After their massive victory last week, Hobnob were raring to go against the Chalfont side that had previously beating them 6-1. There was just one change to the side that thrashed Mapledurham Cavaliers. Warren Cheng returned at centre-back, while Dan Hare partnered Ian Pulfer up front once again with Rich Paine still out injured.
Mike Terry wanted Hobnob to go into the game with caution. In the previous meeting between the two, Chalfont’s speedy winger had caused problems for the full-backs and Terry attempted to counter this by getting Cross at right-back and Walker on the right wing to work together and close him down, hoping to take him out of the game. Unfortunately, this worked against Hobnob as Cross was drawn out wide and the Chalfont attackers managed to get through the gaps in the defence. To be fair to Chalfont, they played quite well in the first half and wouldn’t let Hobnob play their ground game, which wasn’t helped by many passes going astray. The defence was run ragged and at half time, Hobnob were 3-0 down, which was probably a fair scoreline.
They knew they had to do something and the half time team talk seemed to give them the kick up the backside they needed. It probably helped that the speedy winger was switched to the right flank, enabling the left wing dynamo duo of Tiltman and Davies to deal with him effectively. The defence seemed to deal with attacks a lot better in the second half and this meant the midfielders were able to pass the ball around a lot more accurately. It soon paid off as Bolton passed to Hare, who managed to find the net, giving Hobnob some hope.
The action continued as both teams were attacking their opposite ends, but Hobnob were the ones to celebrate as a sublimely accurate pass from Cross found the feet of Hare, who controlled on the edge of the box, only to be brought down inside the area. The defending team were clearly unhappy with the decision, but Hare stepped up and calmly planted the ball into the bottom corner.
Hobnob now knew that the game was there for the taking. Tension began to increase as a couple of offsides given against the Chalfont attackers led to the management showing their anger towards the official and a couple of Hobnob substitutes who attempted to calm them. Their anger was not helped when the referee decided to award the ‘Nobbers another penalty, deep into the second half, after a shot cannoned off the arm of a defender. Some agree it was the right decision, but others felt it was a little harsh. Hare stepped up to round off his hat-trick and seal a point for Hobnob, but it wasn’t to be. His penalty was sweetly struck, but was directed just wide of the upright. The final whistle was soon blown and Hobnob were left to wonder what the result could have been had they played some better football in the first half.
