Hassocks win Fred Pretty Veterans Cup for first time since 2013

Nothing could separate the two teams over the course of 90 minutes as they played out a 0-0 draw, after which the Robins held their nerve to convert all of their penalties to win 5-4 from the dreaded 12 yard scenario.

Oak arrived at Burgess Hill with a 100% record in the Mid Sussex League’s veterans section having won Group B with four wins from four and progressing through the quarter and semi finals with ease.

In fact, there only defeat this season came in the County Cup to eventual runners up Eastbourne Town and they were marginally the better side in this final.

Not that there was much in it as both sides attacks struggled to break down two stubborn defences with the Hassocks backline in particular impressing given the fact that against a huge Mile Oak side, at times the battle resembled something out of Lord of the Rings with the hobbits taking on a set of giants.

On the rare occasions that Oak did get through they found Phil Wickwar in the Hassocks goal in inspired form, two brilliant saves in particular keeping his side in it and doing enough to earn one half of the first team management duo the man of the match accolade come the full time whistle.

The Robins had chances of their own to win the game in regulation time, Jason McNaboe hitting an effort straight at the Oak goalkeeper when well placed and Steve Spies fluffing his lines when presented with a one-on-one chance.

And so it went to the drama of spot kicks. Given the trials and tribulations the Robins first team have had in scoring penalties this season with three misses to their name, the current squad could do a lot worse than watch back the tape of their veteran counterparts success from the spot as they netted all five.

Top scorer James Laing led the way by converting the first and he was followed by Wickwar, Nick Newman, Mark Dalgleish and finally player manager Spies who smashed home with aplomb to secure Hassocks some silverware for the season.

Hassocks: Wickwar; Fogden, Newman, Gaston, Bennett; Wilkins, Trower, Wilson; McNaboe, Spies, Laing.

Subs: G Smith, A Smith, Dalgleish, Kelly, Handley (used).

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