I
am not sure that I have seen a game 'ebb and flow'
as much as this one. Up to this point Hassocks had
only conceded 2 goals in 5 games therefore, to let
in 7 in 120 minutes was a bit of a shock. It was a
game where the defensive units of both side
struggled and the attacking players
flourished. Hassocks took the league after 6
minutes when Miles found space in the penalty area
and scored. For the rest of the half Hassocks
struggled and although they did have a few chances
they were 3-1 down at half time.
A
great 2nd half performance started with Hillwood
heading home and then Miles shot at goal hit the
defenders arm on the goal line. The ref
decided to book the player when a sending off
would probably have represented the laws written
down by the FA. Spies scored the penalty and then
a free kick by Hillwood struck the wall only to
rebound to Tom Barnes who chipped the ball from 25
yds over the goalkeeper despairing dive. At 4-3 to
Hassocks it looked enough but suddenly a break by
Lindfield found us flat footed and the Lindfield
forward scored to take the game into extra time.
Within
25 seconds Hillwood had put Hassocks 5-4 ahead but
the joy was short lived as Lindfield scored twice
to take a 6-5 lead. Just before the end of the 1st
period of extra time Arni Kubliski scored with a
header to bring the scores level.
The
2nd period saw a similar 'end to end' pattern and
although Miles had a couple of great chances to
win the game it was Lindfield who once again broke
away and scored to snatch the game 7-6.
A
great game for the neutrals but letting in 7 goals
hurt and work needs to be done to strengthen the
defence going forward.
Masky
