Maynard spot on to move Hassocks past Musselmen under the Friday night lights
For the second Beacon game in succession, Hassocks were far from convincing in running out 1-0 winners.
But perhaps what this Friday night success at home to Shoreham underlines is that the Robins are becoming a more complete, streetwise team under Mickey Jewell.
With one eye on the Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup semi final against Selsey in four days time, Hassocks gave just enough to see off the Musselmen without hitting top gear.
That meant three precious points were earned in the quest for a first ever County League Division One top five finish.
At the same time, the Robins avoided overexertion and injury ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash with the Blues at Culver Road.
Hassocks have never made it to a senior cup final in their 110-year history and they have not had a better chance than the one awaiting them against opponents they have already beaten 3-1 and 5-2 this season.
A third consecutive 1-0 victory following on from this win against Shoreham and Saturday’s success over Sidley United would be more than acceptable facing Selsey, although Jewell will be sweating on the availability of Phil Gault.
The Robins’ talisman was absent here with a bad illness. Gault’s place up front was taken by Rob Boddy, facing his former club.
Boddy though will be cup tied for the semi final having played in a previous round of the RUR Cup for Shoreham.
Hassocks will be hoping how to fill a Gaut-sized hole is not a conundrum Jewell is left facing to on Tuesday night.
But back to present matters. Shoreham would no doubt have been the happiest going into half time goalless at the Beacon, seeing as they had to navigate the opening 45 minutes with a makeshift defensive pairing.
The late arrival of experienced former Burgess Hill Town centre back Clay Lamont meant his normally formidable partnership with ex-St Francis Rangers player Ollie Davies was not seen until immediately after the break.
With Lamont on route rather than on the pitch, Hassocks had the two best chances of a first half in which clear openings were at a premium.
A superb through ball from Phil Johnson put Jamie Weston through one-on-one with only nine minutes on the clock. Musselmen goalkeeper Sam Armfield came out and blocked well with his legs.
It was not until the 42nd minute that the next opportunity came, the Robins seeing what appeared a perfectly goal ruled out for offside.
Chris Maynard sent over a free kick and Nathan Cooper looked to have come from a long way back, running past at least two blue shirts to head home.
The assistant referee thought otherwise and a lofted flag stifled celebrations of what would have been Cooper’s first senior goal.
Jack Simpson had remained a virtual spectator throughout and his evening continued in the same vein after the interval.
Lamont was not the only introduction for Shoreham during the break. They also made an attacking change in an attempt to shake some life into the tie.
Jewell followed suit with a substitution of his own midway through, introducing Ben Palmer in place of Weston.
That enabled James Westlake to move into midfield from right back. It did not take long for Westlake to make a difference further forward, a good run ending with a shot deflected just wide of Armfield’s left hand post.
Just before that and another dangerous Maynard delivery – this time from a corner – was headed down by Kieran O’Callaghan to spark a hectic goalmouth scramble.
For Shoreham, the pacy Rob Allen looked most likely to break the deadlock. He sped past a couple of Hassocks defenders when a corner was only half cleared, shooting inches wide.
The only goal of the game arrived with 15 minutes remaining. In keeping with a lowkey affair, it needed a helping hand from referee Frank Meilack.
Nathan Miles had been quiet by his normal standards, only to burst through the middle and get wiped out by Armfield. Mr Meilack pointed to the spot and Maynard made no mistake from 12 yards.
The crowd knew that was going to be it in terms of scoring and you suspect the players did too. Allen fired a decent chance of an equaliser wide but there was no further action worth noting.
The result leaves the Robins in a lofty fourth place with seven games remaining. All eyes now on Selsey.
Hassocks: Jack Simpson; James Westlake, Ashley Marsh, Stuart Faith, Chris Maynard; Phil Johnson, Nathan Cooper, Kieran O’Callaghan, Jamie Weston; Nathan Miles, Rob Boddy.
Subs: Ben Palmer (Weston 67), Harry Flower (Cooper 80), Nick Pitcher (Maynard 83).
Starman: Stuart Faith. Excellent at the back with a real captain’s performance.
