Saturday's opening
of the County League season did not provide
the best of 62nd birthdays for Hassocks boss
Dave John as his side's lack of pace at the
back was exposed by a Wick side who look
likely once again to be among the pacesetters.
As on the Robins'
previous visit to Crabtree Park in February,
there was a controversial penalty award
against them but whereas it brought the hosts
a fortunate 3-2 win last season, this time it
was missed and had no real bearing on the 2-1
result. In
truth, it was the better side who won and
while Johnsy was reasonably satisfied with his
team's showing, they could still be short of
real quality even with the return of Ashley
Marsh (holiday), Stuart Faith (cricket) and
Laurence Robinson (dislocated knee).
The most
pressing problem would seem to be a lack of
fire power although in fairness, the service
to Neil Kane and newcomer Daley Clark was
poor. On the credit side, it must have been
reassuring for everyone at the club to have
the admirable Joel Harding back between the
sticks after a year away globetrotting and in
addition the performances of defender Sol
Bowra and midfielder Terry Gacias were highly
encouraging. Former
youth skipper Gacias brought some creativity
to midfield and will be a real asset on his
return from St Francis, while Bowra was the
best visiting defender by far.
But Wick were
far more convincing as a team and had tested
Harding several times before deservedly going
ahead on the half hour. Phil Turner left them
wanting for pace and set up early sub George
Gaskin for a mishit effort that still gave
Harding little chance. Before that he had
proved well up to the task, while the only
time Robins seriously threatened was with a
superb opportunist first-time strike from
distance by skipper-for-the-day Spencer
Slaughter that was only inches over. So it was
something of a surprise when they cancelled
the opening goal just six minutes later. It
was their best bit of football up to that
point as Richard Thompson's cross from the
left was flicked on by Clark and Slaughter
took a touch before turning to fire the ball
in from close range.
After the break
little changed, with Wick continuing to look
the more likely winners and restoring their
lead on 67 minutes with a far more convincing
strike by Gaskin, a close season arrival from
Littlehampton who had replaced Steve Boston
after only 15 minutes. This time it was Ian
Simpson's lack of pace that was exposed as Lee
Barnard crossed for Gaskin to lash in a fierce
drive that gave Harding no chance.
On 84 minutes
there were shades of last season when a
disputed penalty was awarded against Hassocks
as Bowra was adjudged to have fouled the
lively Scott Murfin. Johnsy was well placed in
the stand to declare it was not even inside
the box and it did seem a little harsh,
although referee Nigel Baker had no choice but
to take the word of his assistant. Gaskin
converted from the spot but an encroachment
meant a retake and this time Harding denied
the Wick newcomer a memorable hat-trick. It
probably did little to cheer up Johnsy on his
birthday but at least this time he did not do
anything to incur a £50 fine that was imposed
after last season's visit for allegedly
verbally abusing a linesman.
Hassocks:
Harding, Kublickas, Bowra, Laing, Simpson,
Thompson; Charker, Slaughter, Gacias; Kane,
Clark
Subs: Miles
(Charker), Williams (Thompson), Amos (Clark),
Gander (not used)
