A Meltdown in the South Downs for Town

Town travelled to Hassocks on Saturday to close off the 2022/23 season. Hassocks looked to build on a win against Lingfield to finish in the top 10 for the first time in 9 years. Town looked to end their season on the high following a poor few games loosing against United and Newhaven and drawing to Peacehaven.

Last time these sides faced each other, Town were edged out by Hassocks on a cold valentines night. Town made two changes, moving Finlay Tarrant to right back and Leon Greig back into midfield.

The half began with some anxious defending from Town and the ball in the net for Hassocks. It looked as though the hosts had taken a lead until the referee put his flag up for offside.  Hassocks then had a shot forcing Winterton into a save. Twn forced a save out of opposition goalkeeper, James shaw. In the first 10 minutes, possession was fairly equal with Town growing into the game after the disallowed goal scare.

Holman slotted one into the net, but just like down the other end, the flag went up for offside. Town charged forwards once again, Holman forced the keeper into a save before Greig tried to score on the rebound but no success. Moments later, Hassocks charged up the pitch and scored, and this time it counted.

Town were 1-0 down once again for the third time in 3 games. The game went into a lull as neither team had any form of creation. It was almost as if both teams were playing for formalities. Town went in at the break losing 1-0. 

The second half did not start with improvement for Town with Hassocks controlling the ball within their own half and firing in a few set pieces. Holman looked like the only Town player with any sort of threat going forwards. Hassocks forced a save by Winterton at the near post with a low shot from Joe Bull. Following that, the subsiquent corner, Hassocks had a long shot from Jack Troak which rocketed into the back of the net to make it 2-0 to The Robbins.

Town looked to respond with a cross sent in by Leon Greig but Holman fired it way over. Tarrant, was replaced by Samways who looked to boost the attacking threat. Then Barlow was brought on giving town now a largely attacking side. This gung-ho approach was towns last chance to get something from this game. Town looked to be growing in the game. The ref then had more glares as Davies was barrelled over by Troak. Town began to look hopeless despite all the attacking players.

The game had yet another lull as neither side looked like they were proficient in attack. It looked as though it was going to be an unceremonious end to an overall successful season for Town as we entered the final 10 minutes. Things got worse, Sisimayi commits a foul and received a booking. This gave Hassocks a perfect opportunity to make it towns second 3-0 loss of the season. And indeed they did with a smart play and a poor pass from Murphy leaving Leon Turner open who placed it top right hand corner to make it 3-0 to the Robbins.

Moments later, Town found the net for a consolation goal with Barlow executing a perfect touch and chip over James Shaw to make it 3-1. The celebrations were shortlived and things went from bad to worse as Alex Brewer was left open in the box who headed it home for Hassocks to make it 4-1.

With that the 2022/23 season came to a close. On the sunny South Downs, the season ended with a poor run of 3 defeats on the bounce but overall foundations were built with a completely new, young and talented side with a bright future ahead.