Match report by George Shiangoli:

Hambledon are now third in the league after emerging unscathed from a physical test against new boys Surrey Dynamos at a sun-soaked Badger Park on Saturday. The glorious conditions played host to an ill-tempered first 45 minutes in which the Dynamos brought the brutal physicality and intense competitiveness of the Sunday League to the Dons. However, after a highly charged first half that threatened to descend out of the official’s control, the Dons asserted their authority on the game in the second period and emerged sound winners after the Dynamos tired.

All of the pre-match talk was geared towards being ready for a tough afternoon. The Surrey Dynamos had started the day two points clear of the Dons, albeit having played a game extra. It was also immediately apparent that the team had hired some new recruits since making their Guildford and Woking Alliance league debut back in September; marrying youthful exuberance with the existing old guard.

Alex Mussell made 5 changes from last week’s success in the cup: Dominic O’Donnell, Darren Martin and George Shiangoli all returned to the fold. The Dons were also boosted by the return of Thomas Whiteford who had been out injured since the first game of the season, and Simon Boxall made a first appearance for the A’s this season as he stepped up his rehab from injury.

Hambledon elected to start attacking uphill and into the low November sun and got off to the perfect start. Practically from kick-off, good combination play from Andrew Michelmore down the left resulted in Darren Martin feeding an inch-perfect through ball to the onrushing Sam Simmons who finished neatly beating the keeper at his near post. A fast start but any thoughts that this might be a walk in the park were immediately extinguished. Straight from the restart, the Dynamos forced their first corner of the game. The resulting delivery headed back across goal but fortunately for the Dons, the attacker lost his footing and the opportunity at an open goal.

After that early flurry of chances, the game settled into a pattern. Adam Palenicek and Simon Boxall did well to establish some early rhythm, splaying balls out to Elijah Taylor and Sammy Coombe, making good use of the wide Badger Park pitch. However, it was also evident that the away side enjoyed a good full-blooded, lunging tackle or two. The intense physicality of the contest largely went unnoticed from the ref and clearly rattled the Dons who started getting wasteful in possession. It came as some relief therefore when a two goal cushion was established. A clever turn from Darren Martin after Ollie Jones’ through ball was brought sharply to a halt by a Dynamos hack in the penalty area. The resulting spot kick was saved down low by the keeper, but unluckily for him the Dons were quickest to react and Alex Mussell slammed home the rebound.

Unfortunately, any momentum that could have materialised from going two goals up was almost instantly snuffed out. Surrey Dynamos were next awarded a penalty of their own, even though the collision in the box looked relatively innocuous considering what had gone on prior. However, the penalty was dispatched with aplomb and the game was back in the balance. Julian Robinson was brought on to sure up the defence, but the momentum had already swung back to the away side again. A dipping volley from a Dynamos counter attack slammed back off the crossbar and Matt Mullins didn’t take too kindly to the contact he was getting from the attackers. Eventually the pressure told just before half time. A free kick from the right was headed by a dynamos player who lost his marker and nestled into the bottom corner - all square at the break.

After some strong words from Carlo at half time, the Dons made two changes - Andy Parkin entered the midfield battle to add some extra bite and Thomas Whiteford brought fresh legs to the wings. The start of the second half saw the complexion of the match entirely change. After the half-time team talk, the Dons were sharper in the tackle and quicker in possession of the ball. Hambledon now looked comfortable in their shape, Simon Boxall and Lewis Gunner marshalling the defence and midfield superbly. They also looked dangerous on the counter attack and one such move released Darren Martin in behind the defence again. For the second time today, he was tripped in the box and the home side were awarded their second penalty. No rebound required this time as Alex Mussell slammed the spot kick home. Soon after, Darren Martin notched up his third assist of the day, again getting in behind the defence and squaring the ball for Sam Simmons to bag his second of the game.

The two goal lead was now re-established, only this time, the Dons never looked like relinquishing the advantage. If anything the lead could have been extended further. A sublime flowing move from the attacking quartet ended with Darren Martin unfortunately blazing over from close range. Dominic O’Donnell and George Shiangoli were brought on for the last 15 minutes to see out the remainder of the game.

There was still time for Darren Martin to come even closer to notching the goal that his performance deserved. A free kick on the right was whipped in by Simon Boxall, only for Martin’s glancing header to come back off the crossbar. At the other end, a free kick for the Dynamos was headed back across goal and Andy Parkin was on hand to superbly deny the attacker an open goal, the blocked effort pounced on by the alert Matt Mullins.

Despite the scare, Hambledon saw out the rest of the game with a measure of control and composure (well at least most of the time). A game that started at a frenetic pace, with a number of ugly tackles exchanged, eventually fizzled out as a spectacle as Surrey Dynamos wilted in the late autumn sun. The Dons wouldn’t care one bit though as they leapfrogged their opponents in the table, and continued their unbeaten streak of games in November.

COYDs!