HASSOCKS KICK OFF CAMPAIGN BY ENDING ARUNDEL HOODOO
When the County League fixture list threw up Arundel away on the opening day for Hassocks, the Robins could’ve been forgiven for fearing the worst.
Mill Road has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for Hassocks and the Mullets have proven to be a real thorn in the side of Dave John and his team for as long as anyone can care to remember.
However, on this day, the Robins rode their luck, weathered a bit of a storm in the second half and finished strongly to record a hard fought 2-0 win in baking conditions on the banks of the River Arun.
Not many of the 50 or so Hassocks supporters who made the trip to Mill Road could remember the last time their side had won there so it was a bit of a surprise that they came away with maximum points thanks to a real poacher’s goal from Phil Gault and a crisp Anthony Hibbert volley in stoppage time.
The match started at a frantic pace and there could have been as many as four goals in the opening 15 minutes. Matt Huckett was twice denied by the impressive Joel Harding, firstly low down to his right and then with his legs.
At the other end, Sam Fisk scooped over from inside the six yard box after great work from Matt Robbins and Gault headed over a teasing Mickey Turner cross with the goal gaping.
Dave Towers picked up a booking for dissent after just four minutes, whilst later in the half, Ashley Marsh followed him into Bob Bell’s notebook for a challenge on Dave Walker, as did Chris Hibberd for a poor challenge on Turner.
In between that flurry of cards, Chris Brown headed a Hibberd header off the line and Walker tried an audacious shot from the halfway line which Harding watched sail harmlessly wide.
Arundel became more dominant as the half wore on and so there was a real sense of relief at half time that Hassocks had made it to the break without conceding and would have 15 minutes to regather themselves.
Whatever was put in the Robins’ half time oranges had an almighty galvanising effect as within a minute of the restart, Gault had tested Ben O’Connor with a rasping 30-yard effort and on 51 minutes the Robins striker gave the visitors the lead.
Harding’s free kick from the centre circle was left by both Lloyd Walker and Jason Wimbleton for the other to deal with and Gault’s sharpness saw him nip in front of O’Connor and tuck the ball home. It was certainly a “route one” goal but praise should be given to Gault for assessing the situation quickly.
Arundel continued to play some good football, keeping the ball on the deck and utilising the wing backs, Dave Hall and Alex Duncan, but in truth they had very few shots to trouble Harding.
Harding was dominant coming for crosses that were thrown into the box and the back five of Turner, Fisk, Lear, Marsh and Brendan Leahy held firm.
Seeing Leahy starting a game after an injury hit couple of seasons was a particular bonus for Hassocks, especially with cricketing commitments likely to keep Stuart Faith away for several more weeks yet.
Arundel did eventually managed to beat Harding through a Wimbleton header, but Brown was again on hand to clear off the line.
Dave John rang the changes with 15 minutes to go as Mark Sheriff replaced Matt Amos and Richard Thompson, returning to first team duty after spending most of last season in the reserves following the birth of his first child, came on for Brown.
Sheriff was immediately into the action, nearly making the game safe for the Robins with a volley which flashed just wide.
They did eventually add their second deep into injury time, Gault chesting down a Thompson throw to his find the unmarked Hibbert who crisply volleyed past O’Connor to seal victory.
Hassocks: Joel Harding; Mickey Turner, Pete Lear, Ashley Marsh, Brendan Leahy, Sam Fisk; Matt Robbins, Chris Brown, Anthony Hibbert; Phil Gault, Matt Amos.
Subs: Mark Sheriff (Amos 74), Richard Thompson (Brown 77), Chris Hewitt, Logan Newington (unused).
Starman: A good all round team performance but goes to Phil Gault, opportunist important first goal and tracked back tirelessly when needed to help out the midfield.
