24 February 2008
This was a memorable day for Hassocks Ladies as not only did they beat Chichester for the first time ever but it marked perhaps the best ever individual performance by a player and the first time ever that a player has scored 30 goals in a season - so far. There are no easy games in the Premier Division and Chi are a side capable of playing excellent football and last season narrowly missed out in the promotion play offs so for Hassocks to win so convincingly away from home was a remarkable achievement. Chi took the lead in the 15th minute after converting a hotly disputed penalty. There was a time when Hassocks would have given up after that decision but now they just get on with their game even though the decisions seemed to be going against them. Manager Tom Reynolds had spotted an weakness in the Chi defence early on but resisted the temptation to make a tactical substitution until the break by which time Katie Harding had equalised with the first of her four goals, a first time chip from 20 yards. The half time substitution was perhaps harsh on Charlotte Deeley but the decision to use young Elly Bryan's pace and ability to worry the defence was fully justified. This performance was far from being a one woman show. Yes Harding fired in the goals but every player behind her played their part in supplying the ammunition. The back line of Sonya Nye, Alison Dudley, Amy Hooper and Sam Newman were outstanding and such is their confidence in the own ability and on the ball that they and the midfield were content to hold the ball drawing on Chi's players and then either moving the ball quickly from back to front or putting the ball over the top. Harding saved her best goal for last, patiently waiting on the half way line and already on the move before Laura Turner dropped the ball over her shoulder in her path. Harding still had a lot to do but she saw off three Chi players before giving the keeper no chance. At 4-1 and having already played their only available substitution Hassocks took the chance to take off the injured Alex Southgate and played out the last fifteen minutes with just ten players but even then Chi could not break down the wall of determined red and black who were protecting Emma Young playing in goal rather than midfield because of an injury and at the end no one could actually recall Young have had to attempt a save. Special mention must be given to Colette Barry whose second half performance on the left wing was outstanding. On Sunday Hassocks are away at Bexhill.
Team:
Emma Young,
Sonya Nye,
Alison Dudley,
Amy Hooper,
Sam Newman,
Colette Barry,
Liz King,
Laura Turner,
Charlotte Deeley
(Elly Bryan),
Alex Southgate,
Katie Harding
Scorers:
Katie Harding (4)