They dominated possession, but Hassocks Ladies were sadly lacking a cutting edge in front of goal as they went down to a 1-0 defeat away at Parkwood Rangers.
On arrival in Dartford, the Robins were greeted by a ridiculously strong wind and before kick off it appeared as though whichever side made the most of conditions would win the game.
Hassocks could be pleased with their first half efforts then. They’d defended the wind stoutly and only turned around 1-0 behind, a deficit that should have been surmountable with the gale behind their backs.
And yet they managed to muster very few opportunities of any note in the second half as Parkwood themselves defended determinedly, seeing out the game and leaving a very disappointed party to head back to Sussex with nothing to show for their efforts.
Parkwood looked to get on the attack from the first whistle and inside the first five minutes it took some vital interceptions from Kirsten Mair and Claire Stevens to prevent the hosts taking the lead.
They did get the ball in the back of the net shortly after but the goal was ruled out for offside, much to Hassocks’ relief.
The Robins responded to that let off by creating their first opportunity, Katherine Chappell skilfully lobbing the goalkeeper – no easy feat kicking into the wind – but the ball dropped agonisingly wide. Jess Craig then teed up new signing Bethany Purse but she was denied a debut goal by an excellent save.
The game was sparking into life now and Parkwood went down the other end but found their route to goal blocked by Sam Newman, then Ria Banitas and then Claire Stevens.
There was an element of misfortune from a Hassocks point of view about the way that Parkwood took the lead with 25 minutes played as with grim predictability, the wind played a huge part in the goal.
A Hassocks free kick was mishit and then carried by the wind over the top of the defence, sending Zoe Evans through on goal.
Her low effort was a powerful one but Sarah Chappell did brilliantly to get a strong hand to it, not that it was enough to keep the shot out as the ball trickled agonisingly over the line for 1-0.
Hassocks managed to get their next free kick right and it almost led to an equaliser, Stevens’ delivery being flicked on by Gemma Craig for Purse but her shot on the turn was just wide.
Parkwood created two more chances before the half was out, Stevens making one superb block and then Chappell did well to keep out a free kick.
Hassocks could be reasonably happy with that first half performance, especially with the way they’d battled and had their fair share of possession despite playing against the wind. That was largely due to the efforts of midfielders Jess Craig, Gemma Craig, Chappell and Tallie Bright.
Now they’d need to use the wind to their advantage and with that in mind, Martin Lee made a double change at the break as Rose Jump and Jodie Johanson entered proceedings.
Straight from kick off and the Robins looked threatening. Sarah Chappell launched a free kick deep into Parkwood territory where Purse pounced but her shot was saved.
Two quick corners followed which Hassocks couldn’t quite force in, allowing Parkwood to counter which they did to impressive effect, forcing Chappell into a great block.
The hosts should have wrapped the game up with 15 minutes remaining when a forward rounded Chappell and hit the ball towards the empty goal.
Inexplicably, a second Parkwood striker in an offside position ran in and touched the ball into the net, ruling the goal out. It was another let off for Hassocks.
Sadly, they were unable to take advantage of it. Gemma Craig went on a barnstorming run but her cross was cleared before a visiting player could turn it in and a couple of corners late on came to nothing.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Ria Banitas, Emma Flin, Claire Stevens, Sam Newman, Tallie Bright, Jess Craig, Gemma Craig, Kirsten Mair, Bethany Purse, Katherine Chappell.
Subs: Jodie Johanson, Rose Jump (used), Holly Webb, Ellie Moquet (unused).
