Sussex County League Division
One
Saturday
11th
October
2008
DESPERATE TIMES
FOR ROBINS
Hassocks 3-0
East Grinstead Town
These are worrying times for
Hassocks after they slumped to their fifth league defeat of the
season with Saturday's 3-1 reverse at Pagham. Despite
leading at the interval, their second half performance could
only be described as woeful as they capitulated badly and were
beaten again by two goals in the last five minutes.
A return of nine points from 10
league games can only be described as relegation form and unless
things turn around quickly, the Robins could find themselves in
the unfamiliar position of becoming embroiled in a relegation
dogfight. The passion and fight that was a trademark of recent
Hassocks sides was sadly lacking, as the hosts, missing a number
of regulars, dominated the second half and thoroughly deserved
their victory.
Hassocks started brightly enough,
with Jamie Hillwood forcing an excellent save low to his left by
Rob McLelland.
At the other end, the recalled Paul Williams pulled off a
terrific point blank save to deny Dan Martin, with Stuart Faith
clearing the rebound off the line. Williams then saved with his
feet from Jordan Willis before Hassocks took the lead.
Spencer Slaughter's through ball
was placed past the advancing McLelland by Anthony Hibbert from
the edge of the box with 28 minutes gone. The assistant had
flagged for offside against James Laing but referee Bob Bell
overruled him as Hibbert's run was from an onside position.
Hibbert then fired over the bar and Willis did the same at the
other end.
Pagham equalised on 48 minutes.
Hillwood lost possession midway inside his own half, Martin
squared the ball and the impressive Rob Wimble swept home from
10 yards. With time running it was the pace of Pagham sub
Michael Frangou that undid Robins. On 86 minutes he easily
outpacing Faith before crossing for Wimble to lash home.
Moments earlier Faith had hit the
bar with a header from Hibbert's corner and clearly it was not
going to be Robins' day when Wimble completed his hat-trick by
hammering home a magnificent 30-yarder in stoppage time to send
Hassocks' to successive 3-1 defeats.
Hassocks: Williams, Jacques
(Bird, 65), Marsh, Pitcher, Faith, White, Russell, Slaughter (Eynon,
81), Laing (Bristow, 73), Hibbert, Hillwood.
Middy Starman: not awarded.
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