ROBINS MAKE IT TRICKY FOR UNBEATEN ROOKS
For a Hassocks Ladies side struggling for confidence, a trip to the Rookery to take on a young and skilful Lewes Development looked like it was the last thing that the Robins needed.
Hassocks though gave a performance that was a million miles away from the previous weekend’s 7-0 hammering at the hands of Ashford despite suffering a 4-0 defeat against opponents who are yet to drop a point so far this season.
Given the sides’ contrasting form, Lewes might have been expecting this to be an easy afternoon. Any such notions were dispelled as Hassocks made an encouraging start to proceedings, more than matching their opponents in an entertaining opening 15 minutes.
Kirsten Mair found herself operating in an unfamiliar centre back berth but she took to it like a duck to water, snuffing out Lewes’ first attack which came almost straight from kick off.
From there, Hassocks swept up the other end and a good run from Tallie Bright was just lacking a finish from Mia Pordage who could not quite work the space she needed.
A dangerous looking Jo Brown cross was then turned behind by a Lewes defender for a corner, Katherine Chappell’s through ball had just a little too much on it for Pordage to latch onto and a Mair free kick was deflected inches wide of the post.
Lewes rattled the bar with a powerful strike before Sarah Chappell was called into action with her first save of the day, advancing quickly off her line to gather a one-on-one. Shortly after and Lewes showed the threat they pose from set pieces when Chappell was forced into an excellent stop from a Rooks corner.
The deadlock was broken by Lewes in the 24th minute and it was done so in spectacular style when Chappell could only watch as a tremendous shot arrowed into the top corner.
Hassocks looked determined to find a way back into the tie and a superb Liz King switch earned a corner. The Robins nearly forced an equaliser from the resulting delivery, only for Lewes to then break at lightning pace until Sam Newman did well to regain possession for the visitors.
There was a blow for Hassocks when they were forced into a double substitution with 34 minutes played. Jodie Johanson and King both received knocks within seconds of each other, leading to the pair exiting the action with Katie Read and Ellie Moquet introduced. Pordage dropped back into midfield with Read taking over as the lone striker.
Unsurprisingly, the upheaval disrupted the Robins’ rhythm and Chappell had to pull off another fine stop when making herself big five minutes before half time. Emma Flin cleared the loose ball from that opportunity with the final chance of the opening 45 falling to Bright whose probing run just failed to result in a shot on goal.
Lewes began the second half in determined mood and they soon rattled the bar for the second time with Brown scrambling the rebound clear. Two more big chances were passed up by the Rooks when they missed from close range and then the home striker somehow failed to meet an excellent left wing cross with the goal gaping.
Newman had to clear off the line from a corner as Lewes continued to ramp up the pressure. They eventually made it count in the 65th minute when another fine cross from out on the left was this time converted via a simple tap in.
Johanson re-entered in place of the battling Moquet and Chappell made another outstanding save as the game entered the final 20. Hassocks now began to take more risks in pushing forward in search of the goal which could have set up a nervy finale, only to be hit by a swift Lewes counter attack which made it 3-0 and killed the game off.
At this point last week, the Robins collapsed alarmingly so it was pleasing to see them keep going until the end, continuing to ask questions of a Lewes side whose youth gave them a clear fitness advantage.
A deflected effort right at the death made it 4-0, a scoreline which was harsh on Hassocks who had played a full part against one of the sides who should be there or there abouts come the end of the season.
Hassocks: Sarah Chappell, Sam Newman, Jo Brown, Emma Flin, Kirsten Mair, Liz King, Tallie Bright, Jodie Johanson, Jess Craig, Sarah Chappell, Mia Pordage.
Subs: Sam Newman, Ellie Moquet, Katie Read (used).
