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After an enforced break due to poor weather ‘The Sports’ returned to action in the Sussex Senior Cup at The Beacon, home of Hassocks FC. Pat Hardings brother Joel captained the home side but the ‘visitor’ was to travel home by far the happier. Adam Wilde dropped to the bench, Matt Crabb starting with brother Nathan; otherwise Boro were as per the 7-2 Lewes cup victory 7 days previous.
The 1st 45 minutes were completely dominated by Boro. Darren Budd saw a shot deflected wide but in the 4th minute a Matt Crabb right-wing corner was thumped home into the top right-hand corner by Andy Atkin for his opener in yet another hat-trick. Boro then had further chances saved before Matt Crabb scored with a rare header on 12 minutes from a fine right-wing delivery from Andy Ballard.
Hassocks were barely able to clear their half and Boro continued to run riot until Pat Harding beat his brother Joel on 31 minutes following good work by Nathan Crabb. Atkin then completed his hat-trick with 2 headed goals in a minute, Ballard delivering on 34 minutes, Matt Crabb swinging in a free-kick from the left after 35.
The 2nd half was a less eventful affair, the game firmly in the bag, but Hassocks also managed to stay closer to Boro players and create several half-chances for themselves. Paul Armstrong and Nathan Crabb spurned opportunities and Hassocks demonstrated a more determined defence when Allan Tait was just beaten to another excellent wide delivery. Lee Hook was forced to make a save after a short headed back-pass was intercepted by Hassocks on 65 minutes and Anthony Hibbert tested the Boro keeper again with a low effort 3 minutes later.
Ben Austin weaved his way through the middle of the park before last ditch defending prevented his shot from the edge of the 18 yard box; the Boro centre-back leaving the field with 10 minutes remaining as a preventative measure.
As the temperature plummeted to below freezing Hibbert forced a further save from Hook before the referee finally brought the tie to an end, ‘The Sports’ progressing comfortably into the next round.
Match Details - Webmaster.
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