Hassocks take improved league form into RUR Cup

It turns out the Hassocks revival is not just restricted to league football. The Robins are into the quarter finals of the Sussex RUR Charity Cup after beating Crawley Down Gatwick 2-1 at the Beacon.

Nothing could separate the sides over 90 even minutes which ebbed and flowed, played out in rain and then gradually descending mist.

Extra time was necessary after things finished 0-0, a scoreline which normally accompanies tedious games of football.

This though was anything but boring and nobody was complaining about an extra half hour, especially the fan on the sidelines heard to say: “Excellent, a bonus 30 minutes away from my missus.”

The Robins’ struggles in the opening three months of the season are fast becoming a distant memory: they have won four, drawn three and lost only two of their last nine.

Key players are returning - and they do not come much more key than Jack Troak.

The Hassocks captain scored both goals against Down in an energetic performance down the left flank in which he did not give his former teammate Harvey Blake a moment’s peace.

After that goalless but entertaining 90 minutes, it did not come as too much of a surprise when Hassocks took the lead six minutes into the additional 30.

Lewis Westlake was scythed down in the box as he jinked towards goal and Troak confidently despatched the resulting penalty.

That seemed to shake Down into life. Within five minutes of Troak’s opener, ex-Robin Harvey Enticknap headed on a free kick for fellow substitute Ben Chowney to bundle home an equaliser.

Hassocks were lucky not to concede a penalty right on the stroke of half time in extra time. Leslie was caught in the box but his theatrical scream led the referee to believe the Down forward was making a mountain out of a molehill and so play was waved on.

There were a couple of further hairy moments for the Robins to navigate. They were especially grateful for Alex Harris making a superb stop to his right to keep out a Nick Sullivan shot before Troak won it for Hassocks with five minutes left.

James Westlake turned over possession in midfield, releasing Troak with a defence splitting pass.

The captain raced clear and beat Bellingham with a low, hard effort.