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
