Sussex County League Reserve Premier Division
Saturday 25th November 2006
COOKE GOAL SINKS EASTBOURNE
Eastbourne Town 0-1 Hassocks

Hassocks had a great win at last seasons champions Eastbourne Town thanks a single goal from Lee Cooke after they did did Eastbourne a massive favour for them last year by stopping Crowborough in the last game of the season to allow Eastbourne to snatch the title.

After some heavy rain the pitch was in really good condition and Hassocks were boosted by the return of Stuart Faith after a long lay-off and Joel Harding due to Phil Wickwar having a shoulder problem. The game was fast paced and Hassocks started brightly and had some early corners that put pressure on the Town goal but Brian Husbands and Ian Simpson could not take advantage. 

After a good start the Robins were forced into an early change when Faith broke down with the same knee problem after just 12 minutes. Joint manager Mickey Jewell decided that joint player manager Wickwar was his best option as Mark Darbyshire had left his shirt in the dressing room. Wickwar played in midfield with the reliable Andy Wilson and Ian Dawson.

Hassocks pressed in the first half and Cooke should have got a shot away as both he and Laurence Robinson caused trouble up top and worked well and Nathan Harvey was put in wide by Wickwar but his cross was missed by all. Harding wasn't really troubled in the first half and Hassocks should have done more in front of goal but went in at half time at 0-0 having had slightly more of the play.

Second half Eastbourne upped there tempo and forced Harding into a couple of routine saves. The home team were enjoying more possession than Hassocks and Harding saved brilliantly at the feet of a town player which seemed to spur the visitors on

Robinson deftly flicked the ball on for Cooke to outpace the defence and finish off at the second time of asking before Hassocks caught Town on the break when Robinson beat three challenges and the keeper made a one-on-one save when he should have squared it for a tap in for Cooke.

Hassocks then lost sub Wickwar to a knee injury that looks like it will keep him out for a few weeks (RELIEF!). Darbyshire replaced him and forced a save by Town keeper from a header. Cooke then put Wilson in and his thunderbolt shot from 18 yards beat the keeper but clipped the top of the bar.

In the last ten minutes Town were encamped in the Hassocks half but could not get past the solid defence of Husbands, Alex Ternouth and Simpson. The Robins will need to improve on there ball retention in games to come and need a couple more wins to keep in touch with the leaders in the next few weeks.

Thanks to the travelling army of Hassocks support, must have been in double figures.

Wickers