Hobnob’s side went into the game against last year’s Division 3 (East) champions Athletico Forest with a bit of a selection crisis but Mike Terry’s headache was only to get worse on the morning of the match. Already without Matt Bolton and Dan Hare the task of picking an XI was made all the more difficult (or easier depending how you look at it) by last minute no shows from Thomas L’Heureux and James Tiltman, the latter finally being done in by one too many jaegerbombs. It meant first starts of the season for Tom Robertson and Joe Hare with a fourth different midfield combination in as many games.
Perhaps it is in part due to the ever changing look to the side but once again it took Hobnob a while to settle and find any rhythm. In previous games this season they’ve been able to block the opposition out whilst they searched for that fluency but today they wouldn’t be so lucky. Phillips was a touch late in the challenge and the resulting free kick was nodded across goal where Athletico had a spare man and the forward slipped it confidently past Robertson’s desperate lunge to open the scoring. With the early lead Athletico visibly relaxed but weren’t able to extend their lead as their through balls for the forwards were repeatedly over hit. Hobnob were struggling to get going but chances still came their way. Miles’ wonderful cross field pass to Walker drew a decent save from the goalkeeper but the chance wasn’t nearly as clear cut as the one that presented itself to Phillips shortly afterwards. From Walkers corner he found himself some space in the six yard box and somehow powered his free header wide. That miss was nothing compared to the one at the other end for Athletico mind. Again Robertson found himself marking two as the ball came across the box and the Athletico forward contrived to fire over when unmarked with the goal mouth gaping in front of him.
The first half had been a let off of sorts but Terry and Cheng had been keeping a good high line and the midfield was beginning to get more of a hold on the game. Their cause was helped by an unfortunate knock for one of the Athletico players in a fair tussle with Davies, forcing him off the pitch. For the third time in as many games Hobnob found themselves against 10 men and for the third time they were unable to capitalise. Now with only one forward Athletico finally beat the offside trap with a perfectly weighted pass through the middle and their forward showed great composure to power it past Chapman. Thereafter it became a siege of the Athletico goal. Hobnob saw two efforts hit the bar, first a great long range, dipping shot from Pulfer cannoned back and then a Phillips effort bounced off the woodwork to safety. It was most definitely not Phillips’ day in front of goal and he was denied a first goal for the club at the death with some last ditch defending when it looked like he was going to slot home a rebound from Miles’ corner.
All in all a very frustrating performance from Hobnob. Credit should be given to Hare, Miles and Phillips in the middle who were thrown together at short notice and were asked to play against a physical, organised opposition. Also, against a good side the defence again stood strong, it’s just in the final third that things aren’t quite clicking, as two goals in four games attests. There should be confidence that as the team settles and perhaps a few more half chances are converted that a decent season still lies ahead. Four points from nine in the league is a decent return and one to build on.
Landmarks
Warren Cheng’s 100th appearance for the club
Dave Miles' 1st Man of the Match award
