MATCH REPORTS - FIRST TEAM

Sussex County League Division 1
Tuesday 30th October 2007
HASSOCKS MUGGED AS HAILSHAM SNATCH POINT
Hassocks 1-1 Hailsham Town

A LATE Hailsham equaliser left the Hassocks players devastated as they had targeted three points to consolidate third place in the County League. Despite a sluggish start as the visitors made the running in the first 15 minutes, the Robins settled down to play some of their best football of the season and were in charge for lengthy spells. And it looked like they were on their way to avenging a 4-1 league reverse at the Beaconsfield in mid-September when Spencer Slaughter struck a rare goal in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Richard Thompson’s cross was cleared only as far as the young midfielder, who struck it back crisply through a crowded area from 30 yards.

After the lively Danny Leach and Scott French posed early problems and Leach forced a good save from Hassocks skipper Joel Harding, the hosts went close three times in rapid succession from an Anthony Hibbert corner. Defender Peter Lear had a header cleared off the line and then a shot blocked after Matt Robbins had also been foiled by a goalline clearance. Phil Gault should have put Hassocks in front on 33 minutes when put through one-on-one with Russell Tanner by a good ball from Slaughter. Gault elected to put the ball over the onrushing keeper from 25 yards but his effort smacked against the bar. Mark Sheriff then scuffed a good chance wide from 10 yards and then just before the goal, Phil Richardson got back to clear off the line after the little striker had rounded Tanner.

The hosts continued in the ascendancy at the start of the second half and Gault had a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside before Sheriff put a free header just wide and the stretching Robbins toe poked the ball over after a Hibbert cross had eluded everyone else. But substitutions by Hailsham lifted them and they started to come far more into the game. Leach’s header forced a great full length save from Harding but Hassocks looked to have gained sweet revenge before on 87 minutes visiting defender Mark Reeve was left free to head in a corner.

Even then Hassocks could have won it in stoppage time when somehow wing back Richard Thompson toe poked over from close range when Sam Fisk’s long throw bounced across the six-yard box.
There was no doubt Robins considered this two points dropped against a Hailsham side less impressive than they had been in the first meeting.

Hassocks: Harding, Fisk, Marsh, Lear, Faith, Thompson; Robbins, Slaughter, Hibbert; Gault, Sheriff

Unused subs: Thomas, Laing, Simpson, Wickwar

Man of the Match: Matt Robbins