Hassocks
thirds went top of the table following a
fine win in their
second
game of the season, away to Balcombe who had
already beaten the top two from last
year.
Thanks
to further availability it was great to see
the return of Husbands, Dicky Fernley
and Ian Church from their summer hols.
All
three had been regulars in the reserve team last
year and they provided some extra class to
the team that had won the week
before.
Again
Jason Gander was excellent in goal as the
team enjoyed a second clean sheet. Its
difficult to lose when you don't let in any
goals said Cloughie and this certainly makes
a difference to a team who let in on average
2.5 goals a game last season.
The
game was tight for much of the game and
although Hassocks created a couple of good
chances, Balcombe also threatened. Similar
to last week, Hassocks scored early on in
the second half when Tom Green came up for a
free kick and the excellent flighted ball
found Green who volleyed home.
The goalkeeper was probably a little
disappointed with his effort but it was
great news for Hassocks. The all important
second goal should have come but again missed
chances kept the supporting Hassocks crowd
(eight people) on tenterhooks!
With
the introduction of Tom Barnes and Jordan
Sriharan, Hassocks never looked like
conceding and 90 seconds from the end, a
long clearance from Husbands flew over the
goalies head and made it 2-0. Husbands was
heard after the game 'how he saw the goalie
off the line and calmly lobbed him!'
Balcombe
pressed forward for a consolation goal but
Hassocks scored again on the break when
Miles found the corner to give Hassocks a
convincing 3-0 win. This may have flattered
us but then again there have been games in
the past where we haven't had much luck.
Masky
Hassocks:
Gander, Jacques, Hillwood, Ternouth,
Husbands, Green; Church, Goulden, Fernley;
Kitchen, Miles
Subs: Barnes,
Sriharan, McCarthy
