After a long and largely disappointing pre-season Hobnob started their new season at home to AFC Burghfield Reserves. There were several absentees due to international duties and injury meant that the starting XI pretty much picked itself. Ian Pulfer opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Clifford Davies joining Dave Miles in an untested central midfield pairing and there was a debut for Dan Morris in attack.
There were a few familiar faces at a packed Berkshire County Sports. James Tiltman, flip-flops and shorts as usual was a welcome surprise as well as some excellent cheerleaders in the form of Adam Lunnoon and the injured duo Will Rimmer and Matt Perkin. That must have contributed to a bright start from the home side and the first chance fell the way of Pulfer. Unfortunately the Hobnob manager misjudged the bounce of the ball and could only slap the ball toward goal. The bright start ended up catching the home side out. A superb tackle on Fitzsimons launched a counter attack from Burghfield and with the defence out of shape they weren't able to stop the ball coming over the top or the forward to knock in the opening goal. They nearly doubled their lead when a shot from a corner flashed wide but the second didn't take much longer to come. A long ball was put into the box and Chapman, leaping to catch it couldn't hold it and it ran out for a tap in to make it 2-0. Hobnob had their chances to reduce the defecit before the break as firstly a free kick from Davies flashed across the goalmouth and then the best chance of the half. Fitzsimons jinked his way past the full back and put the ball low into the six yard box. Dan Robertson couldn't get on the end of it and Morris could only stab it straight at the goalkeeper. Anywhere else and it was probably a goal.
Hobnob were wanting to exert some more control on the second half but it was Burghfield who dominated the possession. The defence was staying resolute however with the lone striker being expertly handled by Cheng and Terry. One of the key turning points came as Hobnob were really struggling to find a way in. The Burghfield numbe 12 had been their main outlet and when Davies crunched him in a firm but fair challenge, he was forced off the pitch. The away side had to adjust their formation to more of a 4-4-2 and Miles and Davies were able to exploit that bit of extra space. Chances were still hard to come by though as Hobnob struggled to commit numbers in attack, the best they could muster was a Dan Robertson effort from range. With 20 minutes to play a change had to be made and Tom Robertson made way for Matt Bolton. The former captain was on for his first game in over 18 monthes thanks to a knee injury and made an immediate impact. He dominated the middle of the park and gave the side a fresh impetus. With a new attacking verve Hobnob began to threaten and the pulled one back in spectacular fashion. Dan Robertson created the space for Morris who took his time and from the edge of the area finished brilliantly over the goalkeeper. Before anyone had a chance to react Hobnob grabbed the equaliser. Chapman's kick upfield was flicked on by Morris to meet Fitzsimons' run. The Irishman took the ball in his stride and seeing the keeper off his line uted a perfect lob with the outside of his boot. Burghfield were stunned and suddenly the chances were flowing. Fitzsimons cut in from the right and fired just wide when he probably should have squared it to Robertson. Pulfer came even closer with a free kick that clipped the bottom of the post before going wide. It was another free kick that won Hobnob the game though. With minutes left on the clock Miles, seeing a bit of space called for quick free kick. He got the ball short with the defence completely unaware. Driving the ball into the box he squared to Morris who smashed home the winner. It was a fantastic moment for the debutant and for the side as a whole. The win could have been even more convincing had Robertson managed to put a late chance away but at the final whistle it was Burghfield who looked stunned to have lost a game they had been so dominate in.
