New season, new division, new ground and new kit for Hobnob as they opened their first season in Division 2 (East) with a trip to fellow elevatees FC Woodley at Woodford Park. The Walker brothers were absent along with Clifford Davies (on international duty in Germany) and Jim Phillips (controversially chosing an alternative sport with smaller balls) so Mike Terry was left with little option for his starting XI. Opting to continue with the 4-3-3 that saw the side through pre-season unbeaten Terry gave a debut to Thomas L’Heureux in the centre of midfield and there were also starts for the Grimbarian pair of Rich Paine and James Plant in what would be their last game before a move to London. Rumours that the pair are missing the hoops and have secured lucrative moves to QPR are as yet unfounded.
Looking resplendent in their new yellow strip (and baring more than a passing resemblance to the Swedish national team) Hobnob were allowed no time to settle into the game. FC Woodley had proved to be tough opposition last season and it was clear from the outset that nothing had changed in that regard. With both teams having an extra man in the middle of midfield play became very fraught with neither team really able to string passes together but Woodley looked the more likely early on as the looked to utilise the pace of their lone striker. Perhaps because of the hard surface they were struggling to weight their through balls properly and Hobnob’s disciplined line meant that chances were hard to come by for them. Woodley’s best chance of the half came from a break and Chapman didn’t know much about the shot as it hit in the face but aside from that the keeper had little to do beyond sweeping up. The Nobbers were struggling to really get their passing lines right but on the occasions that it did click they were looking threatening and Paine came the closest of either side to opening the scoring as he fired over after great work in the channel from Pulfer. With little being created in open play both sides were resorting a little to set pieces and Woodley should have done better when their defender out jumped Cross at the far post. However, Lady Luck was being even to both sides as the ball refused to drop to Hobnob players on several occasions after a couple of long throws and corners.
Scoreless at half time both teams knew that in such an even contest the game could be decided by the slimmest of margins. Hobnob started with a bit more intensity and with both full backs exploiting the space in front of them they began to move to ball around with much more purpose. The midfield trio of Bolton, Plant and L’Heureux were linking up well and it was from this combination that the ball was worked out right to Cross who fired a cross/shot that was well parried by the keeper. The game was beginning to get stretched and Tiltman’s marauding runs were causing problems. It was from one of these runs that Paine was able to jink into the box and force an excellent save from the keeper diving to his right. Hobnob were on top but they knew they had to make the pressure count. Straight after the save Bolton was able to launch another long throw and it was flicked goalwards by Terry where it looped perfectly into the top far post corner. Whether he meant it as a shot or a flick on is academic and the Hobnob player/manager had his first goal since December 2011. Woodley immediately reacted but just could not find the right pass in the final third. They came desperately closest when their player went through one on one at goal. Chapman dived and managed to flick the ball away and fortunately for the away side debutant Dave Miles was first to react and coolly played the ball away from danger. That seemed to take the wind out of their sails a little and thanks to some more stout defending from Terry and Cheng, Hobnob were able to secure an opening day clean sheet.
What the game lacked in quality and clear cut chances it more than made up for in intensity and both sides deserve credit for the way the game was played. A few times in the congested middle it threatened to spill into nastiness but the players managed to contain things (bar one kick on Plant). Nevertheless Hobnob will be very pleased with the start they’ve made to life in Division 2 against a tough team. The new system in particular seems to have settled well and the debutants both bring different dimensions to the side but compliment those we already have. There will be very few easy rides this season and if the side can play in this manner all season then they will be very competitive and good things await them.
Landmarks
Hobnob’s first game in Division 2 (East)
Hobnob’s first competitive game in the new yellow kit
Michael Terry’s first goal since December 2011
Debuts for Thomas L’Heureux and Dave Miles
