Last week's capitulation lead to a rethink for Hobnob. Coming up against a bottom of the table Wokingham and Emmbrook, who had yet to win a game this season, it was back to basics with a 4-4-2. Mike Terry's poorly thumb ruled him out so once again the defence was rejigged. Jim Phillips dropped back to centre half with Tom Robertson restored to left back. With no Clifford Davies or Brendan Fitzsimons, options in midfield were limited so the return of Johnny Kelsall was timely as he slotted in the middle with Dave O'Neil. Ian Pulfer and Luke Walker started on the wings with Dans Robertson and Morris up top. Cripple corner was well represented on the sidelines with Mike Terry joined by Dave Miles and Will Rimmer, there was even an appearance of old boy Dean Walker! Amazing what a dugout and onsite cups of tea can do.
From the outset it was clear that this was two teams lacking in confidence with the neither really being able to settle on the ball early on. In many ways it makes for a tough match report to write. Hobnob were comfotable soaking up pressure and looking to attack on the break. By and large that was successful with Wokingham & Emmbrook limited mostly to pot shots from range. On the odd occasion that they did break through their final ball was poor or Chapman was quickly off his line to mop up. On the counter life was made a little harder for Hobnob with an early injury to Dan Robertson when he tweaked his hamstring. Ever determined to break his scoring duck for the season, and aware that there was only one sub, he decided to continue. An admirable attitude but it did make countering at pace tricky. Just prior to his injury though, Robertson had the chance of the game when out through by O'Neil. He beat the defender for pace but was denied the opener by a big left paw, thrown out by the keeper.
It was a marked improvement from the last few weeks and, all cliches aside, the opening goal was going to make a massive difference to both sides' confidence. It was vital the it went to the men in yellow. Some neat interplay between Tom Robertson and Kelsall and Pulfer found the ball at his feet. He turned the ball into the path of Morris who put in a beauty of a through ball behind the defence for Dan Robertson. Injury or no, he instinctivly dinked the ball over the goalkeeper for his first of the season. Not long after and the points were secured. Having survived a succession of corners Hobnob had one of their own. Luke Walker drilled it to the near post where Tom Robertson had the goal at his mercy but somehow didn't manage to get enough on the ball to force it in. Fortunatly for him Phillips was charging in behind him and bundled it into the net. The final twenty minutes proved to be a bit backs to the wall but the side kept their shape well and were never really threatened at the end. Phillips and Cheng didn't look like the pairing that they were and Cross really impressed. The left winger had some real pace but the Hobnob right back had him in his pocket all game.
A win after a 6-2 defeat (especially with 8-2 and 4-0 defeats prior to that) is obviously a massive improvent but there was a bit of a swagger to Hobnob's game. There were still the customary Chapman worldies and more could have been created but Hobnob always looked in control. Time to build on that and ensure it's not just a flash in the pan
