Quarter Final of The League Cup.
After having this fixture called off twice due to a waterlogged pitch, everyone was delighted that the game would be played.
The pitch itself was in good condition except for one area in the middle of the park.
It was the third game between Shottermill & Hambledon this season and both sides knew they would be in for a tough afternoon.

The pre match team talk was sharp and to the point..We WILL win this match.
With it being a wide pitch, Hambledon looked to use the flanks early in the game and they did so down the left wing causing a few early problems for the home side. Will made a diagonal run from wide and timed his run to latch onto a pass from Wadey. Will's touch was perfect but his execution was not, and the ball went wide of the target.
Hambledon certainly took the opening 15 minutes to S&H, and the breakthrough came at that time. Some build up play from the right hand side saw Tanner move the ball into the midfield, a few exchanges from JC, Brad and Wadey saw the final ball over the top from Wadey reach Will who made the same run earlier in the game. This time he made no mistake, driving his strike low into the bottom corner. The keeper could and probably should have turned the ball away but it went under his right hand and into the back of the net.
0-1 Will.

At this point in the game Hambledon tried to maintain the pressure and flowing football but S&H were not here to lay down and roll over.The home sides first real chance came on 20 mintues when the left winger found himself in a good position just inside the 18 yard box, he cut back onto this right foot, Scott narrowed the angle of his goal but the wingers shot was placed into the bottom right corner- luckily for The Dons, Skipper Winter read the play and got himself back on the line to clear the ball away. The home side were now causing The Dons a few problems and another chance fell to their skipper on the half hour mark. Tanner reading the danger well came across to a centre half position to intercept the play, but failing to clear the ball, it fell to the striker who latched onto the ball and fired his shot on goal. Scott who had a quiet opening 30-35 minutes stood up well to parry the ball away and collect the rebound.
From that moment, The Dons played the ball out down the right, Tanner off loaded his pass to JC who jinked and jived around 3-4 players and rolled the ball into Wadey, who himself side stepped a player and laid the ball into Brad's path who took a few touches toward goal, set the ball in front of him and from 25 yards out unleashed a powerfull strike into the top left corner. The keeper again got a slight hand to it, but was not strong enough to keep the ball from swirling around the back of the net.
0-2 Brad & HT

Manager Tom let his players speak at HT for a few mintues before he gave his assessment of the first half. Pleased with his side being 2 up, he emphasised his teams concentration & work rate for the next 45 minutes. ' Work tirelessly & the game is ours'.
The Dons certainly did that, everyone gave it there all that half. The introduction of Lewis up top and Dom wide gave the away side much needed experience and compusre required to see the game out. A few half chances fell Hambledons away but no goals came. Wadey saw his initial effort bounce off the defenders foot to fall back into his path but his shot fizzed wide from 16 yards out.

With 10 minutes to go, it looked like S&H's striker was going to score & create a nervy final few minutes for Hambledon after being put through on goal his touch lead him slightly left of the 6 yard box and somehow Winter managed to get across at the vital moment to slide in and block his shot. The danger wasnt over, as the ball bounced back into the middle of the 6 yard box, but Adam was there to tuck in and put the other striker off who's shot trickled into Scotts welcoming hands.

FT 0-2.
Another strong performance from Hambledon and a cup Semi Final on the horizon. Dominant in goal, defence, midfield and attack it was a fantastic team display.

Up next is a home tie against Royal Holloway in the final group game of the Invitational Cup where Hambledon look to book there place in that competitions Semi Final.

MOTM JC
COYDS