Hobnob got their pre-season up and running properly with their first outing in over four months (if you discount the shambles against Fatties) and it was a return to Cantley which was the scene of last season’s closing day thumping of Reeves Rangers. The opposition was 2nd division Loxwood Park Rangers and the side started in an orthodox 4-4-2. The Walker brothers Dean and Luke came in to make their first appearances at centre back and left wing respectively and there was big news before kick off with the announcement that Matt Bolton will start the season as captain in place of Warren Cheng.
The game started in lively fashion with Hobnob looking to implement the passing game that they had been focussing on throughout pre-season training. Perhaps it was too lively for some and an early altercation between Hare and Loxwood’s Austin led to the Hobnob man picking up a very early yellow card. It didn’t disrupt the flow however and Hobnob should have taken the lead early on. Luke Walker beat his man and put in a superb far post cross only for Pulfer to head straight at the keeper. The new man almost had the chance to start his Hobnob career with a goal but was somewhat relieved to see the offside flag raised after smashing over from five yards. In true Hobnob fashion he had the decency to blame a bobble. They didn’t have long to wait for the opening goal though and took a deserved lead after Paine proved too much for Loxwood, darting inside and having his legs taken away. Up stepped PULFER to comfortably tuck in from 12 yards.
The half hour point saw a raft of changes to the side and it was perhaps no coincidence that Loxwood got more into the game after that point. The big striker should have done better when one on one with Chapman but the equalizer came shortly after. The flag stayed down after a through ball and former Hobnob target Steve Barter had time to pull across to ex-Hobnob trainee Steve Roberts who cut inside Robertson to score. It was against the run of play and the Nobbers will be disappointed not to have seen the half out after a corner from the left was helped on its way and deflected in the back of the net. 2-1 at half time didn’t reflect a good 45 minutes for Hobnob.
The second half was a more disjointed affair with more chopping and changes and both teams found set pieces the best form of attack. Hobnob’s equalizer came a corner after Pulfer did well to hook the ball back for Cheng who’s header fell perfectly for PAINE to smash in from close range. Loxwood wasted no time in hitting back and Barter rose highest from a long throw to glance a header into the bottom corner. Hobnob should have equalized again when Hare broke free of his marker on the right wing. He jinked his way in and after getting clattered the referee had little choice but to award another penalty. Having won the spot kick Hare wasn’t able to convert it, rolling it wide of the left post. There were still more goals in the game though and Hobnob got their second equalizer of the day when Davies’ inswinging corner missed everyone and Cheng did well to keep it in. He had a bit of time and space and the centre back delivered a beautiful cross to the far post for DAVIES to volley in. It was a superb bit of technique from the winger who controlled his shot brilliantly. Loxwood thought they’d won it with 15 minutes remaining after Barter smashed in after a brisk counter attack but there was still drama. With only a few minutes left on the clock Hobnob got their third goal from a corner. Again it was a Davies inswinger and CHENG somehow managed to dive in low down and head in the final goal of the game.
Whilst there is still clearly work to be done in some areas the whole team should be pleased with a good performance against a side from a higher division. Especially in the first half an hour the ball was being moved around nicely and Loxwood were outplayed. There’s one more friendly left to get things sorted but there are lots of reasons for optimism at the club.
