Match report by George Shiangoli:

Hambledon paid the price for failing to make their early dominance tell as Woking Tigers battled to a draw at a cold and wet West Byfleet Rec. The Dons started brightly but failed to make any meaningful inroads past the Tigers’ defence with the home goalkeeper having a very quiet afternoon. With the sides in a perpetual state of deadlock, the Tigers improved after the break and looked most likely to score by the time the referee blew the full-time whistle.

Both teams started the day high on confidence - the Dons were on an unprecedented 4 game winning streak in November, while the Tigers had only lost one of their previous 5 league games; beating table toppers Hindhead Athletic in the process. However, it was the away side that settled quickest in the opening exchanges. Both Sam Simmons and Thomas Whiteford had early sights of the Woking goal and Elijah Taylor worked tirelessly to find space in the forward line. In support of the front three, Lawrence Bourke was breaking from centre while Andy Parkin solidified the base of the midfield trio.

Despite the early dominance in terms of territory and possession, the Dons will be disappointed that they failed to trouble the Woking Tigers’ keeper. A succession of early corners came to nothing and severable speculative efforts from outside the box were all that the Dons could muster, despite almost the entirety of the first 15mins being played in the Woking half.

However, after surviving the early storm, the Tigers grew in confidence and started to pose a threat at the other end. Matt Mullins did superbly well to hold onto a bouncing shot from the angle and did even better moments later to tip over a rising effort. A combination of Matt Mullins and Julian Robinson cleared a goal-bound header from a corner off the line and the keeper was called into action again, holding onto a fierce shot from close proximity.

As the first half drew to a close, the game became more stretched with the home side perhaps too eager in throwing men forward. As a result of this, the Dons carved open the Woking with ease for the first time in the match. A swift counter attack provided an excellent ball from the right to an onrushing Elijah Taylor, through on goal, but unfortunately his first time effort was sliced wide. Moments later, a Sam Simmons cross from the left was met by the diving Taylor whose header unluckily dropped the wrong side of the post.

Hambledon made two changes at half time in an attempt to wrestle back control of the game and rediscover the fast attacking play that was evident in the previous two outings. Dean Knight made his Hambledon debut; coming on for Thomas Whiteford, and Marlon Gibson replaced Lawrence Bourke in the midfield. However, if anything the second half descended into a scrap with neither side able to establish any kind of momentum and passing rhythm. Dean Knight looked lively on the right wing and had a well-timed header incorrectly ruled out for offside. Earlier, Knight also managed to trick his way in behind the defence but his pull-back unfortunately evaded everyone.

It was a recurring theme that epitomised the story of the second half for Hambledon. The final pass or shot in and around the box didn’t quite have the required quality or accuracy to trouble Woking. At the same time, the midfield failed to support the attackers with as much regularity as the half wore on and any chance of fast counter attacks were extinguished with sloppy passes or rushed clearances. The positives instead were mainly directed towards the defence and holding midfield. Dominic O’Donnell, Alex Mussell and Lewis Gunner were all imperious in the air while Andrew Michelmore, who’s fast becoming the consistent performer, was again solid at left back. Even the normally attack minded winger Ben Taggart was disciplined in his display on the right side of defence. Andy Parkin, and later Freddie Forrest-Foster, covered the yards in front of the defence to stem the Tigers’ attacks.

There were still a number of heart-in-mouth moments for the Dons’ defence but the home side likewise didn’t have their shooting boots on today. A series of corners and deep free kicks were uncomfortably dealt with by the Dons, but dealt with nonetheless. Both sides would be disappointed at the spectacle that ended up ensuing, but both can equally take positives from what was quite frankly a scrappy affair. The Woking Tigers renaissance continues; proving that their dismantling of leaders Hindhead Athletic was no flash in the pan. Meanwhile, Hambledon end the month unbeaten and despite not offering much going forward today, are consistently proving to be a hard nut to crack at the back. The Dons ended the game with pretty much a back four and three holding midfielders. The shape was impenetrable but what will be more concerning was the distance between the midfield and attack.

The Dons are back at the same venue next weekend for their cup tie with West Byfleet Albion. No doubt this will be a much sterner test, but the team can head into the fixture with confidence. Hambledon played out today’s game without a recognised striker in the 16 and away to a team whose current form is amongst the best in the league. What will be pleasing is that despite the lack of bite in attack, the Dons still held fast and if you can’t win the game, at least don’t get beat.

COYDs!