Hassocks crash out of Senior Cup against Bexhill United

The Robins first half display would have had their travelling fans thinking it was going to be plain sailing but they paid for missed chances and were hit with two sucker punches from their Division Two hosts.

Hassocks have a history of struggling against lower division opponents in cup competitions, with Little Common, East Preston, Seaford Town and Rustington all having pillaged them while plying their trade in the County League’s second tier in the last six years.

Yet their first half display would have left the visiting supporters thinking it was going to be plain sailing but a succession of missed chances and two sucker punches proved to be enough to end Dave John’s sides interest in the county cups for this season.

They started brightly, hitting the bar as early as the 10th minute through a rasping 40 yard free kick from Mark Price on his first start of the campaign and five minutes later Nick Pitcher hit the post with a header from another Price set piece although the linesman’s flag was raised.

The Robins took a deserved lead half an hour into the tie, Ashley Marsh finding himself in nose bleed territory after bombing forward from left back to challenge a Aaron Czech cross and from the lose ball, Nathan Miles finished neatly for his first goal in over a year.

Further chances came the way of Price and Czech also missed a chance when it seemed easier to score while the final action of the half saw Phil Johnson fire a canon of a shot which just sailed over the bar.

Hassocks continued to press and create chances, but their profligacy was punished on 66 minutes when Morgan beat the offside trap and rounded Brock to finish past Jacques who did all he could to try and keep the ball out.

Bexhill were reduced to 10 men when Munday received his second caution of the evening for a rash tackle on Miles.

But as Hassocks pushed for a winner they were undone in similar fashion to the first goal as a long ball over the top again saw Morgan race clear and finish neatly past the on rushing Brock.

It was all hands on deck for the Robins after that as they threw everything they had at United including a first team debut for youth teamer Cam Williams but they were unable to capitalise on several half chances late on.

Hassocks: Brock; Jacques, Pitcher, Gathern, Marsh; Czech, Bant, Price, Johnson; Booth, Miles.

Subs: Williams (Czech), Benson, Lesbirel, P Wickwar (unused).

Starman: Mark Price worked tirelessly all evening, creating good opportunities throughout.