RAMPANT REBELS SWAT ASIDE ROBINS AT WET BEACON
Facing unbeaten South East Counties Women’s League Premier Division leaders Worthing with a full strength squad would have been daunting enough for Hassocks.
So to do so missing a whole host of first choice players made the Robins’ task against an outstanding Rebels side who have won 10 games out of 10 in the league so far this season doubly difficult.
It was little surprise that Hassocks were therefore on the end of a 4-1 defeat, although they could at least take consolation from becoming only the third team to score against Worthing this season after Lewes and Crawley Wasps.
The biggest selection problem facing Martin Lee before the game appeared to be the absence of first choice goalkeeper Sarah Chappell, an easy winner of star player when these two sides last met in the league just a fortnight ago and Worthing chalked up a 2-0 success at Woodside Road.
Chappell’s place was taken by Ellie Moquet and she excelled on rare start between the posts, going onto emulate Chappell by being voted as Hassocks’ player of the match herself.
Moquet set the tone for her afternoon as early as the first minute when she confidently claimed a cross into her box.
From there, Hassocks swiftly broke up the other end and Jodie Johanson’s fine through ball nearly put Bethany Purse in but the striker was adjudged to have strayed slightly offside.
Worthing settled after that and began stroking the ball about confidently on a Beacon surface that was becoming increasingly slick as heavy rain fell.
A cross-shot from the Rebels flew narrowly over the bar and Moquet made two stops in quick succession, the second of which saw her fly full stretch across the goal to turn the ball around the post.
From the resulting corner, Claire Stevens had to be alert to make an important block. Jess Craig and Emma Flin followed in Stevens’ footsteps by providing crucial interceptions and then a difficult bouncing shot looked like it might cause problems for Moquet but she did well to gather at the second attempt.
A rare Hassocks attack was set up when Purse won back possession with a superb tackle but Rose Jump couldn’t quite get on the end of the loose ball before the Worthing goalkeeper.
The visitors had a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions which were cleared by Sam Newman and Stevens, at which point it looked like Hassocks might make it to the half on level terms.
Sadly, it wasn’t to be and Worthing took the lead with just two minutes of the first half remaining when the dangerous Sophie Humphrey produced a cool finish into the bottom corner which left Moquet with no chance.
The Rebels came flying out the traps in the second half, heading just over from a corner before seeing Moquet frustrate them again with yet another save.
They wouldn’t be denied for long however and just before the hour mark, they had their second. A weak shot from Samantha-Jade Mee found its way to Humphrey who collect it and produced a delightful turn and shot past the helpless Moquet.
Worthing didn’t have long to wait for a third, which effectively ended the tie as a contest. It also happened to be the goal of the game, Mee smashing a direct free kick straight into the stanchion from a full 30 yards.
Worthing were rampant now and only some brave defending and some more Moquet excellence prevented the scoreline becoming too embarrassing.
A fourth did arrive from the penalty spot after Gemma Worsfold was brought down in the box; she dusted herself down to convert from 12 yards. There were still 20 minutes to play at this point and Moquet produced a fingertip save to keep out a fifth.
Hassocks never gave up and they eventually got some reward for their hard work when Gemma Craig went down in the box after she’d been tripped by Tammy Wayne and it was left to Jess Craig to score the resulting penalty.
Hassocks: Ellie Moquet, Sam Newman, Emily Brocklehurst, Emma Flin, Claire Stevens, Jodie Johanson, Tallie Bright, Jess Craig, Gemma Craig, Bethany Purse, Rose Jump.
Subs: Chloe John, Liz King (unused).
