Hambledon A leapfrogged Surrey Dynamos into second place in the league, albeit with a game in hand, after a convincing victory against Woking Tigers Reserves. After falling behind midway through the first half, the Dons regrouped after half time and produced a scintillating display to blow away their opponents in a display reminiscent of their early season form.

In a match that was being replayed, after the earlier encounter just before Christmas was earmarked as null and void, this was the third meeting between the two sides. The previous two matchups heralded the start of an inconsistent patch of form for the Dons; drawing 0-0 in West Byfleet before being humbled on the wrong end of a 3-0 score line. However, there were to be no slip ups on Saturday; nor could the home side afford to. While the Tigers were comfortably in mid-table, coasting their way towards the end of the season with a series of defeats, the Dons had been on somewhat of a mini revival to keep their promotion hopes alive.

However, despite the contrasting forms of the two sides and the relative prizes at stake, it was the away team that started the brightest and sharpest in the early exchanges. Perhaps it was the freedom to play under no pressure, or the high energy exuberance displayed by Woking that shook the Dons out of their stride. The Tigers appeared to be afforded the freedom of Holloway Hill as their midfield played with vigour and panache that the trio of Ollie Jones, Andy Parkin and George Shiangoli could not get close to. Despite the intricacies of their play, there was little to threaten Matt Mullins’ goal - so it still came as a bit of a shock when they opened the scoring. Neat trickery from the right winger evaded numerous defensive challenges; and when the pull-back from the by-line was scrambled to edge of the six yard box, it was an easy finish for Woking’s lanky attacker to blast into the net.

The Dons weren’t without their chances too mind in the opening half. Dean Knight was left relatively isolated up top but when the midfield and wingers Jonny Suarez and Paul Cook offered their support, the home side found that they could penetrate the Woking back line with relative ease. Dean Knight had a superb solo effort (flicked header over the defender and first time volley) that drifted wide of the post, while Elijah Taylor had a diving header well held by the keeper. If anything the crisp spring conditions made for a much more enthralling spectacle than that served up in the washout last December.

Half time came, as did the hair-dryer treatment from Carlo and the coaching staff. The Dons were creating chances; the attacking play and exchanges were what the manager would’ve wanted but the game was far too open and the Tigers were seeing far too much of the possession.

The game commenced with Hambledon displaying the same attacking verve that surfaced towards the latter stages of the first half. Only difference this time is that the Dons were sharper in the tackle and more compact in terms of distance between defence, midfield and attack. The result - Woking Tigers had only a single noteworthy attempt in the second half, which was well smothered by the impressive Matt Mullins.
At the other end, the home side were irresistible in attack; although it did take a goal of the route-one variety to haul them back into the game. Matt Batchelor’s long, flat throws tended to cause mayhem in the Tigers’ box (when they weren’t being blown up by the ref), especially with the height and aerial prowess of Alex Mussell, Andy Parking and Elijah Taylor all on the pitch. And it was one such trademark hurl that got the Dons back on level terms, Paul Cook stabbing in from close range after the ball fell kindly in the box.

Dean Knight soon got in on the act, notching up his second club goal meeting Ollie Jones’ perfect through ball to dink a delightful finish under the keeper. Ollie Jones then turned scorer, from provider, sweeping home a free kick from the edge of the box that took a wicked deflection off the static wall to wrong-foot the keeper.

The Dons sensed blood, so Paul Boxall and Dominic O’Donnell were introduced; the former providing tireless drive and energy in both attack and defence, while Dom completed a back four along with Jonny Suarez to provide composure and balance in the full-back areas. Three soon turned to four after Elijah Taylor was tripped in the penalty area and Alex Mussell kept up his 100% record of scoring penalties this season, sending the keeper the wrong way.

To be fair, Woking Tigers still attempted to play their football, despite the barrage they were facing in the second half. However, their composure all but crumbled after Adam Cook and his guttural roar was introduced. Great tenacity in attack by Sammy Coombe forced an own goal to make it 5, and Adam Cook was unlucky to see his shot well saved after being put through on the edge of the box by that man again - Sammy Coombe.

All in all, a very satisfying afternoon for the A team. A comprehensive victory against a side they had stumbled against in recent meetings, Lewis Gunner got some minutes in as acting medical staff, Jules, Sweets and Jono sipped ice cold beverages in support and the Dons at least keep Surrey Dynamos honest in their remaining two games.
Onwards and upwards, COYDs!