John O'Hara League Cup 1st Round
Saturday 13th September 2008
CUP SHOCKER FOR RAGGED ROBINS
Rustington 2-1 Hassocks

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