BATTLING ROBINS TAKE A POINT OFF THE CHAMPIONS
Hassocks halted a run of four consecutive defeats with a superb battling point against reigning Southern Combination League champions Littlehampton Town.
The visitors arrived at the Beacon full of confidence. They were on a seven game winning streak which had actually begun on their previous visit to Hassocks, a 5-0 Sussex Principal RUR Charity Cup victory back in September.
Hassocks in contrast had a paltry two draws from their subsequent seven fixtures since that day. Given those woes, even the most optimistic of home supporters could have been forgiven for fearing the worst.
The Mid Sussex weather was nearly as bleak as the Robins recent form. Heavy rain and a swirling wind never relented, so it was a credit to both sides that they still managed to put on a surprisingly entertaining game given how difficult the conditions were to play in.
Hassocks were a good value for their point and perhaps could have even nicked all three. The had a brilliant chance to win it right at the death when Phil Gault headed over when unmarked and well placed in a position from which the clinical striker scores nine times out of 10.
It was Gault’s strike partner Michael Death who had given the Robins the lead inside the first 10 minutes although it owed a big thanks to visiting boss George Gaskin, whose attempts at some cheeky foul play backfired spectacularly.
With Spencer Slaughter looking to take a quick free kick just in front of the away dugout, Gaskin kicked a spare ball from the touchline onto the pitch, leaving referee Richard Sargeant with no choice but to pull the game back much to Slaughter’s anger.
That worked out brilliantly from a Hassocks point of view however as from the retake, the ball found it’s way to Gault whose knock down was met with a crunching volley from Death that went in via a post.
Littlehampton should have been level a few minutes later but somehow their forward contrived to put a header high, wide and handsome from a matter of yards with the goal gaping.
It was the Marigolds’ danger man George Landais who levelled things up on 24 minutes from the penalty spot after Nick Pitcher was adjudged to have hauled down a striker who was bearing down on the Hassocks goal.
Pitcher was clearly incensed with Richard Sargeant’s decision to award a spot kick despite producing a foul that would have been deemed a great try saving tackle in a game of rugby.
In truth, he was lucky to receive only a booking for what some referees may have interpreted as denying a clear run at George Willett and therefore a goal scoring opportunity.
There could be no complaints about Littlehampton’s second, a cross from out on the right met with an absolutely stunning acrobatic volley from Peter Beadle that looped into the top corner.
With the wind now against them in the second half, it appeared as though Hassocks would be in for a long 45 minutes after turning around.
Those thoughts were initially confirmed as Town dominated the early stages, forcing several good stops from Willett and then hitting the woodwork as the Robins goal led a charmed existence to say the least.
Hassocks hung in though and they were able to grow into things as the half went on and things became very stretched, Gault drawing a couple of fine saves from Jon Hendrick and long range efforts from both Slaughter and Hawkes gave the Littlehampton number one something to think about.
With tired legs across the park after such a battling performance, Hassocks introduced Jack Wilkins and Jonno Melia from the bench and it was the latter who snatched the equaliser with his first couple of touches, outstripping Scott Packer out on the left flank before neatly finishing the one-on-one opportunity past Hendrick.
Ashley Marsh produced a superb block from point blank range to keep the scoreline level before Gault had that great chance late on to secure what would have been a first victory since September.
Not that anybody involved with Hassocks was complainingm as evidenced by the cheers that greeted the full time whistle.
Phil Wickwar shared the supporters’ and players’ delight, saying afterwards, “It’s a great point against an in form team but it is only a start. We have to improve still and we will.”
Hassocks: George Willett; Tom Barnes, Ashley Marsh, Nick Pitcher, Dan Jacques; Bradley Bant, Josh Hawkes, Spencer Slaughter, Jamie Hillwood; Michael Death, Phil Gault.
Subs: Jack Wilkins, Jonno Melia (used), Bradley Tighe, Luke Akehurst, Mark Price (unused).
