With a couple of seasons break due to covid and a big first team league last season. The Reserves Challenge Cup made a return this season. A competition the Dons have managed to be losing finalists for the past 3 competitions. Could they put this hoodoo to bed, a very tough side of the cup draw would mean they would have to do it the hard way.

In the first round they were drawn against Guildford United Reserves a team they had already faced twice this season. Chris Slater fell foul of the sickness bug and it seemed they wasn't a Dons player without a cough. The Home changing room was not a healthy place to be. Gav was also missing taking his Mrs away to celebrate his POTM nomination.

Dudgeon and Balls were suited for the occasion as Jamie Grove gladly waited for more late comers to fall foul of the forfeit wheel. Dave Tye completed his PB in the toilets a truly magnificence smell greeted the arriving players. Before the Elephant in the room was confronted. Aidan's Ugg boots, my feet are warm I don't care as he shrugged his shoulders to the abuse.

The game started slowly for the Dons in cold conditions and a sticky pitch. The Dons were giving the ball away and dwelling too long on it. Rob Griffiths was closed down and gave a way a back pass but Guildford were unable to take advantage of the gift. The Dons had a couple of decent forays down the right before a straight forward route one set piece gave them the games first goal. Rob G nodded on a Dave Tye throw for Vinnie Martin to hook home.

The Dons never really got going, Vinnie Martin saw an effort wide before the Guildford Keeper kept out a Dave Tye freekick with his feet. The keeper was again on hand to save with his feet from Tye as the Dons tried to work the short corner routine. The Dons had a very important goal just before half time. Ben Hodkin battled for the ball before the ball was worked out to Jamie Grove, his cross evaded everyone in the box to leave Matt Trevail with a tap in at the back post.

Half Time 2-0 in a half where Hambledon never really got going.

The Dons had one foot in the next round with an early second half goal. Aidan on as a sub beat his man to the ball which Jamie Grove played in first time to Vinnie. The youngster still had a lot to do but made it look easy finishing across goal. Guildford had a penalty shout with the striker getting in between Rob and Aidan but the Ref felt he lost the ball and went down. This one definitely fell into I've seen them given category. Cottam then tipped a long range effort over as Guildford had not thrown in the towel just yet.

Thomas O'Neil came on for Joe Moore in a bizarre twist the Ref seemed to forget and challenge Thomas to why he was on the pitch 5 minutes later. He escaped with a stern telling off. Ben Hodkin forced the oppo keeper into another unorthodox save as the Dons looked to make sure. With the keeper again thwarting Hodkin.

However the Dons had the game won when Jamie Grove kept in a wayward Tye shot to cross back in, for Rob Griffiths to head home. Vinnie Martin added a similar goal to his second to wrap up his hatrick and MOM. And Guildford had a goal back right at the death.

Not a vintage Dons performance by any means but safely into the next round. Where they will face Staines Lammas away.

MOM - Vinnie Martin hatrick and always a danger in attack