Poor defending costs Hobnob dear as their winless streak continues with a 4-3 home defeat to second bottom Reeves Rangers
Hobnob's run of defeats continued after the Palmer Park pitch was surprisingly d ok to play on after days of cold weather. Playing in red bibs due to a kit clash, Hobnob made three changes from the cup defeat to Kidmore End with Turner, Davies and Cheng dropping out (the latter to kindly referee the game) to be replaced by Hare (fresh from refereeing duties), Bolton (returning from international competition) and new, joint record signing Ian Pulfer. Manager Mike Terry choosing to play all four of his strikers in an aggressive 4-4-2.
Perhaps it was the surprise nature of the game, with many expecting it to be cancelled, or maybe it was because it was the first game most had played in three weeks but Hobnob started sluggishly. Most of the early play was with Reeves Rangers and they got their reward for a spirited start by earning a penalty, Terry harshly adjudged to have handled the ball after it seemed to bounced up against his side. Justice was done however with Chapman pulling off a fantastic save low to his left and then managing to smother the rebound. Despite the early warning signs, Hobnob didn’t react, a ball over the top was misjudged and the small figure of the Rangers’ forward was able to hit a powerful shot from the edge of the box to open the scoring. This was swiftly followed by a ball in behind the right back Tom Robertson who was outpaced by their left winger, from a tight angle he was able to squeeze his shot past Chapman’s outstretched arm to double the lead. It was no more than they deserved. Hobnob finally began to muster some chances with first Pulfer firing wide and then Dan Robertson having a goal disallowed for offside. They managed to pull a goal back when Plant’s corner wasn’t cleared and after several rebounds, man of the match Bolton smashed it in from close range. This seem to spark the home side into life and the Rangers keeper made a good save at Dan Robertson’s feet. Hobnob grabbed the equalizer just before half time with a wonderful strike from Hare. Receiving the ball in midfield and 25 yards out, he was able to loop a beautiful effort beyond the keeper into the top corner.
The goal on half time should have given Hobnob the impetus to win the game but it wasn’t to be. Ranger’s continued to exploit the space behind the Hobnob defence and 15 minutes into the second half they were able to get their rewards for it. Similarly to their previous goal their winger was able to exploit his pace advantage over Tom Robertson to dash in behind him and find the top corner with a vicious finish. With Hobnob now having to push forward more, gaps were increasingly appearing. Bargent was unable to deal with a long ball (because of the interference of a striker in an offside position) and it fell to the winger to complete his hattrick. Hobnob were able to conjure up a consolation goal toward the end of the game when Plant was able to bundle home Tiltman’s cross but it was too little too late.
Ultimately Hobnob’s inability to deal with the long ball again cost them dear and it will be something that has to be dealt with. On the plus side, Terry’s attacking team selection showed promise, producing 3 goals and several half chances. Once again however they’ve been denied the points by a single goal. The pieces are all there but the side are currently unable to replicate their early season form but with a four games in hand on most of their league rivals, there will be plenty of opportunity to rectify this.
