THREE GOALS IN EIGHT MINUTES END ROBINS’ CUP DREAMS
If you could pick the one time that you don’t want to have a striker crisis, it’s going into a cup quarter final.
Sadly, that’s what Hassocks Ladies had on their hands ahead of the South East Counties Women’s League Cup last eight tie away at Phoenix Sports.
The Robins, winners of this competition in 2018 and runners up last year, made the journey to Bexleyheath without a recognised centre forward available.
Midfielders Tallie Bright and Rose Jump were pushed into attack and while they gave a decent account of themselves in unfamiliar roles, it was a disappointing day at the office as the Robins bowed out with a 4-1 defeat.
Understandably giving the unusual look to their line up, Hassocks started the game slowly with Phoenix well on top in the opening exchanges.
An early shot whistled just over the bar, some brave goalkeeping from Sarah Chappell denied the hosts in a goal mouth scramble and Ria Banitas, Claire Stevens and Emma Flin all had to make important interceptions as a flow of one way traffic headed towards the Hassocks goal.
It was completely against the run of play then when Hassocks seized the lead with 15 minutes played. Kirsten Mair delivered a pinpoint corner straight under the head of Jump, who’d timed her run to perfection to meet the ball with a flicked header which left the Phoenix goalkeeper with no chance.
The Robins might have hoped that Phoenix would be rocked by going behind after their early domination, but if anything the opposite was true and the home side set about finding a way back into the game with renewed gusto.
Stevens and Jodie Johanson both made key blocks but from the corner that came from Johanson’s tackle, Phoenix had their equaliser as the ball was allowed to make its way to the back post for a tap in.
Stevens threw herself in the way of another goal bound shot and Chappell continued her mesmerising form of the week before when she almost single-handedly kept leader leaders Worthing at bay by clawing a Phoenix effort out of the top corner.
As the half wore on, Hassocks were desperately hoping to make it to the break without conceding for a chance to regroup and catch their breath, but sadly they couldn’t quite get there as Phoenix took the lead seven minutes before the interval.
It was a well taken goal from the hosts, with things about to get a lot worse for Hassocks. Four minutes later and Phoenix made it 3-1 when a shot was deflected past Chappell and then in first half stoppage time, the hosts added a fourth following a goalmouth scramble. In between those goals, Gemma Craig had blocked an effort and Stevens was forced into a last ditch tackle.
Despite all Hassocks’ defensive efforts, three goals in eight minutes had effectively put the game out of the Robins’ reach although in truth, the scoreline probably did reflect Phoenix’s dominance.
The second half started in much quieter fashion with Hassocks having the first opportunity when Jump has a shot well saved.
Phoenix raised the tempo in response and Chappell made two more good saves and Stevens yet another good block to prevent the score becoming too embarrassing.
A tactical reshuffle just past the hour mark saw Emily Brocklehurst introduced for skipper Sam Newman with Johanson moving up front although just like Bright and Jump, she struggled to make much headway against a well organised opposition defence.
Hassocks’ only chance of note in the final 20 minutes came when a Mair free kick caused a scramble but nobody could force the ball home.
At the other end, Chappell made two excellent one-on-one stops on her way to a second Starplayer award in succession while she was run close for that accolade by Stevens.
Ultimately though, Hassocks came up against quality opposition on a day when they were without Bethany Purse, Kelly Rushworth, Jess Craig, Liz King and Chloe John and that made an already difficult task that much harder.
On John’s absence, it unfortunately looks like she is going to be out for some time although she remains keen to get involved on the coaching side, which should be a boost for Hassocks over the course of the remainder of the season in which they can now concentrate on securing Premier Division survival.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Claire Stevens, Sam Newman, Emma Flin, Ria Banitas, Jodie Johanson, Katherine Chappell, Gemma Craig, Kirsten Mair, Rose Jump, Tallie Bright.
Subs: Emily Brocklehurst (used).
