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MATCH
REPORTS - FIRST TEAM
Sussex County League
Division 1
Saturday
11th August
2007
ROBINS
BREAK ARUNDEL HOODOO
Arundel
0-2 Hassocks
Arundel
away on opening day – not the greatest trip for
Hassocks, as the Mullets have been a real thorn in
their side over the years. 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 at Mill Road.
Not
many of the 50 or so supporters who made the trip to
Mill Road, could remember the last time Hassocks won
there, so it was a bit of a surprise that the Robins
came away with maximum points, thanks to a real
poachers 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 4 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
6-yard box after great work from Matt Robbins and
Gault headed over a Mickey Turner cross with the goal
gaping. Dave Towers picked up a booking for dissent
after just 4 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, Chris Brown headed a Hibberd header off the
line and Walker tried an audacious shot from the
halfway line which Harding watched sail wide. Half
time arrived with the Robins fans relieved to turn
around level.
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 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 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
dominate coming for crosses that were thrown into the
box and the back five of Turner, Fisk, Lear, Marsh and
Brendan Leahy held firm. When the ball did beat
Harding from a Wimbleton header, Brown was again on
hand to clear off the line. Mark Sheriff replaced Matt
Amos and his half volley flashed wide.
Deep
into injury time, Gault chested down a Richard
Thompson throw and his pass found the unmarked Hibbert
who crisply volleyed past O’Connor to seal victory,
with the Arundel players converging on the assistant
appealing for offside.
Team;
Harding, Turner, Fisk, Marsh, Lear, Leahy, Robbins,
Brown (Thompson 77), Hibbert, Gault, Amos (Sheriff 74)
Unused
Subs: Hewitt, Lewington
Goals:
Gault 51, Hibbert 90
Bookings:
Marsh (foul)
Man
of the Match – 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
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