Hanney v Faringdon Town Reserves – 10/12/16 –
On a very wet Saturday afternoon the Dons Reserves travelled to Hanney looking to climb the league table.
The Don started the brighter of the sides and in the first 15 mins had three one on ones. Paul Sanders was instrumental in all three attempts. He controlled turned on all three occasions, his through balls were meet by Richard Evans twice and Dominic Wills once, the keeper saving on one occasion and the other two going wide. During this period Hanney also had their moments attacking well down the right flank. Harry Platt made a good block at the near post Pete Dolan the Dons custodian came to the rescue with a fine double save. 20 minutes in and another right-wing attack saw Pete make a good save to his right but the ball fell to the Hanney forward who slotted home. This knocked the stuffing out of the lads. A Harry Platt cross was meet by Curley but his header fell straight to the keeper.
Hanneys attacks were coming thick and fast and two goals in quick succession killed the game. It could have been worse but for a double goal line clearance by Ben Hunt. The Don had one last attack before half-time Curley laid back to Dom but his crisp strike sailed over the bar.
The Don played a higher line at the start of the second-half and it seemed to work for a while Pete was sweeping well behind his defenders. But Hanneys heading ability was too much for the Dons defence. Two fine headers from pinpoint crosses added goals 4 and 5. The Don had a strong finish to the game. Mark Williams robbed the keeper but Hanney cleared after a scramble. Jamie Broadfield struck the post with a long-range effort and his header in the dying minutes went straight into the keeper’s arms.
Things could have been different if the Don had taken one of their early chances but they were well beaten in the end. Harry Platt deserves a special mention for his non-stop commitment.
