Robins back with a win asWestlake strikes early on

Hassocks have played more league games than any other Division 1 side this season but nonetheless they were glad to get back into action after a 17-day enforced break.

The match at East Court on Tuesday was hastily rearranged after being called off on Saturday.

It was a meeting between the two top scoring sides in the division but it turned into a game where chances were at a premium.

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The only goal came after 15 minutes when Nathan Cooper won the ball in midfield and played a clever chip over the top that left Jamie Weston through one-on-one. Weston, starting up front in the absence of Nathan Miles, then drew the keeper and squared the ball to leave James Westlake a simple tap-in.

Weston had to be replaced 11 minutes later after picking up an injury.

After that the hosts enjoyed plenty of possession but rarely troubled a solid Robins back line, being restricted to shooting from distance and pumping hopeful crosses into the box.

In the second half the game developed into a midfield stalemate, with Grinstead only creating one notable chance late on when Sinclair rounded keeper Simon Lehkyj but was pushed wide and failed to hit the target.

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That came on 80 minutes, just after the visitors had missed a great chance to seal the victory. Cooper was fouled after a surging run into the box but the league’s leading scorer Phil Gault slammed the spot kick against the bar.

This Saturday Hassocks entertain Ringmer and on Monday have a holiday derby at St Francis Rangers.

Hassocks: Lehkyj; South, Marsh, Faith, Bryant; Westlake, Hibbert, Cooper, Butler; Weston, Gault. Subs: Cooper (Weston, 26), Brown (Cooper, 70), John (Westlake, 85).

Middy Starman: Nathan Cooper, plenty of important tackles in midfield and a threat going forward.