MATCH REPORTS - FIRST TEAM

Carlsberg FA Vase 2nd Round
Saturday 17th October 2007
ROBINS BLOW GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN VASE EXIT
Lymington Town 1-0 Hassocks

Hassocks boss Dave John admitted to being “extremely disappointed” after Hassocks exited this seasons FA Carlsberg Vase at Wessex League Lymington Town. Luke Richmond got the only goal of a scrappy tie in the 40^th minute, turning in a Luke Ashkham centre, after the latter had seized on a poor back pass from Matt Robbins. The Robins dominated the second half but could not get the equaliser they craved, leaving Johnsy frustrated. “We hammered them second half but didn’t have that break in front of goal that we needed”. “I am disappointed for the players who gave everything in the second half”.

The game started at a frenetic pace, tackles flying in, Lymington hustling and bustling and never allowing Hassocks to settle or have time on the ball. Joel Harding denied Askham as early as the 5^th minute, saving well with his legs, whilst Anthony Hibbert flashed a 25 yarder just past the post. The crucial moment came when Robbins picked up the ball in the left back position, came under pressure, played the ball back instead of hitting it into row Z and Askham nipped in to square for Richmond to have the simplest of tasks to tap in from 6 yards. Stuart Faith and Mark Sheriff were both booked by an over-fussy referee near the end of the first period.

Hassocks came out with all guns blazing in the second half and although they spent the majority of the time camped in the Lymington half, keeper Craig Willsher only had 3 difficult saves to make. All too often the final pass or cross into the area was wasted, Phil Gault and Sheriff, enduring a frustrating afternoon. Sheriff was replaced by Matt Amos and although his pace troubled the Town defence, he too failed to create much. The best chances came in the final 10 minutes, Mickey Turner’s ferocious drive from an angle was palmed over by Wiilsher, Spencer Slaughter’s long range effort was parried away for a corner and the home stopper pushed away a header from his own defender, Keith Burge. At the other end Turner was lucky not to give away a penalty after appearing to trip Paul Traies.

It was a golden opportunity missed by Hassocks to progress to the 3^rd round for the first time in their history, reflecting on the fact that week in week out they play much stronger outfits in the County League.

Team; Harding, Turner, Fisk, Marsh, Lear, Faith, Robbins, Slaughter, Hibbert, Gault, Sheriff (Amos 68)

Unused subs: Brown, Barnes, Hewitt, Wickwar