Routine Robins win just what the doctor ordered after the anarchy of August Bank Holiday weekend

After two chaotic draws in the space of 48 hours across the August Bank Holiday Weekend, this routine 4-0 win for Hassocks against Southern Combination Premier Division newcomers Billingshurst was just what the doctor ordered.

There was no repeat of the goal-laden carnage of the 4-4 draw at East Grinstead Town last Saturday. Nor did the Robins have to play for over 80 minutes with only 10 men because of some truly baffling refereeing, as was the case in the goalless stalemate against AFC Varndeanians on Monday morning.

Hassocks simply got the job done with minimal fuss against a Hurst side managed by ex-Robin Eddie French and full of confidence after securing their first ever step five victory over Little Common seven days earlier.

French remains a popular figure around the Hassocks Hotel Beacon Ground, even though he left over 25 years ago for the bright lights of Horsham. His success with the Hornets make him one of the most successful ever Hassocks youth team products, alongside current Robins chairman Pat Harding.

Billingshurst showed plenty of character but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. Something French acknowledged afterwards, saying: “When you don’t take your chances away to a top team like Hassocks, then it is likely you get punished.”

Part of the reason Hurst were unable to take those chances was thanks to smart goalkeeping from Ed Cooper advancing rapidly off his line to shut down visiting attacks.

There were two instances of that inside the opening 25 minutes. Morgan Prill broke clear of the Robins defence but was met by Cooper on the edge of the box. It forced Prill wide and allowed Harvey Blake to get back and clear the resulting low shot from a tight angle.

Tom Edwards was next to escape the Hassocks back line for a one-on-one. A heavy touch allowed Cooper to dive bravely at the feet of Edwards and snare the ball away.

In-between those Billingshurst chances, Liam Benson had two bites of the cherry to open the scoring with a one-on-one of his own. The first shot was straight at Hurst goalkeeper Ollie Courtney and the rebound was lifted a long way over the bar.

Hassocks began building pressure in the final 10 minutes of the half. Charlie Martin flashed a low ball across the face of goal which Lucas Bolton did superbly to clear behind for a corner with Big Alex Fair arriving in the box for a tap in. Lewis Finney was then just inches away from bending a 25 yarder with the outside of his boot inside the post.

Billingshurst looked like they were going to make it into the break on level terms until a moment of magic from Liam Hendy broke the deadlock with virtually the last kick of the half.

Dan Turner saw a long throw only half cleared to some 30 yards out. Devon Fender returned possession to Turner still out on the left.

Turner delivered an up-and-under cross which Jack Troak chested back to Hendy for a rasping volley. Courtney could only watch it arrow into the bottom corner.

Troak placed a shot straight at Courtney and Finney saw an effort blocked behind for a corner by Jack Griffin as Hassocks made a strong start to the second half.

Hurst though remained a threat on the break. A brilliant Brodie pass sliced through the Hassocks defence to play in Edwards. Cooper was once more both fast and brave off his line.

He sprawled at the feet of Edwards and managed to knock the ball away before grabbing it at the second attempt. The coming together resulted in Cooper taking a nasty blow to the ribs which required lengthy treatment.

The Robins doubled their lead on 68 minutes thanks to a really well-worked goal. Blake and Finney kept the ball between them, waiting for space to open up in the Billingshurst defence.

When it did, Finney picked out a clever run from Omar Abdsami. The perfectly weighted pass from Finney was followed by an emphatic first-time finish from Adbsami which almost broke the net.

If Hassocks were hoping moving 2-0 ahead would put them on easy street, then they were to be disappointed. Still Billingshurst kept coming.

Substitute Thomas King bulldozed his way to the by-line and pulled back a cross which Edwards could only place into the arms of Cooper.

Another one-on-one followed with Cooper sending Brandon Engstrom wide this time. When Engstrom tried to get the ball into the box, Cooper stretched himself to swipe it away before it could reach the waiting Tosin Dada.

Hassocks added their final two goals in the last six minutes. Number three was a role reversal from number two. Abdsami picked out the run of Finney with a ball played into a gap between Jack Hayes and Lucas Bolton.

Finney glided around all of Bolton, Ben Cole and the sliding Griffin before producing a frankly ridiculous finish which caught everyone by surprise as it came whilst he appeared to stumble over.

It was all Hassocks in the little time reamining after that. Substitute Bradley Tighe almost got a rare goal when shaving the outside of the post.

Troak put a much more forceful effort slap bang against the upright via a Bolton block. The less said about the follow up, the better. The ball was last seen flying over Hurstpierpoint.

Lewis Croal was then denied his first Robins goal after a questionable offside flag went up against him when smashing home the rebound after Courtney kept out a Turner header.

The fourth eventually arrived with 90 on the clock. There did not seem much danger when Dada tracked back to dispossess Abdsami and the ball fell to the feet of Fender with his back to goal.

Fender produced a magnificent shimmy to escape the attention of two Billingshurst defenders in close proximity, hitting a shot on the turn which nestled inside the near post from the edge of the box.

Hassocks: Cooper; Blake, D Turner, Hendy, Troak; Fender, Abdsami, Finney, Fair; Martin; Benson.

Subs: Croal, Tighe, Bonwick-Adams, Richardson (used), Farrell (unused).

Starman: Ed Cooper made some vital interventions but it just goes to Liam Hendy. Another solid showing at the back and he cannot have scored many goals as good as that volley in his life.