Hobnob returned to league football after two consecutive cup exits in the familiar surroundings of Palmer Park in an away tie against Real Reading. Knee injuries accounted for Clifford Davies and Chris Chapman so for only the 3rd time in his Hobnob career Dan Hare took the gloves whilst Warren Cheng had the armband for the 50th. Hare’s move to between the sticks meant a return for Rich Paine on the left wing. Mike Terry was able to combine management with being a sub and linesman as the sole man on the touchline.
On a sticky pitch Hobnob knew they had to make sure they were winning their headers and got some early warnings on that. Real were flooding Hobnob’s right flank and twice in the opening 15 minutes got in behind but Hare was on his toes to deal with both. The dangermen from Real Reading had been earmarked before the game and Plant and Bolton were doing well to keep the ball away from them. With the ball spending a lot of time with the opposition defenders, Pulfer and Dan Robertson were doing a lot of work to close them down and they were beginning to create the chances. Some great pressing from Pulfer won the ball in the box; he was able to find Paine whose cross was bundled over by Dan Robertson. It had perhaps been a little against the run of play but it was reward for some hard work. The goal didn’t seem to change much as far as Real were concerned though and some direct running down the Hobnob left resulted in a corner. It was drilled at the near post and their player was able to nip in front of Tom Robertson and nod in the equalizer. It was a blow for the Nobbers but they kept plugging away with Dan Robertson again continuing to be a nuisance as he held the ball up well. It was on one such occasion that he got the ball to feet and turned to put a lovely through ball for Pulfer who broke clear of the offside trap to roll the ball under the keeper. Hobnob had a two goal cushion almost immediately after. More good work from Robertson forced the ball at goal but the defender looked to have dealt with it. That was until he totally messed up his backpass and Pulfer showed great instincts to nip the ball away from the keeper and tap into an empty net. Despite the blow of the two quick goals Real continued to attack and right on half time they made it count. Hobnob’s defence again unable to clear the ball properly and this time it was met with a fizzing volley past Hare.
At the break Hobnob knew they were a bit fortunate to go in with the lead and it was clear the areas they needed to improve in. The message clearly hit home as they went out an immediately regained their two goal advantage. Straight from kick off the ball found Plant who exchanged a nice one-two with Dan Robertson before tucking home from a tight angle. The goal seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the opposition a little and their change to 4-3-3 played into the Nobbers’ hands. The game was being pushed right to the edges with massive gaps in midfield. Robertson and Pulfer continued to harangue the defence and unlike the first half their passing was no longer finding the attackers in much space. With the luxury of a two goal lead Hobnob could just wait for their chance to come, and come it did. Walker had looked dangerous on the few times he’d been able to run forward and he put in a good ball for Pulfer. The forward still had work to do but he checked his move and flashed a great ball across the face of the goal. It was just out of Robertson’s reach but sliding in at the far post was Paine to make it five. The game was all but over with the imposing Cheng making sure the any efforts Real were having were from range and not really bothering Hare. Pulfer missed his chance for his hattrick as he nodded over the bar but Cheng made no such mistake as he got on the end of the veteran striker’s corner to make it six with his first goal in nearly three years.
In recent weeks Hobnob have been guilty of not making the most of the chances they’ve created but that accusation couldn’t have been levelled at them today. They were clinical and ruthless in front of goal with both front men working really hard both on and off the ball. Pulfer was a deserved man of the match for two goals and two assists but it could have quite easily have gone to his partner Dan Robertson who was involved in the majority of the goals. The partnership only has one game left before Robertson goes to Australia but if they can perform at this level again then there will be more goals for both of them.
