Anyone used to watching games at
the back end of the season could hardly have been
disappointed with Tuesday's 2-2 draw between Hassocks and Ringmer, which was far from a classic but under the
circumstances was watchable enough. Considering
there was only pride at stake and Hassocks, in particular,
were without a host of regular first choices, the teams
managed to put on a game that held the attention to the end.
The hosts twice led but were
swiftly pegged back and even in a
goalless second half there was always the distinct
possibilty of another goal at either end. Even if the
players had given less than value, there was never any
chance of Ringmer boss Steve Johnson not treating it with
anything less than full passion. It is only a pity his
obvious full-blooded love affair with the game clearly lacks
measure on occasions. He entered into an unsavoury slanging
match with a home supporter before eventually being hauled
back to the dugout by sub Aaron MacMillan and along with
equally vocal assistant Paul Thomsett gave the officials
another testing time.
Robins gave Sol Bowra his
first senior outing and he did well in a back line that
included youngster Ian Simpson and veteran Chris Hewitt.
Dave John seems to be able to pluck central defenders from
anywhere and Bowra's ability was not lost on the man due to
take over from the long-serving boss at the end of the
season. Mickey Jewell certainly knows plenty of the current
first team squad as they lean heavily on reserve players.
Hassocks were awarded a somewhat soft penalty on seven
minutes when a linesman ruled a Ringmer defender
deliberately handled the ball and Spencer Slaughter put his
last penalty miss behind him by converting comfortably.
Unfortunately for the hosts,
the lead lasted only another seven minutes as Joe Dryer's
neat cross from the left was put away in excellent
goalpoaching fashion by Marc Whiteman, who has made quite a
reputation for himself this season and could well be offered
the chance to move up a notch next season. A minute later
Slaughter tried his luck with a first-time strike and the
bounce almost did for Jack Stern. The young Ringmer keeper
did enough to put off Richard Thomas when he opted to chest
the ball down when put clean in on goal by Richard
Thompson's splendid pass but a minute later Stern was left
with egg on his face after Thomas showed better judgement.
The ball broke to him after
good work by Laurence Robinson and the first-time shot
caught Stern back pedalling and making a hash of his
attempted save. That was on 29 minutes and this time the
lead lasted only four minutes as Whiteman again showed his
predatory instincts with a neat finish on the turn in a
crowded box. Both sides had chances after the break, Harding
saving with his feet from Whiteman and at the other end
Simpson going close with a couple of set-piece headers but
there were no more goals and a draw was just about the right
result.
Hassocks: Harding; Turner,
Hewitt, Bowra, Simpson, Thompson; Bates, Brown, Slaughter;
Thomas, Robinson.
Subs: Murray,
Newington, Williams, Johnson (unused)
Starman: Chris Brown,
valuable if unspectacular role in midfield
