Ruthless Robins outmuscle Musselmen to move third in the table
Middle Road has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for Hassocks, meaning Robins supporters were understandably delighted with this 4-1 win over Shoreham.
It made it three victories in a row for Mickey Jewell’s side and lifted them into third in the Sussex County League Division One standings.
Quite a few teams below Hassocks in the standings admittedly have a lot of games in hand, but regardless the Robins are now in with a real shot of at least equalling their best ever finish of sixth set in 2006-07 under Dave John.
Spencer Slaughter scored twice, moving onto 17 for the season in the process. A phenomenal effort from the midfielder who is sure to have suitors from higher up the pyramid this summer.
Dan Smith and substitute Kieran O’Callaghan were the other scorers. O’Callaghan was an enforced change on the stroke of half time after Phil Gault left proceedings injured, the only downer on an otherwise excellent evening on the south coast.
This Shoreham side are a shadow of the teams who have gone before them in recent years and their attitude towards the officials did not help their cause.
Referee James Slaney did not have the best of games. But if the Musselmen needed someone to blame for the manner of this defeat, they would be better off looking at their own high and wayward defensive line.
Shoreham were determined to play an offside trap even though it was evident from the first 10 minutes this was not the best idea.
Their back four was unable to stay in a straight line and Dan Smith was consistently able to use his pace to break clear, particularly in the first half.
The Musselmen had the first chance of the game when Matt Carruthers had to block from the lively Charlie Walker. After that though, it was all Hassocks.
Smith first galloped away for the opening goal on 11 minutes. A huge clearance up field from Jack Simpson sailed over the heads of the Shoreham defence and Smith advanced, finishing neatly past Musselmen goalkeeper Steve Allfrey.
It would be a busy evening for Allfrey. He produced an excellent save low down to deny Smith when the striker next darted into the box.
Slaughter then got his first sight of goal when played in by Smith, only to put a shot too close to Allfrey.
At the other end, Ashley Marsh lost possession to Walker, whose shot was screwed wide of the far post.
Dan Jordan blocked from Smith before the lead was doubled on 30 minutes. Smith was the architect after more excellent work in breaking the offside trap to collect an Elliott Butler through pass. Smith squared to Slaughter, left with the simple task of tapping home from 15 yards.
Walker pulled one back four minutes before the break with a wonderful goal, latching onto a throw and unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner which gave Simpson no chance.
Shoreham were probably hoping the withdrawal of the talismanic Gault with an ankle problem after a heavy Graham Martin challenge might work in their favour.
It was though O’Callaghan who made the game safe on 66 minutes, ironically on his return from an ankle injury of his own.
Anthony Hibbert drilled in a free kick from the left and O’Callaghan stooped low to guide his header into the corner for 3-1.
The Musselmen had briefly threatened at the start of the second half. Simpson, however, was not really troubled, dealing comfortably with a few crosses and one save low down from Walker.
Shoreham frustration was evidently growing before O’Callaghan netted. Three home players were booked in quick succession, including ex- Hassocks midfielder Terry Gacias.
Lee Waterhouse also went into the book for a foul although he channelled his anger in the right way, instantly setting up Smith for a header wide after Allfrey hesitated.
The fourth and final Hassocks goal came five minutes after O’Callaghan struck. Hibbert robbed his former teammate Gacias and played a perfect pass into Slaughter, who opened up his body to curl beyond Allfrey.
Hassocks: Jack Simpson; James Westlake, Ashley Marsh, Matt Carruthers, Andy Whittingham; Lee Waterhouse, Anthony Hibbert, Phil Gault, Spencer Slaughter, Elliott Butler; Dan Smith.
Subs: Kieran O’Callaghan (Gault 44), Dan Barnard (Smith 75), Jamie Weston (Waterhouse 67) Dean Smith (unused).
Starman: Dan Smith, tormented Shoreham for the whole 75 minutes he was on the pitch.
