Sussex County League Division 1
Saturday 27th February 2010
REIGNING CHAMPIONS DEFEAT ROBINS
Eastbourne United Association 2-0 Hassocks

IT WAS a case of role reversal from seven days earlier as the hosts emerged worthy winners of Saturday’s clash on a lumpy, bumpy pitch that did little for the cause of good football. Home boss Brian Dennis made seven changes from the team humbled 6-0 at Arundel the previous week, while Hassocks boss Dave John was still missing plenty of players as his team arrived on the back of an excellent but unlikely 2-0 win at home to Hailsham.

The visiting boss was pleased to have the combative and talismanic Stuart Faith back from injury but the Robins defence was caught cold just two minutes in when Tyler Goatcher’s low cross from the right was missed by Shane Saunders but fell kindly for former Burgess Hill striker Steve Dallaway to fire in firmly.

That effort apart, it was a dreary first half, designed to send the 55 spectators to sleep as both sides struggled to control a bobbling ball on an uneven surface. But at least it was better for the hosts after the break as they ran the show and will count themselves unfortunate not to run up a bigger margin of victory.

In the opening minutes a Ben Billings corner was pushed on to the bar by keeper Jack Simpson and that sparked an almight melee before the ball was finally scrambled to safety. Simon Stevens, a tower of strength in the heart of the home defence, was fractionally off target after a neat touch by Saunders and Eastbourne were then denied a cast-iron penalty when Simpson clattered into Billings when the home player appeared to have got a through ball under control. But a second goal arrived on 63 minutes when an immaculate cross by Rafal Ciupinski was headed in by Stevens. Initially it seemed as if Dallaway had got the final touch but it was later confirmed the ball was already over the line.

Home sub Brad Manton was denied by Simpson from a one-on-one but at the other Sam Jeremiah had a ‘goal’ ruled out for offside. So instead of a nervous finale for the home side, they continued to dominate and a superb effort by Stevens came back off the bar, while Dallaway was inches over with another effort.

Dave John said: “I thought after that early goal, we were well in it in the first half and had a decent couple of chances. But they were certainly the better team after the break. “They are a good team who play on a poor pitch and so they are forced to just lump it forward.”

Hassocks: J Simpson; Jacques, Marsh, O’Callaghan, Faith, Thompson; Clark, Gault, Hibbert; Laing, Jeremiah.  

Subs: Miles (Laing, 70), Bowra (Hibbert, 72).

Middy Starman: Skipper Ashley Marsh was outstanding in the visiting defence.