After three wins on the trot Hobnob travelled to Mapledurham to take on Division 3 (East)’s basement side FC Berksalona, a side that the Nobbers have a 100% record against but who have always put up a really good fight. There were a couple of enforced changes for the away side as manager Mike Terry had a baby related appointment and Matt Bolton was competing in Bournemouth. In their place came last year’s player of the season James Tiltman and Dan Hare who also took on management duties. On the bench there was a slight embarrassment of riches with all-time top scorer Rich Paine joined by the returning wide receiver Daniel Cross, new signing Jim Phillips and Rob Tan.
Both sides looked to make a big start and the opening moments were slightly scrappy with neither side really able to get the oddly green ball down. Not for the first time the Hoops’ best options were coming down the flanks with Davies in particular looking threatening on the left. Finding the final cross was proving tricky but that was only until about 20 minutes in. Tom Robertson’s lovely through ball was reached by Luke Walker at full stretch. He did superbly to get his cross in and it was met by Rob Walker with a great header which deftly placed the ball out of the keeper’s reach. It was perfectly placed and made it two in two for the newest Walker. The goal should have settled Hobnob but if anything complacency seemed to creep in. The edge went out of the side and slowly Berksalona began to get a handle on the game and were stopping Hobnob getting out of their half. They weren’t creating much by way of chances and so the equaliser really came out of nothing. It was a slightly speculative effort from 25 yards but was enough to dip under the bar and beat Chapman. They swiftly doubled the score with a well struck effort from the angle and it was starting to look dire for Hobnob. Out of nothing though they could have found their way back into the game, both chances fell to Pulfer but he was twice denied by great saves from the goalkeeper. Things went from bad to worse for the Nobbers as Luke Walker’s great tracking back and slide tackle effectively ended the game for him and just as half time was looming it was 3-1 as the Berksalona somehow evaded the defence to round Chapman and tap into an empty net.
Luke Walker’s injury forced him off at the break so on came Richie Paine and his impact couldn’t have been more immediate. Straight from kick off the ball was worked out to the left flank, Davies’ cross was perfect for the remaining Walker but he could only manage an air kick so the ball rolled straight into the path of the unmarked Paine who used his first touch of the game to control and his second to net his 60th Hobnob goal. Berksalona seemed shell shocked by the goal and Hobnob began to get some momentum going. Davies was making headway down the left whilst Plant was beginning to assert himself in the middle. The equaliser was always coming and the only question was whether it would be Davies or Plant who provided it. In the end it was an equaliser straight out of Grimsby as Plant’s superb lofted pass found Paine who showed fantastic composure to go around the keeper before rolling it across the line. Now the chances were really beginning to flow and God alone knows how it wasn’t soon 4-3. Again it was Davies causing problems and again I was Paine unmarked at the far post who saw a sweet smash against the bar and down. The on rushing Walker did his best to get his foot to it but somehow steered it over from a yard. It was only a matter of time though and when the winner arrived it was only going to come from one player. Again it came from the left, this time Pulfer rolled it through to Plant whose shot was blocked but the rebound fell for Paine to complete a remarkable hatrick. It was a fantastic turnaround and Berksalona had no answer. The result could have been even more in the end. Walker saw an effort fly wide; Dan Hare forced the keeper into a great save from a long range effort and Pulfer was very unlucky to see what looked a good goal disallowed. It got a little backs to the wall at the end but Cheng and Joe Hare were equal to everything thrown at them.
Four wins in a row equals a club record and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t continue. Next week see’s the visit of top of the table Athletico Forest but if the second half Hobnob turn up then it’ll sure to be a good game.
