First win in 11 as Hassocks progress in FA Vase

A first win in 11 and a useful £800 were put in the bank by Hassocks on Saturday as they saw off fellow County League Division One side Broadbridge Heath 2-1 in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase.
Football. Sussex League. Hassocks v Broadbridge Heath. Action from the match. Picture Liz Pearce. 
LP041014FH13 SUS-140410-201833008Football. Sussex League. Hassocks v Broadbridge Heath. Action from the match. Picture Liz Pearce. 
LP041014FH13 SUS-140410-201833008
Football. Sussex League. Hassocks v Broadbridge Heath. Action from the match. Picture Liz Pearce. LP041014FH13 SUS-140410-201833008

Heath arrived at the Beacon without a recognised goalkeeper with all four of their registered shot stoppers injured or unavailable – a scenario that will resonate with Hassocks given their own trials and tribulations so far this season – and were forced into playing defender Andy Howard between the sticks.

And the Robins took full advantage to book their place in the first round proper and a first ever meeting with South East Counties League outfit Corinthian on November 1st.

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Hassocks welcomed back Ashley Marsh, Dan Jacques, Phil Johnson, Dan Stokes and Nathan Miles and handed a debut to new signing from East Grinstead Town Bradley Bant.

The increase in quality in Dave John’s starting 11 told after just five minutes, Johnson racing onto a through ball to convert from close range.

Merv Bhujun saw a header deflected onto a post after that for the visitors before Nick Pitcher doubled the advantage deep into first half injury time, smashing home a penalty with aplomb.

Sam Brock denied Heath’s Jake Legrange twice in quick succession five minutes into the second period and Hassocks should have been home and dry when a slip in the visiting defence offered a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 but Howard did well to advance from his line and clear.

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That miss nearly came back to haunt the Robins as Sav Bidgood somehow managed to hit the bar with a header when it appeared easier to score and Heath made it a nervy last ten minutes for the home side as Bidgood fired through a crowd of players from the edge of the box for 2-1.

The visitors threw everything but the kitchen sink at Hassocks after that, hitting the bar again and then in the dying seconds Howard came up for a corner and won the header, only to see it hacked off the line as John’s side hung on for a much needed and battling victory.

Hassocks: Brock; Jacques, Pitcher, Gathern, Marsh; Stokes, Bant, Robbins, G Brown; Johnson, Miles.

Subs: Czech, Price, Davess (used), Booth, P Wickwar (unused).

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