Sussex County
Youth League Central Division
Thursday
07th
September
2006
INJURY
NIGHTMARE RUINS OPENER
Southwick
2-1 Hassocks
Old
Barn Way has never been a happy hunting ground
for Hassocks Youth teams in the past, and last
Thursday was no exception as the reigning league
champions began their title defence with a
defeat.
The
evening got off to a bad start when influential
captain Mike Goulden pulled out of the match
during the warm up with an injury sustained
playing for the third team the previous
Monday.
Hassocks
started the game well with a reshuffled team
when Laurence Robinson opened his account for
the season with a superbly taken goal after only
five minutes. The game continued to be a close
affair, with all the early chances falling to
the Robins, which were not converted into
goals.
As
the game wore on, Hassocks found themselves
defending their one goal advantage more and
more. Late into the second half, Hassocks were
forced to make a substitution when wing back
James Earwicker was unable to continue due to
injury. Nick Boutal came on to take his
place.
Hassocks
slender lead failed to make it to half time,
when just before the break Southwick equalised
when the Robins failed with a poor headed
clearance which was promptly fired into the net
from 25 yards.
The
injury jinx continued when at half time Adam
Pattison withdrew and was replaced by Jamie
Hillwood. The second half continued to be an
even affair with chances created at both ends,
but then fate took a hand when a further injury
to Logan Newington meant a further change and he
was replaced by Pat Rose.
Worse
was to come with 20 minutes to go when Nick
Boutal sustained a serious leg fracture and the
game was stopped for 40 minutes awaiting an
ambulance to take Nick to hospital. Having used
all their substitutes, the young Robins had to
complete the last 20 minutes of the game with
only ten players.
Despite
a tremendous amount of effort and courage
Hassocks were unable to keep a share of the
points that they deserved and succumbed to a
late winner from Southwick in the last four
minutes of the match.
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