking and Sussex Under 18s goalkeeper Alex Harris on the bench. Harris kept a second half clean sheet after replacing Simpson and now has a chance to claim a regular place.
Two more Rye players were booked along with Ashley Marsh for the hosts. In truth, Mr Miles could have flashed more cards but he initially attempted to try and keep order with firm words rather than resorting to his pocket.
Phil Gault struck a superb curling free kick to put Hassocks ahead on 33 minutes. The lead was short lived, however, as Rye levelled only two minutes later.
Mr Miles somewhat harshly penalised Marsh for a challenge on Atkin. The resulting free kick was struck with such venom by Liam Upton that even though Simpson got his uninjured hand to it, no blame could be attached for not keeping it out.
Gault converted the penalty won by Smith leading to Alexander’s dismissal, putting Hassocks 2-1 ahead on 43.
Smith was available to the Robins again as Lewes were without a fixture. His presence provided a timely boost to Jewell’s attacking options on a day when Nathan Miles, Jamie Hillwood and Phil Johnson were all absent.
Through the early part of the second half, it was not readily apparent that Rye were playing shorthanded. The visitors created some good chances and looked particularly menacing from set pieces.
Hassocks though did well to stand up to the battle with Marsh and fellow centre back Nick Pitcher superb in particular.
And as the game wore on and became more stretched, the Robins fashioned some good breaks which could have put the result to bed.
Hassocks almost paid for not making the most of those chances when United substitute Evan Archibald went clean through in the final minute of stoppage time, only to be denied by the inside of the post.
The full time whistle brought the third and final serious confrontation, this time when a Rye player lost it with a home fan and had to be restrained by his teammates.
There were at least some handshakes between the players after that, although both clubs will be expecting to hear from the Sussex FA once Mr Miles submits his report.
Hassocks: Jack Simpson; Rob South, Ashley Marsh, Nick Pitcher, Chris Maynard; Craig Knowles, Anthony Hibbert, Mark Price, Dan Jacques; Phil Gault, Dan Smith.
Subs: Alex Harris (Simpson 45), Lee Cooper (Price 45), Jamie Ingham (Jacques 75).
Starman: Ashely Marsh and Nick Pitcher stood up to everything a physical Rye side could throw at them.
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