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February 17, 2018
Division 3: South Park III 2-3 Dons
On a sunny and crisp afternoon, The Dons made their way up to Reigate for their "Mid Sussex" Division 3 game with South Park - the only side to defeat them so far this season. Starting slowly on a pitch with confusing lines, Willingdon went 1-0 down when one of the South Park lads jinked his way through the middle and shot past Phil Osbourne early on. Though The Dons were growing into the game, the equaliser probably came as a surprise to everyone, not least the goalscorer. Toby Collins - owner of one of the biggest head circumferences in the south - made a clever near post run, meeting Julian Pareja's corner and guiding the ball home. Despite his head size and a football career that's spanned almost two decades, Collins later confirmed this was just his second headed goal ever.
The second half saw The Dons take more control, switching from four at the back to their more tried and tested three with wing backs, with Harry Murphy taking up his third position of the day and offering continued brilliant commitment. On loan from the firsts, Mike Keefe put The Dons ahead on the hour mark, finishing a move which begun at the back. Ben Hughes' tackle and clearance made it's way through midfield, where Sonny Smith played Keefe in down the right before he placed an effort into the far side of the South Park net. 90 seconds later it was three, with Keefe's pace causing more problems, allowing him to finish coolly the second time around after the keeper saved his first shot.
Willingdon held on thereafter, with South Park losing their heads somewhat. There was even time for Smith to produce a bone crunching 50/50 challenge which made every onlooker wince and made his ankle swell somewhat before the evening's racenight. South Park scored a second with the last kick of the game, but this three points avenged those lost to the same opponents back in September.
November 04, 2017
Divison 3: Dons 2-1 Lindfield 2nds​
A close game with both sides keen to attack was settled by 2 goals from James Graham, one in each half. Dons Keeper, Phil Osborne made a great save in the 1st half to deny Lindfield, shortly before James Graham used his pace to run onto a pass and open the scoring with a well taken finish. In the 2nd half Graham finished off an excellent Dons team move to give a 2 goal cushion. The visitors kept up the pressure and scored with 5 minutes to go but the Dons held on for a deserved victory.
M/O/M Chris Putland
October 13, 2017
Stubbins Cup: Balcombe 2nds 4-3 Dons
The Dons were unlucky to lose a close cup match on the difficult Balcombe pitch. Balcombe started the match top of Div Two with the Dons top of Div 3.
The Dons enjoyed more of the play in the 2nd half and probably should have forced extra time. Chris Scott had the ball in the net to make it 4-4 but the Balcombe linesman flagged for offside ( now when did that last happen !). Dons 3rd team Keeper, Ryan Looker replaced the unavailable Phil Osbourne and had a good game in goal for the Dons.
Scorers : James Graham, Julian Pareja and Paul Stevens
M/O/M Harry Murphy
