Sussex County League Division 1
Saturday 11th August 2007
ROBINS BREAK ARUNDEL HOODOO
Arundel 0-2 Hassocks

Arundel away on opening day – not the greatest trip for Hassocks, as the Mullets have been a real thorn in their side over the years. However, on this day, the Robins rode their luck, weathered a bit of a storm in the second half and finished strongly to record a hard fought 2-0 win in baking conditions at Mill Road.

Not many of the 50 or so supporters who made the trip to Mill Road, could remember the last time Hassocks won there, so it was a bit of a surprise that the Robins came away with maximum points, thanks to a real poachers goal from Phil Gault and a crisp Anthony Hibbert volley in stoppage time.

The match started at a frantic pace and there could have been 4 goals in the opening 15 minutes. Matt Huckett was twice denied by the impressive Joel Harding, firstly low down to his right and then with his legs. At the other end Sam Fisk scooped over from inside the 6-yard box after great work from Matt Robbins and Gault headed over a Mickey Turner cross with the goal gaping. Dave Towers picked up a booking for dissent after just 4 minutes, whilst later in the half, Ashley Marsh followed him into Bob Bell’s notebook for a challenge on Dave Walker, as did Chris Hibberd for a poor challenge on Turner In between, Chris Brown headed a Hibberd header off the line and Walker tried an audacious shot from the halfway line which Harding watched sail wide. Half time arrived with the Robins fans relieved to turn around level.

Within a minute of the restart, Gault had tested Ben O’Connor with a rasping 30-yard effort and on 51 minutes the Robins striker gave the visitors the lead. Harding’s free kick from the centre circle was left by both Lloyd Walker and Jason Wimbleton and Gault’s sharpness saw him nip in front of O’Connor and tuck the ball home. It was certainly a “route one” goal but praise to Gault for assessing the situation quickly. Arundel continued to play some good football, keeping the ball on the deck and utilising the wing backs, Dave Hall and Alex Duncan, but in truth they had very few shots to trouble Harding. Harding was dominate coming for crosses that were thrown into the box and the back five of Turner, Fisk, Lear, Marsh and Brendan Leahy held firm. When the ball did beat Harding from a Wimbleton header, Brown was again on hand to clear off the line. Mark Sheriff replaced Matt Amos and his half volley flashed wide.

Deep into injury time, Gault chested down a Richard Thompson throw and his pass found the unmarked Hibbert who crisply volleyed past O’Connor to seal victory, with the Arundel players converging on the assistant appealing for offside.

Hassocks: Harding, Turner, Fisk, Marsh, Lear, Leahy, Robbins, Brown, Hibbert, Gault, Amos

Subs: Sheriff (Amos 74), Thompson (Brown 77), Hewitt, Newington (unused)

Starman: A good all round team performance but goes to Phil Gault, opportunist important first goal and tracked back tirelessly when needed to help out the midfield