Hoban the hero as U's beat Robins 4-0
Patrick Hoban scored another hat trick as United powered past local rivals Swindon Town in a development game this afternoon. Hoban’s second hat trick in two games gave the U’s a convincing victory, with a trialist scoring the other goal in a thoroughly entertaining 90 minutes.
United took the lead after 20 minutes when some poor defending from the visitors gifted the ball to the trialist who slipped the ball through for Hoban who made the finish from twelve yards look simple.
The U’s then had further chances to extend that lead when Canice Carroll hit the bar when he should really have done better, Jonny Giles forced a good save from the keeper after breaking free on the left and Rose forced the Robins keeper into another good stop.
Swindon, with former United player Jeremy Balmy on the right wing created one or two half chances but keeper Benji Buchel coped well behind Robbie Cundy, Carroll and Charlie Hawtin while the energy of Aidan Hawtin at right back provided a great way of linking defence and attack. With Rose and Ruffels seeing plenty of the ball the only surprise was that it took until the 43rd minute before the trialist made it 2-0 with a powerful run into the box and a powerful finish from ten yards.
More shocking defending from the Robins then handed the U’s a third goal in the third minute of the second half as the keeper passed with deadly accuracy to AJ George who ran thirty yards with the ball and squared it for Hoban who finished calmly from six yards out.
A minute later and Hoban had his hat trick when Giles slipped him the ball on the left and the Irish striker cut inside then unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top left of the corner to make it 4-0 and seal his second hat trick in two games.
George almost made it five when he burst into the box but couldn’t force the ball beyond the advancing keeper, sub Lewis Hayden did the same on 80, but the outcome was beyond all doubt by then.
An excellent win and performance, with Hoban pressing his claims as the U's head for Stevenage on Saturday.
United
Buchel, A Hawtin, Cundy, Carroll (McCormack 83), C Hawtin, George, Rose (Hayden 78), Ruffels (Ashby 55), Giles, Trialist, Hoban (Humphreys 70)