Manager Matt Kiley had made a slight change to the formation with Adam Appleton moving to play alongside Paul Wicks in a 4-4-2 in an attempt to get at Yateley’s back line early doors.

A Wicks cross that found Appleton in the box with back to goal, he then laid the ball off to the on-rushing Gavin Montgomery, whose shot had a bit too much mustard sauce on it for the Yateley keeper to stop to put the Reds into the lead in the first 5 minutes.

This was an ideal start for Hambledon, although they were not able to stop Yateley working their way back into the game, with a couple of good moves of their own testing the Hambledon defence and, on occasion, Ian Day in goal.

Yateley were winning a few too many free-kicks and corners and winning the aerial battles from those set pieces, but failing to hit the target.

The Dons managed to double their lead on the half hour mark with a great move coming out from the back and through the midfield. Paul Wicks played the ball into feet for Adam Appleton on the half turn, who then floated an audacious lob (much to the chagrin of Wicks who was hoping for a give-and-go) over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net from 30 yards.

A third quickly followed, solidifying Hambledon’s momentum, with Ian Goodall sliding a ball down the left flank for Paul Wicks to run onto. Wicks squeezed off a shot from a narrow angle, which took a deflection before the keeper then bundled it into his own net. Despite the protestations of many of the Hambledon side - the goal was awarded to Wicks.

The Dons saw out the rest of the half with no real trouble coming their way, in spite of the good positions that Yateley’s #10 and #9 were finding.

Half Time: Yateley 0 - 3 Hambledon

The Reds knew the importance of not letting up on their opponents, regardless of the 3-0 lead, it was vital to get a good win in the bank and preferably with a few more goals to boot.

However, Yateley came out the blocks quickly, knowing they could only get anything out of the game by method of all out attack.

The Dons had to make sure their defence was in order, and the core of Matt Kiley, skipper Liam Tanner and Ian Day organising their defensive shape to great effect.

Dave Tye was introduced for Gavin Montgomery, giving him his first piece of league action this campaign. Appleton moved to the left to bring Tye alongside Wicks at the front.

The Dons were trying hard to extend their lead, a Paul Wicks nutmeg on the halfway line nearly opened a door, as did a Tye shot that went over the bar from the edge of the box.

However, it didn’t take long for Tye to find his shooting boots as he was played through by Marlon and slotted the ball confidently past the keeper to put Hambledon into a near unassailable 4-0 lead.

The away side did, however, start to tire on the heavy Yateley pitch, and with about 20 minutes to go, Yateley found a goal as their quick winger (who later stacked it trying to jump over the perimeter fence to much hilarity) used his pace to finally beat the backline and, latterly, Ian Day.

The nerves of the Dons was furthered tested 10 minutes later, when Yateley found a second and with it started to find some belief that they could get something from the game.

Fortunately the Reds managed to hold firm for the remainder of the game, playing the ball smartly until they heard the final whistle - successfully returning to winning ways to put the pressure on Windelsham and Woking & Horsell, whose top of the table clash was postponed.

The Dons face Chertsey Old Salesians at home in the County Cup 2nd round next week, hoping to keep their quadruple hopes alive!

Full Time: Yateley 2 - 4 Hambledon
Montgomery
Appleton
Wicks
Tye

Man of the Match: Ian Day