Hassocks were knocked
out of the League Cup at the first hurdle by second
division Rustington on another frustrating day for
players, management and supporters. The 2-1 defeat
by a competent Rustington outfit was a huge
disappointment, as one realistic assault on
silverware was scuppered immediately.
John Suter returned
from holiday but kept faith with the side that Dave
John had picked twice in his absence. However, they
never really got into their stride and substitute
Craig Cox’s strike on 83 minutes gave the home
side the win and a trip to Wick in the next round.
Hassocks started
quite brightly, Matt Amos just failed to get on the
end of a Laurence Robinson centre and Anthony
Hibbert shot wide. But it was Rustington, who looked
comfortable in possession on a surface that could
have done with a cut, who took the lead on 26
minutes, James Bennett stabbing home from close
range after Jack Simpson had parried an effort from
James Butt. Amos then had a shot blocked before he
netted the equaliser from 3 yards after Rustington
failed to clear a Robinson cross on 32 minutes.
The second period
started with Rustington knocking the ball around at
the back and in midfield without really troubling
the Hassocks back four. But they did have a couple
of decent chances, Simon Clayton curling an effort
just wide and then Stuart Faith blocking on the goal
line from Duncan Barnes, following a huge scramble
from a corner. Matt Russell was booked for dissent
after the referee blew for a drop ball to have a
football removed from the pitch in a children’s
kick about, just as Amos weaved his way into the box
and was about to shoot. Simpson saved from both Joe
Lewis-Cumber and Lee Gibbs before the Rustington
keeper Andy McCarthy made two vital saves from Amos
in the space of a minute. Firstly he denied the
young Robins striker with a point blank reaction
again from a Robinson cross and then smothered on
the goal line after Amos failed to get a good touch
on Russell’s pull back.
Rustington’s winner
from Cox came on 83 minutes. A ball through the
heart of the Hassocks defence found Cox and although
his first effort was blocked he quickly seized on
the rebound to fire home. Immediately he left the
field with a hamstring injury Rustington held on for
a fine victory as Hassocks’ effort petered out,
along with their League Cup dreams for another
season.
Hassocks; Simpson,
White, Fitzgerald (Eynon 84), Pitcher, Woodburn,
Faith, M Russell, Hibbert, Amos (Davy 84), Robinson
(Percival 84), Slaughter
Unused sub; A
Williams
Man of the Match –
Tom White
