Disclaimer: It’s slightly weird writing a match report for a Sunday League game that I wasn’t there for. I’m going entirely off video highlights so rather than pretend otherwise, this will just be a summary of the bits I’ve seen.
Hobnob named an unchanged side from the previous week which meant a strong looking bench with both Hares back and chomping at the bit to be involved. The first half however seemed to be one of few chances with neither side really able to create anything clear cut. Bolton’s long throws were looking the most effective weapon but with alarming regularity the home side weren’t able to capitalise with either the ball landing in open space or more often, nobody attacking it. Hobnob’s inability to make the most of these positions came back to bite them and that old friend, the ball over the top, reared it’s ugle head, this time with an almost farcical effect. As it came through the channel Terry was left in no-man’s land standing still with his arm in the air as play continued beyond him. Cross reacted but wasn’t quite able to get a block on the shot as it flew into the back of the net. His complaint’s of a sour arse only added to the comedy value of the goal. 1-0 it was to remain until half time with only a Paine effort that was slapped away seemingly troubling the goalkeeper.
The second half started much brighter and eventually Hobnob made a long throw count. Bolton again hurled it into the mixer where Pulfer managed to stick out a leg to get a toe on the ball. The touch put it perfectly in the path of the charging Cheng who got bundled it over the line. I’ve no idea what it came off, looked a little like his knee but the centre back had got his side back in the game with the least elegant goal I’ve seen in a while! With an hour gone Hobnob decided to go for the jugular, throwing another forward on in the shape of Dan Hare, and the impact was almost instantaneous. Hare smashed a piledriver from long range which cannoned off the bar. Davies reacted quickest and produced a lovely bit of skill to cut inside from the right and beat his man, his pass found Pulfer perfectly. Hobnob’s top scorer still had work to do and reminiscent of Robert Lewandowski in the week, beat his man with his first touch and then spun and smashed in with his second. A really good goal which softened the blow of Hare’s original shot not quite making it in. After that the chances began to come a bit more easily to Hobnob and Davies probably should have put the game beyond doubt when he fired wide after being one on one toward the end.
A good win for Hobnob that wasn’t without it’s frustrations. Paine and Chapman had a little bit of an exchange of views and a few players began to get a little bit tetchy about some refereeing decisions but ultimately there was three points at the end of it.
