2006/07 will go down as a season when the Dons promised much but
couldn't quite deliver, as fantastic wins were overshadowed by broken
legs and sloppy defeats to teams we really should have beaten.
Scoring goals was always going to be a determining factor with Tommy Gun and Chrissy Read averaging two goals a game between them and departing for pastures new, but with leading scorer Steve Farmer being ably assisted by the giant new signing Rupert, Alex Mackenzie returning from Milford and skippy Josh up front, surely we could continue our free scoring football.
An unfortunate defeat at newly promoted Hersham was followed up with
wins against Bisley, Lightwater and Shalford and the Dons lay second.
However, by midway through the first half against Uni, we had lost
defensive lynchpin and port drinking legend, Gaz, and our chief source
of goals, Farmer, to two broken legs. The goals, points and morale dried up and we went six games without a goal, gaining just two points. The Dons were shell shocked.
A terrible decision by the league to award Bedfont the points when the
ref failed to turn up summed up our Autumn blues, but we were playing
much better than the results indicated. Someone was due a thumping. The
nine goals we scored against Weybrook had, in truth, been coming, and
they were followed up with a sound win at Bedfont and then a thrilling,
Kiley inspired win at Holmbury. A title push maybe?
Alas not, as January proved disappointing, but we recovered well to beat Holmbury again, Hersham and Milford, before being unlucky against
champions University.
A frustrating season when just about everything that could have gone
wrong, did, but we finished a highly credible seventh and look forward to pushing on next season with the return of the Ginger Dwarf and big Gaz returning to compete for place in the back line. SR
You couldn't write the sort of stuff we've been through this season. Our performances have certainly showed more promise than the last 2 seasons I've been involved. Even though we have finished in a lower position in our division I believe we've really matured as a team & we've played better with some magnificent football. Our season started brightly until the loss of Gazza & Steve in successive weeks really hurt us mentally. We lost our bite, bottle & luck (relating to losing points against Bedfont at home) for a while only to bounce back with some good solid performances before Christmas. I wish Christmas never came as then on after our season fell away. My best memory will always be winning over at Holmbury...the match had every thing we are about & can achieve.
Real positive's I will take away this season are - we've had excellent additions to the team, there is more commitment & our play is more consistent. We are lucky we have players who can slot in any position & we have a style of play no other team (exception of the Uni...maybe) in our division can match. The experience of high & low emotions after this "weird" season I believe will make us all stronger & closer as a team moving into 2007/2008. Can't wait for it.
Style of Play - 8/10
Commitment - 9/10
Passion - 10/10
Keep it up lads.
CM
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