The Dons travelled to Waterers Park to face Knaphill in a tricky looking away tie. With the torrential rain all week it really was Waterers Park. But the Council had a cunning plan to get the game on. Just let the grass grow really long.

The Dons were dealt a blow in the morning with First team keeper Ian Day pulling out and Josh was promoted up. With A team keeper Mullins unavailable to call on and Ollie ‘the cat’ Cummings sunning himself on holiday it was left to the Gaffa Matt Kiley to take the gloves.

Despite this handicap the Dons still had a strong line up and looked to take the game to Knaphill from the off. This led to instant rewards with the Knaphill keeper failing to deal with a Charlie Reddick cross and in the ensuing melay Ben Hodkin was able to stab home. With some debate whether it was really an OG. But the striker wasn’t having his first goal for the club taken away.

The Dons were soon two up with the Knaphill keeper again struggling in the wet conditions and again Ben Hodkin was able to profit and no doubt this was his goal. The Dons were blunting the Knaphill attack and protecting their stand in keeper from much early action.
The Dons had their third and surely the game was put to bed early. When Paul ‘Pirlo’ Wicks switched the play to put Joe in. He got the wrong side of his defender and shrugged him off to finish in the corner and give the keeper no chance.

Knaphill started to threaten more with willing runners from midfield and were forcing some set pieces. Matt Kiley nearly did a John Lukic against Rangers *cue half the team googling this to see who the hell he was. But luckily the ball cleared the crossbar.
A bit of controversy at the end of the half with another Knaphill corner swung to the back post with their defender trying to punch it in. With the Ref showing a yellow the delightful number 10 decided to give Joel a Glasgow kiss. But escaped any action.

Half time and a pretty comfortable half for the Dons with the only blow losing Max Dodson to injury. Marlon Gibson and Ollie Jones were introduced to give some fresh legs. But it was Knaphill who started brightly and took the game to the Dons. With their young left winger causing issues down the flank. But a mixture of some solid defending and some wayward finishing the Dons 3 goal lead remained intact.
The Dons had their fourth and any doubts put to bed when Joe Dudgeon was taken out in the box by the Knaphill defender for a stone wall penalty. Despite the protests of some of his team mates Paul Wicks stepped up with his trademark skip to make no mistake from the spot.

The Dons missed numerous chances to add to the score with Marlon Gibson missing a header from a corner and Paul Wicks trying to find the top corner first time when he had the freedom of the penalty box. Cheese was crudely taken out when baring down on goal as Knaphill started to pick up a few yellows.

With Kiley rarely troubled in goal, more of a concern was the dangerous dog mauling a piece of wood in the childs playground behind the goal.

The Dons had their 5th after good work from Marlon Gibson. And this time Paul Wicks made no mistake.

A very important three points away to Knaphill who are always a tricky opponents. Who will take points off the top teams. Three clean sheets in a row at any level is impressive. And the Dons will know Knaphill will be after revenge next week when the Don return to Waterers Park for the League Cup. Will the Council have cut the pitch though? Doubtful.

MOM – Paul Wicks all action display in the middle of the park caped off with two goals including a rare converted penalty.