FA Challenge Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 22nd September 2007
ROBINS BACK ON TRACK IN VASE VICTORY
Eastbourne United Association 2-4 Hassocks

After 2 successive defeats, Hassocks got back on track with an excellent and thoroughly deserved 4-2 win at Eastbourne United Association. This sets up a clash in the 1^st round proper of the FA Vase with old adversaries, Ash United, who are having a fine season in the Combined Counties League.

For once, the Robins were on their game from the start and took the lead in the 3^rd minute, Matt Amos prodding home a Phil Gault flick on from Joel Harding’s long kick. Matt Robbins doubled the Hassocks lead on 16 minutes, with a neat shot into the corner after a fine turn, following good work from Mickey Turner and Gault. It could have been 3 a minute later, Gault firing over, with the United defence all at sea. A fine move involving Gault, Anthony Hibbert and Turner saw Robbins blaze over when well placed, whilst at the other end Harding saved easily from a long distance Mark Warren effort. The Robins back 3 of Faith, Lear and Marsh, which had under-performed against both Hailsham and Worthing United, looked a lot more secure and United rarely threatened in a half which Hassocks totally dominated. Hibbert’s thunderbolt from 15 yards ricocheted off the underside of the bar just before the break to keep United in the game.

At half time United brought on the giant Drew Greenall and his physical presence caused Hassocks problems in an opening 15-minute period dominated by the home side. They halved the lead on 54 minutes with a well-worked goal from Warren, the home striker heading home powerfully from Sam Crabb’s cross. Warren and Greenall both went close as Hassocks struggled to gain the upper hand. However on 64 minutes it was 3-1, Amos got behind the back of Reece Head and Joe Haffenden and the young Robins striker’s crisp volley from 18 yards beat the despairing Sam Reed in the United goal. Reed immediately went off with a back injury, as did Amos. Faith headed over a Hibbert corner and Gault curled an effort just over the bar with sub keeper James Furman beaten. Harding was then replaced by Phil Wickwar, after aggravating a hamstring injury. Wickwar could do nothing to stop Crabb’s fierce shot with 5 minutes remaining but almost immediately Hassocks restored the two-goal lead, Gault nodding in from close range from Turner’s excellent centre. It was a thoroughly entertaining encounter both sides deserving praise for trying to play football on a difficult surface.

Team; Harding, Turner, Fisk, Marsh, Lear, Faith, Robbins, Slaughter, Hibbert, Gault, Amos

Sub: Thompson (Amos 66), Newington (Slaughter 88), Wickwar (Harding 74), Simpson (unused)

Starman: Great all-round team performance, but just goes to Matt Robbins, industrious and busy throughout