Report

The Dons suffered a cruel Cup final defeat and somehow were awarded three penalties against them. With a strong line up the Dons settled well and were all over Staines, causing them problems every time they went forward and making better use of the big Walton pitch.

Staines were given an early wake up call when Gregg was played through by Cookie but the keeper made a smart save to deny the student. Charlie Ward was giving their full back a torrid time and he ws beating him for fun. after another strong run from Charlie he pulled the ball back to Cookie who made no mistake and put the Dons one up.

Staines were starting to come back into the back looking for the long ball up to their big striker for the other striker to feds of his knock downs. And the Staines left back was causing the Dons problems playing pretty much as winger.

Staines were awarded a free kick on the left hand side and eventfully got a cross in which Walshy Handled in the air. Causing the ref to point to the spot. A stupid mistake that lead to the first of three pens being awarded. The Striker made no mistake with a well taken penalty. Staines were somehow back in the game out of nothing.

And they were nearly in the lead whenWalshy and Kiley both went for the same ball and were beaten in the air by the big striker releasing his partner through on goal but his shot came back of the post.
This settled the Dons back down with Wicksy seeing a shot just past the post and Cookie finding the side netting when free at the back post.

But the Dons had their second when Will Grove flicked a header in off a great corner from Charlie. The Dons went in at half time 2-1 up.

Fair play to Staines they made some changes at half time and took the game to the Dons, playing a very high line. Looking to play off the big striker every time and they started the better of the teams in the second half. The first talking point came when Kiley made a tackle outside the box winning the ball, with Walshy getting their late and sandwiching their striker. The Ref then signalled to the spot much to the amazement of the dons but their protests fell on deaf ears. Up stepped the same striker but he put a very weak penalty down the middle which Lee saved but the rebound fell straight to the striker who made no mistake. It seems lady luck wads certainly on Staines side.

The Dons pushed forward looking ton get their noses back in front and Gregg saw a shot cleared off the line. With 15 minutes left on the clock the Dons had a counter attck and had men over and with Grover trying to  play the ball through to Gregg for a clear run in their skipper blocked the pass with his face on the floor, with the Dons thinking he had used his hand they stopped but the ref played on. Next thing the ball is outside the Dons box. And out of nothing the Ref is pointing to the spot again claiming a shirt pull.

To get one soft penalty against you is bad luck but 2 is hard to take. And still cannot see how the 3rd was given. After such a poor last penalty the striker passed repsonsibility to another player and he made no mistake. Somehow the Dons were now behind in a game that should have been done and dusted at half time. Carlo rang the changes with Watney and Shackleton both thrown on as the Dons threw everything at Staines.

The first chance coming from a header that the ref gave a foul for a push on the keeper. Walshy then had a chance to make amends for the first penalty but dragged his shot wide from the edge of the area and Will Grove smashed a shot right across the face of the goal, only needing a touch from someone.

Staines had their chances on the break as Hambledon played the last 5 with everyone up front but couldn't score and the cup was Staines.

heartbreak for the Dons on what was a great finish to the season. The defeat was hard to take especially with three penalties awarded against them. But fair play to Staines they never stopped and showed more desire after half time and Hambledon were left to think what could have been