After only one game in the previous three weeks and recording their first win against top of the table FC Berksalona, Hobnob were eager to get back into the playing routine. Perhaps not ideally the game was against their bogey team, Tilehurst Terrier aka Prince of Wales. In the previous 6 meetings Hobnob hadn’t managed so much as a point but with their opponents struggling in the league, it seemed as good a time as any to play them.
The away side were aided by being able to pick virtually the same side that had played so well against Berksalona with only Tiltman missing out after a fall during the Great South Run the previous weekend. His replacement was fellow Great South Runner Dean Walker with Mike Terry moving over to the left back slot. Rumours that the big centre half ensured his place in the side by taking out Tiltman on the run have so far proved unfounded.
Having played Prince of Wales so much in the past the side knew what to expect and set up accordingly. The long ball has always proved a good tactic for the home side and so the defence set up a lot deeper than usual and it reaped dividends. With Prince of Wales’ main weapon effectively nullified Hobnob were able to play their natural game and exploited the flanks magnificently. One beneficiary of the space on the wings was full back Tom Robertson. With a hitherto unknown amount of space in front of him he was able to get forward much more and pretty much acted as a right sided version of the missing Tiltman. Barely 10 minutes were on the clock when Robertson was able to get forward and after a bit of neat control went for a speculative shot from range, or so the opposition thought. What looked all the world like a horribly mishit, scuffed shot was actually a wonderfully disguised pass that found Plant in a bit of space and it was enough for him to fire into the back of the net. Perhaps surprisingly it was the Grimbarian’s first goal of the season and he didn’t have long to wait for his second. After some good work by Hare on the right the ball was pulled back for Robertson to swing in a first time cross to the far post. It found Pulfer whose shot was probably heading in but Plant made sure, smashing it in on the line. Hobnob then had their first proper on field injury of the season with Robertson proving that he does get nosebleeds when he gets too far forward. Whilst he was off the pitch receiving treatment Pulfer made it 3-0 with a lob.
Hobnob were looking comfortable but they couldn’t afford to get complacent and Chapman had to be on red alert to make a great save low to his left on the line. There were appeals from the opposition that the ball had crossed the line but their shouts were in vain, it was just a great save. Hobnob made sure they took full advantage and almost immediately went down the other end to make it 4-0. Breaking with pace down the left the ball was swiftly in the opposition area and Pulfer’s pull back sat up perfectly for Davies to slot in.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first and it had barely begun when Hare nodded in from Davies’ corner. It was 6-0 moments later when Davies was again the provider, this time getting his cross in from the left and Pulfer popped up to get his 8th of the season. Hobnob were threatening to get truly rampant and looked like scoring every time they went forward. Hare again went close before finally getting his second on the hour mark to make it 7-0. Paine had done well to slot a lovely pass between the defenders and Hare gladly ran on to it and fired in at the near post. Mike Terry used the 7 goal cushion as the time to make changes with Luke Walker and Dan Robertson coming on for Paine and Hare and they both immediately looked lively. Walker went close with a header and Robertson was denied a fantastic goal after his chest and turn was fired at the goalkeeper. With everyone in the team wanting to get a piece of the goal scoring action it was perhaps inevitable that they would become more exposed at the back. Despite that the goal that was conceded was unfortunate. Their winger had made his way into the box and Terry slid in and won the ball in a good tackle. Unfortunately the referee saw the challenge differently and awarded the penalty, which was duly despatched. Hobnob made sure they finished on a high though and Walker found space on the left to roll the ball in to Bolton who smashed the ball in from close range. 8-1 the final score.
Much will rightly be said of the scoring prowess of the side but it should be noted that it was all made able because of an excellent defensive display. Dean Walker and Cheng were superb, winning everything that came their way and Terry and Robertson providing cover but also an attacking option. The decision to sit a little deeper was spot on and credit should be given to manager Terry for that. It was a great performance from front to back and the side can probably be forgiven for getting a little ragged toward the end. It was Hobnob’s biggest win since the 10-2 win over Park Villa in February last year and perhaps more importantly, it was the first time this season that players other than the forwards have got on the scoresheet. More performances like this please!
