Hassocks
have not always been the best of starters in recent seasons
but on Saturday the new management team got off to a winning
start at the Lashmar, where there have been even more
changes than at the Beacon.
It has to be stated that the result was undoubtedly the best
thing about the performance although at this early stage
that is not of huge concern. It always takes three or four
weeks for things to settle down but too many points dropped
in that time can have long-lasting effects.
The
Robins were never behind although both goals came somewhat
out of the blue against a home side still getting their act
together after the departure of manager Chris White and the
appointment of Trevor Waller as his replacement. The Horsham
YMCA connection would not have been lost on many, with White
taking over there from John Suter, who has now teamed up
with Hassocks' new boss Mickey Jewell.
Not suprisingly, the visitors now include several ex-YM
players in their squad and although few figured in this
match, one of them, James Bird, also well known to Burgess
Hill fans, looked like he can do a good holding and/or
playmaking job in midfield.
Clearly
the holding role has also been assigned to another ex-YM man
Tom White although he virtually swopped with right back Matt
Percival in the second half. With the wind advantage, it was
right the visitors push on a little more and Percival was
prominent if not always assured.
He was not alone in the latter department as Hassocks were
guilty of giving away possession far too easily on
occasions.
The
two Hassocks goals came 12 minutes into each half, with
Anthony Hibbert
scoring the first after the hosts had made most of the
running from the opening whistle, with Sonny Banks and Phil
Churchill looking lively.
Hassocks' new keeper Paul Williams deserves some credit for
the goal as he was bold coming out to gather the ball near
the edge of his own box from where he delivered a good
clearance that was nodded on by James Laing. Matt Amos then
knocked it square for Hibbert to strike a shot that home
keeper Dean Fuller was desperately disappointed to let
through his hands as he dived to his left.
If
EP were unlucky to be behind at that point, any feelings of
misfortune were shortlived as little more than two minutes
later Bognor referee Andy Massey ruled that Peter Lear's
challenge on Banks was late and Churchill duly equalised
from the spot.
After that Hassocks looked capable of unpicking the home
defence and for a while seemed to win everything in the air.
But there were no more goals until 12 minutes after the
break when Robins again struck out of the blue. Spencer
Slaughter was 25 yards from goal when he unleashed a low
drive that seemed to catch the hapless Fuller by surprise.
He may not have got down to it in time
but an attempt of some sort may have been appreciated by his
team-mates.
After
that it was fairly comfortable for the visitors, who could
even afford to substitute both strikers in a five-minute
spell. That gave a senior debut to Lindfield goal machine of
last season Aaron Walsh and a debut to another of the YM
contingent, Ali Russell.
It was only in the closing minutes when Hassocks began to
back off a little too much that EP threatened an equaliser.
Chris Bowyer was wide from possibly the best chance although
in the closing seconds Lear made up for that earlier penalty
with a superb block in the six-yard box.
With
Joel Harding off travelling the world, Hassocks defender
Ashley Marsh has given the skipper’s armband by Jewell,
who afterwards announced himself pleased with the result.
“It was good to get off with a win and although it
wasn’t the best of performances, there were some good
things and we still have plenty of players to come back.”
Hassocks:
Williams; Percival, Marsh, Lear, Thompson; White, Bird,
Hibbert, Slaughter; Amos, Laing
Subs:
Walsh (Amos, 75), Russell (Laing, 80), Akehurst, Mackenzie
& Millward (not used)
Starman: James Bird, particularly effective in the first
half
