ROBINS SNATCH SUCCESS OFF SEVENOAKS IN EXTRA TIME
They left it late, but Hassocks are through to the second qualifying round of the FA Vase thanks to two goals in the final five minutes of extra time against a spirited Sevenoaks Town side from the Kent League.
Trailing 1-0 at half time having been largely outplayed, the Robins came out for the second half a completely different team and Neil Kane’s goal deservedly took the tie into extra time.
A midweek replay was looming large until Dan Jacques chose a timely moment to net his first senior goal in the 115th minute. With Sevenoaks then pouring forward in search of an equaliser, Hassocks hit them on the counter with substitute James Laing adding some gloss to the final score.
Dave John made three changes from the side who had picked up a rare success against Shoreham in midweek. Phil Gault was unavailable and so in came Michael Bates for his first start of the campaign.
Sol Bowra and Daley Clark were both used subs in that win over the Musselmen and they were promoted to the starting XI in place of the unavailable Pete Lear and Laing, who took a place among the substitutes despite not being 100% fit after limping off on Tuesday night.
It was a quiet opening 30 minutes to proceedings as both sides cautiously tried to suss the other out having never met before at any level of football. Sevenoaks fashioned the only chance in that time, Joel Harding having to tip a Chris Walker shot around the post with a fine save.
The visitors took the lead on 35 minutes as Hassocks’ lack of pace at the back was exposed. The lively Joe Creasey nipped in ahead of Stuart Faith with his first touch positioning him to speed past Ashley Marsh too. Only Harding then stood between Creasey and goal and the Sevenoaks forward duly beat the Hassocks goalkeeper with a low finish into the bottom corner.
Sevenoaks were knocking the ball around nicely now and the Robins couldn’t get close. Creasey caused further problems to the home defence when he nicked the ball off Faith again in a dangerous area but luckily for Hassocks, he was off target with his effort this time as the ball flew over the bar.
Whatever John said to his players at half time clearly had the desired effect as they returned to the pitch a rejuvenated side after the break. Clark fired an early warning sign of their new intent when his snapshot was fired just wide within 60 seconds of the restart.
On the hour mark, Hassocks offered another warning to Sevenoaks. Bates was hauled down 30 yards out and Anthony Hibbert struck a marvellous curling free kick which had visiting goalkeeper Sean Funnell well beaten but not the crossbar, the ball cannoning off the woodwork and behind.
The resulting goal kick from Funnell wasn’t a good one as it fell weakly to the feet of Hibbert. He lofted an inch perfect ball back over the top of the Sevenoaks defence for Kane to meet with a first time volley past Funnell for 1-1.
Both sides had half chances in the final 30 minutes but Hassocks looked most likely to snatch it through Kane who missed two chances right at the end of the 90.
Faith broke out of the back line with possession looking surprisingly cultured and he found Laing who released Kane. Kane cut inside his defender well, only to see his shot deflected. Then with the last kick of normal time, Kane got a clear sight of goal but his effort was straight at the like of Funnell, who in fairness had spread himself well.
Neither side really threatened in extra time and Hassocks were already drawing up the logistics of a Tuesday night trip to Kent when Jacques struck out of the blue.
Kane’s shot seemed to catch Funnell by surprise and the Sevenoaks goalkeeper could only parry it away. Jacques showed great determination to get there ahead of his defender, sliding in to turn the ball home for 2-1. It was the least that Jacques deserved on what was one of the right back’s best performances in Hassocks colours so far.
Sevenoaks had no choice but to throw the kitchen sink at Hassocks now and the visitors were eventually undone with a goal similar to the Robins’ first as a lofted ball over the top sent Kane clear again. Rather than shoot, this time he drew Funnell before sliding a pass across to Laing who had the simple task of applying a finish into an empty goal.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Dan Jacques, Sol Bowra, Ashley Marsh, Stuart Faith, Arni Kublickas; Terry Gacias, Michael Bates, Anthony Hibbert; Daley Clark, Neil Kane.
Subs: Laing (Clark 80), Slaughter (Bates 88), Ian Simpson, Jack Simpson (unused)
Starman: Dan Jacques.
