Sussex County League Division 1
Tuesday 09th September 2008
ROBINS DO PINCHING IN DAYLIGHT ROBBERY
Hassocks 2-2 Lingfield

Just how Hassocks escaped from this encounter with a share of the spoils was beyond the belief of the most ardent of Robins fans, as Lingfield dominated proceedings for most of the match, missed a hatful of chances and were denied by an injury time equaliser by Matt Russell.

The visitors were quicker to the ball, sharper in thought and their movement was good throughout the team as Hassocks struggled to get a foot in the game. Ollie Davis fired Lingfield in front as early as the 8th minute, firing home from a Sam McCarthy cross. McCarthy missed a glaring opportunity to double the lead soon after, missing his kick from a fine centre by Ian Gillard. Jack Simpson pulled off excellent stops from Craig Abbott low down to his left, at close range from a Gillard header and scrambling away to his right to deny Aaron Courtney from distance.

However, Simpson was a fault for what appeared a perfectly good goal a minute into the 2nd period, punching a Gillard cross into his own net. But referee Machink spotted a foul on the Hassocks keeper for what looked like minimal contact and hassocks breathed again. Lingfield continued to surge forward with the skilful McCarthy wriggling clear of Nick Pitcher but his effort on the angle was well saved by Simpson again. Gillard played in Courtney but he blazed his effort well over and then Spencer Slaughter blocked a Gillard free kick given for a back pass by Glenn Woodburn which Simpson picked up 8 yards from goal. Matt Russell had the Robins first genuine chance scuffing wide after a fine flick by Matt Amos on 69 minutes. 

Lingfield doubled their lead on 72, McCarthy getting the goal his work deserved, flicking in a Chris Charlery cross. The visitors seemed content to see out time by knocking the ball into the corners, as Hassocks posed no threat to their goal. But as is commonly known football is a funny game and when Laurence Robinson hooked in a James Laing cross at the far post on 87, the home side sensed something. And so it was in stoppage time, as Russell pounced onto Amos's flicked header to nudge the ball past the oncoming Stacey Bowtell to give Hassocks a point and a clear playing of their get out of jail free card for the season!

Hassocks: Simpson, White (Bristow 90), Fitzgerald, Woodburn (Eynon 62), Pitcher, Faith, Slaughter (Laing 78), Hibbert, M Russell, Amos, Robinson

Unused subs: McKenzie, Gander

Man of the Match: Jack Simpson - although not the finished article made some great saves at vital times to keep Hassocks in it