A superb performance and four goals from Phil Johnson took Hassocks past the magical 40-point mark as they won a typically entertaining encounter with the Anvils. Hassocks under Mark Dalgleish have really turned things around and have built a slick, counter attacking side based around Johnson’s pace and predatory finishing.

After a promising start by the home side, things turned sour after 15 minutes when Johnson opened his account for the afternoon although he was very clearly offside as he slotted home.

The second goal after 30 minutes also had more than a hint of good fortune. Liam Benson sent over a good cross that was taken by the gale force wind and literally blown past Andy Greaves in the home goal. Two minutes later Johnson had his second from the penalty spot after Crawley Down skipper, Blair Cooney, was penalised for a push. It looked pretty innocuous but somehow fitting in what was turning out to be a bad day at the office for the Anvils.

Crawley Down, having not played that badly, went in 3-0 down at half time seething with the injustice of it all. Despite Hassocks’ sizable lead at the break the home fans probably had hope of a revival as the Anvils had the benefit of the conditions in the second period. Those hopes were dashed when with only 2 minutes gone Johnson completed his hat trick after some decidedly sloppy defending.

Ollie Broad made it 4-1 when he pulled one back for Crawley Down just before the hour mark but despite a much improved performance the Anvils came up against a resolute Hassocks back four.

There was a sense of inevitability when against the run of play another lapse allowed Johnson to add his fourth with 20 minutes still to go. To their immense credit the Anvils battled on and got that inaptly termed “consolation goal” in the 90th minute as Nick Sullivan dispossessed the Hassocks keeper and finished coolly to make the final score 5-2 to the visitors.

Team: Crawley Down Gatwick: Andy Greaves, Billy Wraight, Connor Baston, Josh Brown, Blair Cooney, Andy Goodwin (Sam Packham), Michael Spence, Michael Wood, Ollie Broad, Oli Leslie (Nick Sullivan), Josh Martin (Harry Petty). Unused substitutes: Sonny Barton, James Day.

MOM: Ollie Broad Attn: 84