LVS Hassocks finished their season in style by defeating Manor Green 8-4. A superb goalkeeping performance by Sam Alexander was to thank for the flattering scoreline in a match where both sides showed great attacking flair. Lee Tarron scored four goals, Charlie Ries-Coward two, and goals for Kain Wilkinson-Liddiard and Gregor Sumner gave LVS plenty of reasons to be confident heading into next season.
As soon as the whistke blew the game was off and running. The pace was a sprint, the distance was a marathon and neither side stopped running. LVS found themselves a goal down early in the first half. The Manor Green players showed that Hassocks were in for a tough match after good work allowed their striker to finish neatly.
The response from LVS was determined and courageous. They took the game to their opponents and found an equaliser. Good work by Lee Tarron down the right wing supplied Charlie Ries-Coward with the opportunity to score. The out-going striker composed himself with a neat first touch and then found the bottom corner of the net to level the score.
Hassocks then pushed for the lead. Their hard work was rewarded when Kain Wilkinson-Liddiard carved open the Manor Green defence with a great through ball. Lee Tarron saw his first shot saved, but made no mistake converting at the second time of asking.
At 2-1 Hassocks were put under pressure, and it took some great defending and spectacular goalkeeping to keep the ball out of the net. Sam Alexander proved himself to be a stubborn pair of hands as Manor Green strikes were batted away much to the home fans frustrations.
The good defensive work allowed the purples to break forward regularly. As a result they extended their lead. Lee Tarron again showed efficiency in front of goal, hammering home after a nice pass by Joe Bedding.
Just before half-time Gregor Sumner gave Manor Green a mountain to climb. Tarron dribbled past two men before being tackled. The ball fell neatly for Sumner who struck a superb strike from distance into the top corner of the net. The utility man ran away in celebration as the half-time score-line seemed slightly unfair, but extremely favourable.
Half Time Score: Manor Green 1-4 LVS Hassocks
The second half was far more reflective of the equality between the two sides. Both showing great glimpses of magic to create chances. Manor Green struck first after their striker skillfully dribbled through the defence and unleashed a great strike into the back of the net.
The goal provided a wake up call to the LVS players who were informed by the coaching staff that the job was not yet done. The purples heeded the warning and set to work. The result was another goal. A great cross by Charlie Ries-Coward was met by Lee Tarron who struck neatly to secure his hat-trick.
Manor Green were hungry for more goals, and their tenacity reaped rewards when they made it 5-3. A dubious free kick was awarded quite some distance from goal. Despite an otherwise flawless game, Sam Alexander struggled to cope with the resulting free kick which somehow found itself in the back of the Hassocks net.
Alexander soon made amends when he produced an jaw-dropping double save to maintain his sides two goal cushion. Further saves also helped LVS retain their lead. At the other end Hassocks made the most of their attacking potential and after Joe Bedding saw his shot blocked Lee Tarron struck sweetly with his left foot from outside the area.
Hassocks then seemed to put the game to bed when Joe Bedding's shot was saved and Charlie Ries-Coward delicately flicked the ball into the back of the net. The forward showed great sharpness to convert and his predatory instinct likened to a certain Adam Le Fondre will be missed greatly in the seasons to come.
Manor Green weren't finished and they continued to attack. They grabbed another goal after a goalmouth scramble eventually saw the ball tucked into the back of the net, despite heroic work by the LVS defence.
The final goal of the game was scored by LVS. Lee Tarron played the ball to Kain Wilknison-Liddiard, and the tricky winger danced around two players before rounding the keeper and striking the ball into the net. It was a great goal, which brought an end to a great game played in great spirit by both sides.
Manor Green 4-8 LVS Hassocks
