Sussex County League Reserve Premier Division
Saturday 03rd March 2007
HASSOCKS DIG OUT RESULT TO CLOSE GAP ON LEAGUE LEADERS
Ringmer 1-3 Hassocks

Hassocks were lucky enough to play their third game in a row without a postponement on Saturday. The Hosts were bottom of the league Ringmer who have so far failed to win a game all season, However this game was not to be taken lightly. The first task though was getting to the venue in one piece, keeping up with Wicker's Rally driving was proving difficult in Ternouth's granny mobile and several near death experiences almost prevented three players from doing so. 

A few changes to the starting line up from the disappointing cup exit at the hands of Uckfield on Monday saw some second team regulars come back into the side. Ternouth returned from University to replace the injured Simpson who was out with a Hamstring injury. Jacques replaced the injured Gault up front and a full debut for Michael Bates saw him come in for Matt Robbins in Centre Midfield. Nathan Harvey stepped into the right lung back position to replace Dawson who was dropped to the first team bench. Richard Thompson was also set to come back into the side but a unexpected plumbing emergency saw him delayed meaning Mark Darbs got another chance to prove himself on the left hand side. As the First team game was again called off due to bad weather, we were blessed with a vigorous warm up session from Paul Thorpe, although tactical substitutions were being considered for the already knackered Wils and Huzzy before the game had started. 

Despite a good warm up, Hassocks started slowly for the second week in a row, absorbing pressure through Long balls played down the slope pounding at the back five. Only 5 minutes had passed before Ringmer broke the deadlock. After breaking down the left hand side and playing the ball square across the 18 yard box, the Hassocks defence failed to close down the oncoming striker who struck the ball straight down the middle, past young Simpson in the hassocks goal who failed to see it until late. Corner after Corner Ringmer continued to attack the hassocks goal which lead to the Injury of Alex Ternouth after a superb block . Much to the disgust of Dusty, the worry of his mother and to the hilarity of the rest of the squad at half time. 

Boggy at both ends the Pitch made it difficult for either side to play good football. Much of the football was played around the middle of the park, with the ball getting held up and caught under feet which was perfectly demonstrated by Husbands around the 20 minute mark. Husbands had collected the ball in defence and saw the gap open up for a run down the middle. At what he thought was great speed he reached the half way line only to fall over, flat on his face with the Ringmer midfield breaking quickly with the ball that he left behind. After half an hour legs were already beginning to tire, which showed more in the Ringmer defence, After failing to clear their lines Batesy intercepted a pass out wide and proceeded to break forward at speed. Thomas broke away at the far past but as Bates tired amongst the Bog his shot/pass went past the far post with Thomas unable to reach. It was only a few minutes later when Darbyshire broke down the left side. His vision was good and sent Thomas through on the inside with one defender to beat, with a little help from the confused defender who failed to clear his lines, Thomas fired a powerful shot past the keeper from 20 yards to make it 1-1. 

The rest of the first half and the first 15 minutes of the second half passed without too many incidents, Churchy and Wilson were very much involved in the midfield battle which left the Lively Bates to link up with Jacques and Thomas which seemed to break down far to often. Despite this hassocks were starting to create chances and looked a lot livelier. Thompson then arrived and replaced the tired Darbyshire on the left hand side as hassocks began to push forward. A short corner taken by Wilson to Harvey down the right hand side who put a good ball in the box only for the keeper to parry it 8 yards out, where the waiting HUSBANDS was on hand to slice the ball into the top of the net to make it 2-1, shrieks of amazement more than celebrations followed. 

Thomas was replaced by the eagerly awaiting Robinson with 15 minutes to go and it didn't take him long to get into the action, After old man Wilson hurt is back in a challenge he was put up front where he could do no damage and the versatile Jacques took his place to sure up the midfield. It wasn't long before Jacques had thread a perfectly executed pass to send Crouchy on his way, who only managed to pass it back to the Ringer keeper. After another through ball from Wilson, Robinson broke away only to push the ball too far in front of him. With the keeper scrambling out Robinson proceeded and as it was clear he wasn't to make it, a sniper struck and Robinson hit the ground as the keeper slid in front of him to collect the ball. Hassocks Continued to pressure with good link up play between Harvey and Robinson down the left hand side, Robinson unselfishly slotted Jacques square with only the keeper to beat he shot straight at him. The Ringmer defence tried to clear but only reached the head of Andy Wilson, who from 18 yards and a bad back manage to lob the Goalkeeper and two defenders to make in 3-1.

Although not a great performance a fantastic result, Congratulations to Michael Bates who was easily man of the match on his first 2nd team debut.

Jacquesy