Sussex County League Division 1
Tuesday 25th September 2007
HIBBERT THUNDERBOLT EARNS ROBINS SHARE OF SPOILS
Three Bridges 1-1 Hassocks

A sensational 88^th minute 30 yard thunderbolt from Anthony Hibbert gave Hassocks a well deserved 1-1 draw at Three Bridges, in a match that they could and should have won. It was a magnificent strike from the Robins midfielder who said afterwards “ it was probably the best one I have ever hit”. And it needed to be a super shot to beat 6’8” goalkeeper Stuart Robinson, who kept his side in the game with a couple of fine stops.

Hassocks dominated the first half, with Hibbert twice going close with long range efforts, the first one beating Robinson but passing just past the post. Amos’s cross shot went under the body of Robinson but was cleared to safety before Phil Gault could get there. Hassocks coped admirably with the lively front line of Jack McNab and Greg Palmer but had a let off in the 44^th minute, when the former stabbed home from close range but referee Small had seen an infringement on Ashley Marsh and ruled the goal out.

A good move involving Fisk, Hibbert and Gault, saw Amos flash a header wide from Gault’s cross, whilst Harding parried away a McNab snap shop. Bridges liked to keep possession but hardly got anywhere with it and at times it seemed as if they wanted to score the “perfect goal” by walking the ball into the net instead of shooting. Hassocks players were angered at some of the antics of the home side, with Hasan Nyang, sub Warren Whitley and in particular Nathan Davis, guilty of some outrageous “simulation”. The Robins’ best chance of the half fell to Hibbert who was denied by the long leg of Robinson as his left foot shot headed for the corner. Stuart Faith then tested the Bridges keeper, who fumbled his shot but again no one was following up as they dominated the second period. The Robins then picked up 4 bookings, Faith, Marsh and Hibbert for dissent and Amos for a foul.

In the 85^th minute, Bridges were awarded a controversial penalty when Davis went down under Faith’s challenge, although it was difficult to tell whether any proper contact had been made, as Davis had been diving so much during the game. Liam Ahearne sent Harding the wrong way from the spot kick and it looked as if Hassocks had been the victims of a mugging. However, up stepped Hibbert with his superb strike into the top corner to give Hassocks another point on their travels but rueing the opportunity to gain a precious away win.

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

Unused subs: Thompson, Newington, Leahy, Wickwar

Man of the Match: The whole team for a stirring effort