ANYONE used to
watching games at the back end of the season could
hardly have been disappointed with Tuesday's 2-2
draw between Hassocks and Ringmer, which was far
from a classic but under the circumstances was
watchable enough. Considering
there was only pride at stake and Hassocks, in
particular, were without a host of regular first
choices, the teams managed to put on a game that
held the attention to the end.
The hosts twice led
but were swiftly pegged back and even in a
goalless second half there was always the distinct
possibilty of another goal at either end. Even if
the players had given less than value, there was
never any chance of Ringmer boss Steve Johnson not
treating it with anything less than full passion.
It is only a pity his obvious full-blooded love
affair with the game clearly lacks measure on
occasions. He entered into an unsavoury slanging
match with a home supporter before eventually
being hauled back to the dugout by sub Aaron
MacMillan and along with equally vocal assistant
Paul Thomsett gave the officials another testing
time.
Robins gave Sol
Bowra his first senior outing and he did well in a
back line that included youngster Ian Simpson and
veteran Chris Hewitt. Dave John seems to be able
to pluck central defenders from anywhere and
Bowra's ability was not lost on the man due to
take over from the long-serving boss at the end of
the season. Mickey Jewell certainly knows plenty
of the current first team squad as they lean
heavily on reserve players.
Hassocks were awarded a somewhat soft penalty on
seven minutes when a linesman ruled a Ringmer
defender deliberately handled the ball and Spencer
Slaughter put his last penalty miss behind him by
converting comfortably.
Unfortunately for
the hosts, the lead lasted only another seven
minutes as Joe Dryer's neat cross from the left
was put away in excellent goalpoaching fashion by
Marc Whiteman, who has made quite a reputation for
himself this season and could well be offered the
chance to move up a notch next season. A minute
later Slaughter tried his luck with a first-time
strike and the bounce almost did for Jack Stern.
The young Ringmer keeper did enough to put off
Richard Thomas when he opted to chest the ball
down when put clean in on goal by Richard
Thompson's splendid pass but a minute later Stern
was left with egg on his face after Thomas showed
better judgement.
The ball broke to
him after good work by Laurence Robinson and the
first-time shot caught Stern back pedalling and
making a hash of his attempted save. That was on
29 minutes and this time the lead lasted only four
minutes as Whiteman again showed his predatory
instincts with a neat finish on the turn in a
crowded box. Both sides had chances after the
break, Harding saving with his feet from Whiteman
and at the other end Simpson going close with a
couple of set-piece headers but there were no more
goals and a draw was just about the right result.
Hassocks: Harding;
Turner, Hewitt, Bowra, Simpson, Thompson; Bates,
Brown, Slaughter; Thomas, Robinson.
Unused subs:
Murray, Lewington, Williams, Johnson.
Middy Starman:
Chris Brown, valuable if unspectacular role in
midfield.
