Sussex County League Reserve Section Challenge Cup Third Round
Friday 19th January 2007
RAMPANT ROBINS MARCH INTO LAST EIGHT
Hassocks 4-1 Whitehawk

A rampant Robins blew the Hawks away with a scintillating display to book a quarter final place away to Lancing. After a late pitch inspection the game was given the go ahead by the match referee, but in all honesty the game was never in doubt and much credit has to be given to groundsman Alan John for producing a great surface.  A few changes were made by the management team Mickey Jewell and Phil Wickwar, with Dan Jacques replacing Laurence Robinson up front. Spencer Slaughter came in to midfield and Alex Ternouth replaced Wickwar who was on baby alert after his partners waters had broken. 

Hassocks started confidently against a good Whitehawk side that are second in the league. They soon took the lead that their start deserved when Slaughter released Ian Dawson down the right and his brilliant far post cross was met by Richard Thomas who set up Dan Jacques for an easy finish from eight yards for his fourth goal in two games. Hassocks then took their foot off the gas as Dawson made an unforced error to which Whitehawk punished when the left winger for the Hawks produced a fantastic far post cross for the forward to nod home. 

This seemed to galvanize Hassocks and the midfield trio of Ian Church, Andy Wilson and Slaughter were bossing the game and soon they were in front. After some neat build up play, the ball came to Slaughter on the edge of the box and left footed he calmly passed the ball high and wide of the keeper into the roof of the net. Hassocks had clearly learnt from going a goal up and conceding straight away and were still pressing and soon went 3 -1 up after a brilliant run from the impressive Slaughter, he held off the Hawks defence to square it to Thomas to tap in the empty net. 

Second half Hassocks knew that it would be harder into the wind but they didn't let Whitehawk get going. The defence handled anything the Hawks threw at them, with young Jack Simpson in goal again impressing. Hassocks should have scored again after a great deep Wilson corner was met by skipper Brian Husbands who should have scored but again failed to hit the target and not even Huzzy could offer any excuse. Hassocks kept the Hawks out of the game and soon Hawks lost their heads and it was only a matter of time before the Robins scored again. Church played a great reverse pass which slid Dawson in and his cross missed the three Hassocks players all sliding in after each other, then Church produced a great bit of skill in front of the but his finish was poor. 

Laurence Robinson replaced Jacques and soon "Crouchy" was on the score sheet after his sliced cross some how evaded the Hawks keeper to find the net. Hassocks saw out the game with ease and managers Jewell and Wickwar were delighted and in fairness a young side outplayed there higher placed opponents from start to finish! 

Great result and good performance which Hassocks will have to take on to their next game at home on Saturday 27th to Hastings. The Robins have resigned Tom Stripp from St Francis and soon hope to have Dicky Fernley back from injury Graeme Beveridge available soon which can only be good news for the squad!

Wickers