Judging by the noise levels in aforesaid hostelry, the travelling fans could hardly wait for the new season to get underway. We hoped the team would be equally revved up and keen to avenge the defeat at Dean Court towards the end of last term.
We lined up in a 4-4-2 with James O’Conner at left back in the absence of Warren Cummings and John Spicer on the right wing replacing the sadly departed Wade Elliott. Otherwise the usual suspects.
The game soon settled down into a rather predictable pattern with neither side really threatening. It soon became apparent that we were lacking width. Right wing is not Spicer’s best position and despite his best efforts we failed to threaten much down that flank. On the left, Surman was making a quiet start, and neither of the full backs were able to get forward. Still, Hayter was looking quick and sharp, Big Fletch was winning a few in the air and we were just about edging possession.
Our best chance fell to Surman from a Fletcher nod-down about 18 yards out, but his shot went the wrong side of the post. At the other end Moss had to get down smartly to smother a couple of dangerous through balls, but nothing much to worry about in defence. As half-time neared I felt we were reasonably in control, playing neat football but not really hurting the opposition.
But then, somewhat surprisingly, the opposition managed to hurt us greatly! Small started the move from midfield with an incisive pass to McLeod who laid the ball off, then latched onto the return which took him into the box where he rounded Moss before tapping in from a slight angle. A great goal from a dangerous striker. But where were our defence?
We almost got on terms immediately when Fletch headed down an Eddie Howe punt into the path Spicer whose 20 yard half volley crashed against the post. So, although arguably the better team, we went in one-nil down.
HT: 1-0
The second half couldn’t have started worse. After we carelessly lost the ball in midfield, Hunt (again!) found the speedy McLeod just onside a couple of yards inside our half and there was no catching him. He coolly slotted the ball past Moss with barely a minute on the clock.
Our heads went down and for the next quarter of an hour we were under the cosh. I feared we could lose by a hatful as the hosts piled on the pressure. However, the defence held firm and Moss wasn’t seriously troubled. Gradually we clawed our way back into the game, not helped by the referee who seemed to have it in for us, and not helped by the Dons’ offside trap either. Choruses of “Can we play you every week?” from the home fans added to the frustration.
People started calling for O’Driscoll to get the subs on (after all, we had new signings Cooke and Gowling warming the bench), but with the usual success. Then in the 76th minute we got the break we needed. A long throw into the box from Youngy was missed by the big men, bounced, was headed into the middle by Hayter, then headed back to him by Browning (I think) and this time James headed the ball firmly past Baker from 6 yards. A bit of a soft goal, but we took it!
Now it was the hosts who were on the back foot as we went for an equaliser. Young and O’Connor started getting forward and at last we had a bit of width. We started laying siege to the Dons’ goal and a Stock drive went agonisingly close. However, we had to wait until the 90th minute for the breakthrough: a hopeful punt upfield was chested down by Dani (on the field for his usual 5 minutes), Stock dinked the ball over the defence and Surman lobbed the keeper first-time from about 8 yards. The ball seemed to be in the air for an eternity before nestling in the corner of the net.
Absolute pandemonium ensued as the goalscorer celebrated with the fans, with stewards and officials desperately trying to restore order. (I’ve seen reports that young Surman was booked for over-celebrating, but I thought he was only cautioned)
So we got out of jail and went home a lot happier than the home fans. We’ll meet better teams than MKD this season (although McLeod is impressive), so we’ll have to play better than this. However, given the circumstances, it felt like a good result!
James Hayter AFCB: Moss, O'Connor, Howe, Maher, Young, Surman, Browning, Stock, Spicer, Fletcher, Hayter
Subs: Stewart, Gowling (on for Surman, 91), Coutts, Rodrigues (on for Browning, 78), Cooke (on for Fletcher, 78)
Ellis Griffin, Chertsey