So the Reserves finally got their season and title defence started after Uni pulling out last week. As they welcomed Keens Park Rangers to a Sun kissed Badger Park. With the first team taking Keeper Day and Charlie in the week. The gaffer despite the injury list still had a strong squad to pick from. With Batch and Josh going with the A team. And Joe Dudgeon still on the naughty step.

After all the talk in the build up the Dons started poorly and Keens Park were rewarded for their bright start with a goal within the first 5 mins. The Dons rode their luck after this and were indebted to Mullins with a smart low down save.

Keens Park were controlling the game with the Dons chasing shadows but despite this no clear cut chances were following to the visitors with only long shots not troubling Mullins in goal. Hambledon started to settle and it became clear they would get some joy if played the simple game. With Cheesman giving them all sorts of problems when facing the defence up. With the defenders diving in.

The Dons had their equaliser when cheese played in down the left from Paul Bradbury. Beat his defender too easily to finish into the bottom corner. Their keeper was then forced off with a hammy and decided to treat the fans to his six pack and walking off topless. With a sub going in he managed to spill a couple of regulation crosses but no one was in place to captialise.

The Dons had themselves infront just before the half when Cheese again beat his man too easily and Andy Hinks was in the right place to finish his cross to claim a debut goal. So somehow the Dons went into the break 2-1 up without playing well.

Paul Cook and Ollie Jones were introduced at half time. The next goal would be crucial and the Dons had this when Paul Bradbury caught the sub keeper off his line with an outrageous long distance shot. 3-1 and surely game over.

Cheese was subbed as his summer exploits had clearly taken their toll. With another debut handed out to Oli Neal. Keens Park then had a chance to get back into the game. When a nothing long ball wasn;t dealt with by the Dons and the Keens Park player needed no second invitation to curl a peach into the top corner. 3-2 and game on.

Keens Park had their tails up and it wasn’t long before they were level. Again the Dons not dealing with a simple cross and the midfielder snuck in to finish well 3-3.

There was plenty of time for a winner with Cheese introduced back on. Keens Park were adamant they should have had at least one penalty but smashing the ball at someone’s stationary hand from 2 yards just simply isn’t a penalty.
Somehow the Keens Park player was spared the Sin Bin despite calling the ref a fu*king joke.
The Dons had a couple of scrappy chances to snatch a winner but in truth they barely troubled the sub keeper in the second half.

Both sides will be disappointed not to have taken the three points. Keens Park for starting the better and the Dons for letting a 3-1 lead slip.
With Hersham setting the early pace there is plenty of work to do if the Dons want to successfully defend their title.

Next up Cranleigh visit Badger Park.

MOM - Cheese constant menace just needs some fitness.
Come On You Dons