Sussex County League Division One
Tuesday 30th September 2008
HIBBERT RETURNS TO BEAT TOWN
Hassocks 3-0 East Grinstead Town

The Robins recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over East Grinstead Town, in a fine allround team performance, that pleased John Suter and Mickey Jewell immensely. They dominated from the start, led 2-0 at the interval and never looked in any danger of throwing away 3 points. In fact Jack Simpson had his quietest evening yet in the Robins goal and didn't make a worthwhile save all evening, as the Hassocks back line looked secure.

Anthony Hibbert was restored to the starting line up, as was Glenn Woodburn and Matt Percival was pushed up front to play alongside Matt Russell in place of the injured James Laing. What would have pleased the Hassocks management and indeed the crowd, was the way that the Robins passed it around and their movement and workrate were superb all evening. The Wasps hardly had a kick in the first half and couldnt have complained if they trailed by more at the break. Russell had a shot cleared off the line by Marc Pelling after great work from Percival before taking the lead in the 14th minute. Woodburn's diagonal free kick found Jamie Hillwood who neatly controlled it before pacing into the box and planting a left foot shot into the far corner past Lee Whibley. Russell headed a Hibbert centre wide and on 36 Hassocks doubled their lead, Hibbert curling a low free kick round the wall, leaving the Grinstead keeper well beaten to his left. Hibbert, who has been left out of the starting line up for the past 2 games, responded with his best game of the season and was clearly intent on showing what he could do, as he beavered away in the middle of the park. Spencer Slaughter curled a free kick just wide as Hassocks' domination continued to half time.

The second half was more low key, with Grinstead coming more into the game but they could not get anyway, with Tom White excellent in protecting  the back 3 of Marsh, Woodburn and Faith, who were commanding throughout. Simpson had to parry a free kick from 40 yards into his hands in the Wasps only real effort on goal. Slaughter forced a tip over from Whibley with an excellent half volley before Grinstead were reducded to 10 men on 75, when sub Mannie Neville was sent off for what appeared to be foul and abusive language, although initially he mistakenly sent off Dave Gellatly and only amended his decision thanks to the cries from the stand and the assistant referees flag. Hibbert rounded off things in the 85th minute wiith an exquisite chip over Whibley, who found himself in no man's land after his clearance had been played back in by Slaughter.

A vast improvement on previous home performances that was greeted with renewed enthusiasm by the Hassocks faithful at the end.

Hassocks; Simpson, Jacques, Marsh, Faith, Woodburn, White, Russell (Thomas 82), Slaughter, Percival (Bristow 83), Hibbert, Hillwood (Thompson 88)

Unused subs - Pitcher, P Williams

Middy Starman - sitting on the fence, couldn't pinpoint one person, so goes to the whole team