Despair for Hobnob as a last minute own goal consigns them to a second defeat in a row.
An improved performance from Hobnob was not enough to prevent defeat to a Prince of Wales side that had not won a league all season. Mike Terry’s late own goal was joyously received by the opposition and left Hobnob wondering how they’d managed to lose.
The game started in a farcical manner when, firstly a kit change was required (Hobnob playing the duration with their shirts inside out) and secondly the non-appearance of a referee. The game was delayed by a quarter of an hour whilst a referee was found, a role very kindly taken by substitute Dave Harris. In the midst of the uncertainty Hobnob manager Terry was even forced to drive home to get some flags. Whilst he was away there was further confusion as it was decided to start the game in his absence, using bibs for flags. This necessitated a last minute change in team selection with Ed Bargent coming in for, the now absent, Terry.
When the game finally got underway PoW’s tactics became evident very early on. In their previous incarnation as Tilehurst Terriers they had proved very adept at using the long ball tactic and had frustrated Hobnob in all their prior meetings. The name may have changed but the approach remained the same. Time and again the ball was pumped into the air and time and again Cheng and Bargent were more than up to the task. Set pieces were proving to be a more potent weapon for the visitors and it was from a long throw that Chapman was off his line to deflect the ball away, hurting his ankle in the process. Shortly afterwards he was again in action as he tipped over from Cheng’s mistimed header. This sparked Hobnob into life but despite Davies and Turner having the run of the flanks there was little in the way of goalmouth action. Hobnob did take the lead however with a technique that is becoming very familiar to fans of the Nobbers. Tiltman was fouled just inside the PoW half and Plant smashed it goalwards with the keeper again off his line and unable to get a touch.
So it stayed into the second half which proved to be much of the same. There was good link up play in midfield but the cutting edge was missing. PoW got their equalizer against the run of play when a fairly hopeful punt from a cleared corner looped in under the bar. A total fluke against the run of play but it was a much needed wake up call for Hobnob. Paine, Robertson, Plant and Davies all went close but there were perhaps a few too many touches in the box on occasion. PoW seemed happy to settle for a point when the game, rather aptly, ended in farce. Substitute Nunn’s back pass was wildly mishit forcing a bizarre, but brilliant, header over the bar from Chapman. From the resulting corner the other substitute Terry sliced the ball over the line and into his own net. A freak goal that was all the more bizarre for seeing Bargent doubled over after getting the ball in the unmentionables. There was barely time for kick off and for the second game in a row a lack of penetration cost Hobnob dear.
A much improved performance from the previous week with Davies, Chapman and Bargent impressing. This will be slim comfort for Hobnob though who will be left scratching their heads about how they contrived to lose this.
