Hambledon faced the only team to beat them this season Shottermill & Haslemere at a sun kissed Badger Park. Cheese joined the two Alderton brothers away. As Luffy continued to deputize for Joel while Matty Metcalfe dropped down from the First team for minutes despite advances from a local rival to turn out for them. The Dons needed three points to keep a faltering title charge on course after 3 consecutive draws.

They had the first shoot in anger as Dave Tye out muscled his opponent but his left foot shot went harmlessly wide. Q well worked short corner by Jamie Grove and Petri saw Batch head just wide. But the Dons didn't have long to wait for the first goal. A Batch long throw wasn't dealt with my the keeper. Metcalfe recylced the ball back to Batch. And what happens next depends on who you speak to. Delete as appropriate Batch turned into Cantona seeing the keeper stranded chipped him / Batch overhit a cross / Defender and keeper combine to bundle hope a wide shot from Batch. Either way the Dons were 1-0 up.

Good work form Ben down the left released Jay but the defence recovered to clear his cross for a corner. Callum was relatively untroubled in goal. Saving routinely from a header. The Dons were pushing for the second but found the opposition keeper in inspired form. First saving well from Jay Grove after Mere failed to deal with another long throw. Then an even better save from Ben after Petri had robbed the ball and delivered a cross. With Shottermill looking for a flag that never came.

Mere somehow cleared after a corner was dropped by the Keeper but Ben couldn't force home, thwarted by the defender on the line and then the keeper. Good work by Ben found Metcalfe who laid the ball off to Jo but his fierce shot was beaten away by the keeper. Half time 1-0 to the Dons in a similar match to the away game. Could Hambledon finish the job this time.

The second half started in similar vain. With both Cookie and Ben close. Before Metcalfe put the game to bed. A long ball from Jay was headed down into the path of Matt by Luffy. The number 6 stood with his arm in the air for a long time but the Ref was well placed as Matt finished coolly.

The Dons had their third and the three points as Metcalfe headed home a Batch throw in. Toby, Charlie and Bradders were introduced. Toby came close before a rare foray into the box by Petri saw his shot just wide. Metcalfe should have had a hatrick and Toby saw the rebound onto the post acrobatically.

In the end a fairly routine win as the Dons secured three valuable points. Next up are inform University of Surrey on Tuesday.

MOM - Metcalfe two very important goals to settle the game.