Johnny Hare’s brace rescues a hard earned point for a patched together Hobnob
With several players missing Hobnob were forced into a multitude of changes for their game against Real Reading. Manager Mike Terry, along with top scorer Rich Paine, captain Warren Cheng, James Plant, Ed Bargent, Chris Chapman and Dan Robertson were all away on international duty (they were getting pissed in Germany) and with Dave Harris injured and Clifford Davies still suspended, stand in manager Dan Hare was left with the unenviable task of selecting a starting XI. He was boosted in this by the midweek signings of Johnny and Joe Hare and the ending of the self imposed exile of Dave Gale. The two new Hares formed a new central defensive partnership behind first time Hobnob goalie Matt Bargent. Despite the mass of absentees the rest of the side had a strongish look about it with regulars Daniel Cross and Dan Hare returning to the starting line up.
With Tom Robertson the only surviving member of the defence from last week, it was perhaps inevitable that the early stages of the game would be a little bit fraught and that it would take a bit of time to settle. This proved to be the case and frustratingly Real Reading were able to take advantage twice. With barely 10 minutes on the clock their forward was able to collect a long ball and chip the on rushing Bargent. Four minutes later they were again given too much space, this time from a throw in and despite getting a good hand to the shot, it was hit with too much force for Bargent to keep it out. It was a poor start and many of the crowd were beginning to think that the writing was on the wall for Hobnob but if that was the script, they weren’t going to stick to it. Spurred on by some thumping challenges from Bolton in midfield, Hobnob had their first meaningful attack and forced a corner from which Johnny Hare headed narrowly over. In fact set pieces and corners in particular were providing Hobnob with their best opportunities and Matt Bolton will feel he should have scored when he was left unmarked in the six yard box but was only able to head Turner’s corner straight at the goalkeeper. With these chances Hobnob’s confidence was improving, Real were creating very little and Hobnob were beginning to find gaps. Both Pulfer and Tiltman almost got onto loose balls and it was only sharp work from the goalkeeper that kept the score at 2-0 at the break.
Half time had been called early after a Real player hurt his knee in a tackle with Tiltman. He was unable to continue into the second half and Real were forced to play with 10 men. To their credit they continued to play well and at no point did they really let their loss show. However, Hobnob started the second half with a renewed vigour and the decision to man mark the Real central midfielder was reaping dividends as they were unable to make much use of the ball. Hobnob were having no such problems and when Dan Hare was fouled, Turner was able to swing in a good delivery. This time there was no mistake made as a sliced clearance fell invitingly for Johnny Hare to nod in a debut goal. The goal put them on the front foot and they began to exert some real pressure, even the enforced withdrawal of the impressive Joe Hare didn’t change much. Rob Tan came on for his debut and the reshuffle worked. Good hold up play from Tan in the area allowed Tiltman to knock the ball across for Pulfer who, 20 yards out was able to control on his chest and with flawless technique smash it goalwards. The ball swerved in two directions as it shot past the hapless goalkeeper. It was a fabulous strike that was all the better for the match situation and it gave Hobnob a deserved equalizer. Not content with a point, the shots began to rain down on Real’s goal; Bolton’s 30 yarder being well stopped, captain for the day Gale firing comically wide and Dan Hare’s cheeky turn and shot cannoning off the bar. There only seemed to be one winner at this point but with 5 minutes left on the clock a long ball forward caught the defence out and the striker was able to nip in and lob the oncoming Bargent. It was against the run of play but Hobnob responded well, pushing more men forward. They were almost caught out again by another through ball but this time Bargent saved well at the attacker’s feet. A counter attack was launched and in practically the last play of the game, they won a corner. With all bar Bargent and corner taker Turner in the box, the ball couldn’t have been better placed as Johnny Hare rose highest at the far post to head in the equalizer. The relief was palpable and capped a superb performance from the debutant.
At the final whistle there were mixed feelings as the elation of the last minute goal gave way to disappointment that they weren’t able to take all three points. Despite that I suspect that any of the side would have taken a point before the game and certainly at 2-0. What the game did prove however was the remarkable spirit and camaraderie that is prevalent at the club. Despite the absence of so many regulars the club were able to field 12 players who all worked phenomenally hard for the cause. There aren’t many teams across the country, let alone the league, that would be able to do the same.
There will be interesting selection issues in the coming weeks for the return Mike Terry as he has to juggle several in-form players. Its a nice position to be in for the club and hopefully these good performances will begin to produce victories again.
