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MATCH
REPORTS - YOUTH TEAM
Sussex County Youth League
Central Division
Thursday
07th
September
2006
INJURY
NIGHTMARE RUINS OPENER
Southwick
2-1
Hassocks
Old
Barn Way has never been a happy hunting ground for
Hassocks Youth teams in the past, and last Thursday
was no exception. The evening got off to a bad start
when influential captain Mike Goulden pulled out of
the match during the warm up with an injury sustained
playing for the third team the previous Monday.
Hassocks started the game well with a reshuffled team
when Laurence Robinson opened his account for the
season with a superbly taken goal after only five
minutes. The game continued to be a close affair, with
all the early chances falling to the Robins, which
were not converted into goals. As the game wore on,
Hassocks found themselves defending their one goal
advantage more and more. Late into the second half,
Hassocks were forced to make a substitution when wing
back James Earwicker was unable to continue due to
injury. Nick Boutal came on to take his place.
Hassocks slender lead failed to make it to half time,
when just before the break Southwick equalised when
the Robins failed with a poor headed clearance which
was promptly fired into the net from 25 yards. The
injury jinx continued when at half time Adam Pattison
withdrew and was replaced by Jamie Hillwood. The
second half continued to be an even affair with
chances created at both ends, but then fate took a
hand when a further injury to Logan Newington meant a
further change and he was replaced by Pat Rose. Worse
was to come with 20 minutes to go when Nick Boutal
sustained a serious leg fracture and the game was
stopped for 40 minutes awaiting an ambulance to take
Nick to hospital. Having used all their substitutes,
the young Robins had to complete the last 20 minutes
of the game with only ten players. Despite a
tremendous amount of effort and courage Hassocks were
unable to keep a share of the points that they
deserved and succumbed to a late winner from Southwick
in the last four minutes of the match.
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