Poor start and wayward finishing punish Hobnob
Hobnob were away at home as the game against Chalfont Park was moved to Palmer Park and after last week’s defeat the side was unchanged. Not that it was planned for it to be. Mike Terry had made the decision to give Clifford Davies a break and to give Dave Harris a rare start on the left wing. It came as something of a surprise when Harris was a no show in the morning due to a hangover, presumably celebrating his elevation. Bizarrely this is the second time this season that he’s been unable to start a game after missing the game against Real Reading earlier in the season. So in the end Davies retained his place and Hobnob lined up with their familiar 4-4-2.
Throughout this season Hobnob have had an irritating habit of starting games very slowly. There doesn’t appear to be an obvious reason for this but it happened again here. After the Chalfont winger got in behind Tom Robertson, the full back was only able part clear the ball and it feel invitingly for the striker to drive home the opener. It set the tone for the first half an hour with the defence having to deal with a lot but Chalfont’s wasteful possession meant that a second goal took until past the half hour mark. I must confess my memory of the second goal is hazy and given that the five players I’ve asked about it can’t remember it either, I’ll just note that Chalfont went 2-0 up. The two goal lead only last about a minute. Straight from the kick off Hobnob won a free kick about 35 yards out. The referee gave Plant the opportunity to take it quickly and the midfielder proceeded to curl in his 12th of the season with the goalkeeper standing at his opposite post. It seemed to buoy the whole side and Hobnob were beginning to see more of the ball. They should have gone into the break all square but somehow contrived to blow the chances presented to them. Paine made a great run through the middle and was desperately unlucky to see his shot bounce off the post. The ball was only partly cleared and worked its way to Pulfer at the far post who was able to take a touch before being poleaxed by the defender. A clear penalty and there were no real complaints from the Chalfont players. With Pulfer struggling after the foul the penalty taking duties fell to Paine but unfortunately his side footed effort was straight at the goal keeper and so the score stayed at 2-1 at half time.
The second half started better for the Hoops but they were undone on the counter by Chalfont. The right winger delivered an inch perfect cross and it was met by a thumping header at the far post that gave Chapman no chance. Despite the score line Hobnob were still creating chances and Dan Robertson will still be wondering how he was unable to tap in Paine’s cross when he fired over from a few yards. Hobnob didn’t have to wait too long to half the deficit when so quick thinking from Plant meant a corner being swung over early and Paine headed home. More chances were to come for Hobnob, Pulfer went through one on one on the goalkeeper but his touch to take it around him was heavy and took him away from goal and the opportunity was gone. Chalfont made it four with 10 minutes to play and much like their second, it was definitely scored but I have no idea how! At 4-2 Hobnob just threw the kitchen sink at it, piling players forward and they got their third with a minute left on the clock. Plant’s through ball found Paine who took a touch before tucking into the bottom corner. There were suspicions of offside about it but with the goal given there was a slightly frenetic end to the match. In the last seconds of the game they almost stole a point in extraordinary fashion. They won a corner and with Chapman storming into the box the goalkeeper flung his foot at the ball and saw it fly wide. Who know what might have happened if he hadn’t shouted “keeper’s!” and Paine had got out of the way!
With nothing to play for, the season is beginning to peter out and the next game will be the last one. Relegation isn’t an issue but defeat next week could mean Hobnob finishing as low as 10th, a win however and 6th will be likely. It would be a shame to finish the season on dud note so hopefully next week will see the side cut loose a little and take more of the chances that are presented.
