Sussex County League Division 1
Friday 09th November 2007
GOOD POINT GAINED BY HARD WORK ROBINS
East Preston 1-1 Hassocks

HASSOCKS came close to surrendering another costly goal late on but they still merited this hard-earned point on Friday away to an East Preston side in confident mood after becoming the first team to beat Whitehawk in the County League this season. It was an open game, full of honest endeavor and some neat football on occasions but goalmouth action was thin on the ground and chances were at a premium.

Robins’ best moments of the first 45 minutes came after the half hour mark. First Matt Robbins was just too high with a well struck drive after a good build-up and then home keeper Tom Rand held Sam Fisk’s header on the line after an excellent deep cross by Mickey Turner. Then in stoppage time Robbins missed what on the night had to rank as one of their better chances. Phil Gault’s first touch let him down just after the break and it looked like being costly when at the other end referee Barry Small awarded EP a cheap free kick just outside the box. Richard Carter stepped up and curled the 51st minute dead ball kick inside Joel Harding’s lefthand post.

The reply came 11 minutes later and it was an excellently worked goal. Anthony Hibbert was involved but it was strikers Mark Sheriff and Gault who deserve most of the credit as Gault got to an astute pass from his partner just before Rand and turned the ball in from the angle. After that the match continued to be evenly balanced although it was EP who created the best chances of the match in the closing stages. One of the best was a completely free header that James Rhodes put wide from a cross by Tom Lawley, who just before that had forced a good save at the second attempt from Harding.

Hassocks lost Ashley Marsh to injury as the game entered lengthy stoppage time and that meant Gault dropping back to midfield and Spencer Slaughter moving into defence. EP ensured it was a nervous last few minutes for the visitors as sub Phil Churchill struck a good effort from distance against the bar and then Harding had to save with his legs at the near post. Few, however, would begrudge Robins their point although three successive draws hardly helps their challenge for a lofty finish. Perhaps it is the cups that will at last bear some fruit. There were bookings for Hassocks’ Hibbert, Marsh and Gault as well as EP’s Dan White, whose manager dad Chris was sent from the bench after having a go at a linesman in the second half.

Hassocks: Harding, Turner, Marsh, Lear, Faith, Fisk; Robbins, Slaughter, Hibbert; Sheriff, Gault

Subs: Robinson (Marsh, 84), Thompson, I Simpson, J Simpson (not used)

Man of the Match: The whole of the defence did well but it just goes to Peter Lear