CLINICAL HASSOCKS GIVE RINGMER THE BLUES
Clinical Hassocks made the most of a game of limited chances as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over a Ringmer side whose afternoon went from bad to worse.
The Blues enjoyed more possession and in Matt Percival, they had the best player on the pitch. Percival had a brief spell with Hassocks last season during the ill-fated reign of John Suter and he offered a reminder of what a good player he is with a performance of real quality.
Not that any of that counted for anything in the final analysis. Hassocks were on the right side of referee Darren Eaton for once and that led Ringmer to become increasingly frustrated which ultimately culminated in the dismissal of midfielder Mark Price six minutes from time for one word too many to Mr Eaton.
The game was well and truly up by that point, Phil Gault’s double and a fifth of the season from Anthony Hibbert helping the Robins score three times for the second consecutive game following the midweek draw with Peacehaven & Telscombe. It is a welcome improvement for a side who were struggling a little in front of goal up until the Tye’s visit three days ago.
Hot conditions made it hard work for the players and that was reflected in an even first half in which chances were at a premium. Hassocks took of those few opportunities with 37 minutes played as Gault headed the Robins in front.
Ringmer were caught napping by a short corner routine as Dan Jacques charged forwards to collect the ball. Jacques’ cross looked like it might have been heading straight in but Gault decided to mke sure, directing the ball up and onto the underside of the bar from virtually on the goal line before it bounced into the back of the net.
Two goals in the first 13 minutes of the second half sealed the win for Hassocks. The Robins were lucky to be awarded a free kick right on the edge of the Ringmer box and Mr Eaton was on the end of a volley of abuse from the visiting players.
Their feelings of injustice were heightened as Gault stepped up and bent a beautiful free kick up and over the wall. Ringmer goalkeeper Gary Trott got a very firm hand to it but he was unable to prevent Gault notching his and Hassocks’ second.
Poor Trott was even more disappointed three minutes later when he could only palm out another testing cross from Jacques. Hibbert was on hand to produce a cool, crisp finish on the volley to make it 3-0.
There was no way back from there although Ringmer did continue to dominate the possession count with some neat football, even as they began to become increasingly irate with a set of weird and wonderful decisions from Mr Eaton.
Visiting skipper Aaron Hassan’s protests eventually earned him a place in the book as both sides rang the changes with the game all but up. For Hassocks, that meant an extended run out for Ian Simpson who steps up his return from injury in place of Stuart Faith and 20 minutes for both Neil Kane and Michael Bates in place of Matt Amos and Arni Kublickas.
Bates’ introduction was particularly intriguing as the central midfielder took over at right wing back in a straight swap for Kublickas. Dave John has looked a little short of cover for Jacques and Kublickas in the wide positions with Bates’ cameo suggesting that he could offer an interesting alternative going forward.
Joel Harding show Trott the value of a strong wrist as he beat away a powerful Percival drive on 75 minutes. From the resulting corner, the Hassocks goalkeeper was counting his blessings when the unmarked Hassan’s shot cannoned back off the underside of the bar.
Even then the danger was not over as Percival picked up the loose ball and tried his luck with another low drive with Harding had to get down quickly to keep out. That was the best Ringmer could muster and Price’s red for dissent followed shortly after on a day they will be keen to forget. Hassocks meanwhile remain in touch with the top five.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Dan Jacques; Sol Bowra, Ashley Marsh, Stuart Faith, Arni Kublickas; Spencer Slaughter, Anthony Hibbert, Terry Gacias; Phil Gault, Matt Amos.
Subs: Ian Simpson (Faith 58), Neil Kane (Amos 69), Michael Bates (Kublickas 72).
Starman: It has to go to Phil Gault because his first two efforts effectively won the match.
