Hassocks Ladies 3
06 January 2008
Hassocks Ladies battled their way through to a place in the League Cup quarter finals overcoming a spirited Maidstone Town side Having never won a game immediately after a Christmas break and with several players suffering with or recovering from the cold epidemic Hassocks knew they had to make their mark on the game early and build a lead as there was no way the huge, very sticky pitch was going to allow them to play attacking football for 90 minutes. Hassocks got the dream start with Katie Harding converting a wickedly penetrating corner from Emma Young inside 2 minutes and then within 20 minutes they were 3-0 up after Alex Southgate ended her mini goal drought first with a glancing header from a free kick and then with a clever flick at the near post after outstanding work from Harding in the corner. Maidstone were rattled and although they are a Division 1 side they are sitting at the top of the table having only lost 1 in 10 with a goal difference of +51 so Hassocks knew they were more than capable opponents. To their credit Maidstone weathered the storm for the remainder of the half and indeed just before the break pulled one back after some defensive indecisiveness. Predictably Maidstone came out with all guns blazing in the second half and with Hassocks only having played one other game in six weeks before the tie, match fitness was scarce. Maidstone threatened to overrun the midfield so Hassocks had to draw on their experience and passion to stem the flow. The Hassocks defence were determined to protect rookie keeper Charlotte Deeley and Alison Dudley Amy Hooper and Roanna Simmons gave a masterclass in last ditch tackles where the slightest mistiming could easily have earned any of them a red card. It was only minutes before the end when tired legs and tired minds allowed Maidstone to add another but it was all too late so Hassocks eagerly await the draw for the quarter finals.
Team:
Charlotte Deeley,
Roanna Simmons,
Amy Hooper,
Alison Dudley,
Sonya Nye,
Vicky Preece
(Elly Bryan),
Emma Young,
Laura Turner,
Liz King
(Sam Newman),
Alex Southgate
Katie Harding
Scorers:
Alex Southgate(2)
Katie Harding