An eventful start to the season for Hobnob who saw their performance match the weather against FC Whitley Reserves.
The starting XI was as expected. Warren Cheng’s late registration ruled him out and saved a bit of a selection issue at centre back with Dean Walker coming in for his debut. Dan Robertson’s absence also meant another decision was made up front and Daniel Cross’ good pre-season earned him the right back berth. A full complement of 5 subs meant that there were plenty of options available.
After a lengthy trek from the changing rooms and a brief concern over a lack of opposition, new captain Matt Bolton won the toss and elected to play downhill first half. Having the advantage of managing a warm up certainly helped Hobnob as they had all the early pressure. Clifford Davies and Dan Hare were making good ground on the wings and Pulfer should have perhaps done better with a sharp chance (although the offside flag would have ruled it out anyway). The early efforts were rewarded though with a truly excellent goal. Cross brought the ball out of defence and neat one-two between Hare and Pulfer left the full back in no man’s land; Pulfer got his cross away and PAINE somehow managed to volley in with the outside of his boot. It was a lovely flowing move and showed Hobnob’s attacking flair at its very best. They continued to press and it should have been 2—0 shortly after. Firstly Pulfer could only sidefoot Davies’ cross at the goalkeeper and then Bolton headed wide. The chances were coming thick and fast but Whitley punished the lack of clinical finishing. A fairly innocuous ball through bounced wickedly of Walker’s shin into the path of the oncoming player who showed great composure to dink it over the on rushing Chapman. The game began to settle down after the goal with the referee being particularly pernickety, booking two Whitley players, one for kicking the ball away and the other for blocking a free kick. He further angered the visitors when, with 5 minutes of the first half remaining he awarded what looked like a very soft penalty for handball. Pulfer stepped up and confidently put it in the top corner, only to be ordered to retake it thanks to Plant’s exuberance in getting into the area. He made no mistake second time round though and PULFER made it three penalties in three games (if you include friendlies).
It could have been a very different second half. Paine’s mazy dribble straight from kick off saw him go round 4 players but he couldn’t quite find the finish that may well have sealed the points. Instead the half steadily slipped away from Hobnob. With the slope now in their favour and with nothing to lose Whitley pushed on. The rain that had begun as a light drizzle became torrential and this played no small part in their equaliser. A free kick on the edge of the area was whipped in straight at Chapman but with no grip he was unable to hold the ball and into the net it went. As is so often the case with Hobnob one goal brought two and Whitley’s third was a beauty. Minutes after the equaliser a corner was half cleared only for their defender to curl in an absolute stunner on his left foot giving Chapman no chance. With 20 minutes remaining there was still time for drama and controversy. Whitley thought they had won a penalty for a challenge by Davies in the box only for the referee to not only give the decision the way of the home side but also to book the striker for his reaction. It was his second yellow and Hobnob suddenly had a way back into the game. That way back didn’t last long though as Whitley swiftly made it 4-2 and then an under hit backpass gifted them with the chance to make it 5. In monsoon like conditions Hobnob failed to adapt their game and never really looked like clawing their way back. Circumstance had slightly conspired against them with Whitley having the advantage of the slope when the conditions were at their worst but in the last 20 minutes there was only ever going to be one winner.
A miserable start to the season then for Hobnob who will be left wondering quite what happened. Whilst it’s true the lead at half time should probably have been more, in the second half they often looked devoid of ideas. The weather certainly didn’t help but Whitley adapted much better and much quicker. On the bright side it is unlikely we will have to play in conditions like that again this year and the only way is up from here on in.
