Defeat the previous week was a big disappointment to the team and a positive reaction was needed, and due to injuries and work commitments, it was a slightly different XI than last week.
Brendan Fitzsimon was missing so in came the hungry Rob Walker, and a last minute drop out from Dave Miles meant a second start of the season for Dan Robertson, with Clifford Davies moving to the left wing. Not his preferred position, but certainly his best. The formation was back to a 4-4-2 with Daniel Cross coming back to his normal right back position in place of Tom Robertson.
Prior to kick off Manager Pulf spoke about having a reaction to the previous week, the need to work for each other and to work hard at being proactive and reactive to situations.
The first 15 minutes looked promising for Hobnob, they pressed the ball well, created opportunities and had a good positive attitude. Slowly though, Loxwood found themselves getting into the game, creating chances and pushing Hobnob back. Gaps and passes were increasingly hard to find and create and fewer opportunities arose.
As the half went on, Loxwood were lucky not to score, a fine save from Chapman, kept the score at 0-0.
A chance for Hobnob came when a diagonal ball to the right found Davies, who did well not only to keep the ball in play, but to beat his man and find a pass. Rob Walker was screaming for it on the edge of the box but the ball instead found it's way to Robertson, who saw his effort sail over the bar. A good move, but Hobnob still hadn't tested the Loxwood keeper.
As the half progressed, it looked more likely that Loxwood would break the deadlock, and with 10mins of the half remaining, they did just that. A quick counter pass found the striker, who had beaten the Hobnob offside trap and he coolly slotted the ball passed Chapman, who was exposed.
Half time came, and it was a chance to regroup for Hobnob. No silly bickering this week, all ears to the manager. Pulf reiterated his point about being proactive and reactive, and about the importance of communication and keeping the unit tight in defence.
The second half started evenly, with both teams working hard to keep the ball. Hobnob started to create chances, and eventually the Hobnob attitude paid off. A neat ball from Cheng found Robertson, who smashed the ball into the goal. A great team effort, and the goal gave the added confidence boost Hobnob required.
Another superb save from Chapman to deny a powerful header, and a shocking miss from 4 yards out gave Hobnob a let off. The players pushed again, and a brilliant diagonal cross field pass from L’Heureux found Luke Walker, who composed himself and hit a rocket into the bottom corner of the goal. Some of the players thought it had hit the side netting, but as Walker celebrated, in some weird fashion, those players soon realised it was 2-1.
Straight from the kick off, Hobnob pressed again, this caught Loxwood off guard. Hobnob worked hard to win the ball back eventually it found Walker on the right. He crossed to find Robertson free, who flicked onto the younger Walker, it was harder to miss, and he rifled the ball past the stranded Loxwood keeper.
Loxwood were deflated, but by no means out. Davies worked hard to get back and cover when required, and the back four stayed solid. Three corners in a row for Loxwood were defended well. Enough was enough, bog roll man (the ref) blew his whistle and a delighted manager and coach congratulated the team on such a better performance, and for listening to the instructions!
(thanks to Dan Hare for the match report)
