The Dons didn't have long to try and put right Saturday's poor performance against Cranleigh behind them with a mid week trip to face Keens Park. A tough ask for a 18:15pm KO but we managed to get there to have a short warm up before KO.

Joel Alderton continued his policy of missing Keens Park games with his third absence in a row. With questions being asked had he been intimated by the Keens Park Mafia. As he and Louis headed to Devon for a week away. Fortunately for the Dons Luffy dropped down from the first team to help out.

The talk before the game was to raise the intensity from the weekend and take the game straight to Keens Park. For once the lads were listening and the Dons had an early goal. With Ben beating the young keeper to a exquisite Boxall through ball to finish well. The Dons were pressing all over the pitch not letting the oppo settle as they looked to find their big target man up top.

The Dons were forcing a succession of throws and corners as they sought to increase their lead. Luffy saw a flicked header onto the cross bar and Jamie Grove found the keeper / post. The play was being interrupted with a fussy ref who couldn't quite make his mind up on what was a foul for competing in the air. Keens were defending Batch's long throw well and despite the lions share of the ball the Dons were not working the home keeper as much as they should have.

Keens had a couple of half chances but their final ball was over hit and Callum was relatively untroubled in goal. The best chance coming from a sliced clearance wide from Hambledon.

Half time and the talk was more of the same. We knew the job was half done and a big effort was needed second half.

Not quite the slope at Badger Park but Keens had this to their advantage in the second as they pushed for a way back into the game. They had their goal on the hour mark. A very disappointing one to conceded with a Callum goal kick headed back with some force the Dons back four were caught flat footed. And their tricky winger seized upon the ball to dribble and put a shot in off the post from the edge of the area. He always seems to play that one ressies game against us every year.

Keens were strengthened further with the intro of Michael Woods who made a big difference with his hold up play and running. Charlie and Toby were introduced as the Dons looked to freshen their attack up. The game was really in the balance now with both teams going for the win. Neither keeper was particularly tested. Keens goal scorer whipped a free kick just wide with Callum confidently seeing it wide. Not so much on the Dons bench who thought it had creped in.

The Dons were battling to the end no one more so then Man of the Match Dave Tye who seemed to be everywhere in the second half. The Dons were unable to capitalise on a weird keeper starting position on corners as he set up on the penalty spot. Dave had a good chance at the end but his shot was wide. A Keens player stupidly shouted to try and put him off with the Ref giving an indirect freekick. Fortunately for said player the Dons training ground routine was off target with Charlie firing high and wide.

Keens had a couple of chances to win at the end with a few dangerous corners but the Dons held out. Was it a valuable point or two lost. It remains to be seen. The main beneficiaries were the watching Hersham management team.

Next up is Shottermill at home as the Dons will look to avenge their early season defeat.

MOM Dave Tye covered every blade of grass. Keeps telling us he scores goals on a Sunday. Must wear different boots.