THE Dons overcame a poor first-half display to secure three points on a difficult surface at Godalming & Guildford, as a pitch with more mud than grass did not allow either side to play much flowing football. Matt Martin came in for the absent Ross Standen and George Snee was handed a start by Nicky English, with Seb Favata absent with flu. His first run ended with a great cross and Paul Scott should have headed home, but somehow his effort went over.

A minute later, he atoned for the mistake by running onto a chipped through ball and sliding it past Adlam for 1-0. Normally that would have settled the Dons and been the springboard for an assured display, but the Wallingford hangover and the conditions resulted in a scrappy error-strewn first half. Godalming & Guildford equalised on eight minutes, as Steve Gibson was beaten to a header and Danny Newman found acres of space between Matts Martin and Everard. His low finish made it one-one and few could argue with that as a deserved half-time scoreline.

Gavin Bolger had an effort saved and Paul Scott blazed over with the target begging, while at the other end, Martin raced out well to block from Newman with his legs. As half-time neared, Adlum snatched the ball from Lee Sidwell 's feet after a Sheerin header.

The second half started in a similar vein until Gavin Bolger and Sheerin took control, but the catalyst for the victory was Simon Bassey. Oakins flicked a pass from Snee into the path of Sidwell, but his shot was blocked. Then, on the hour mark, Snee made way for Bassey. Whereas Snee and Bolger had both looked to get forward, Bassey played slightly further back, broke the play up and spread the ball intelligently. Finally the Dons began to exert some midfield superiority. Lee Sidwell controlled the ball despite an extraordinary bounce and set Bolger away on the wing. His run and cross found Gray, whose effort was half-saved, but Sheerin pounced to fire the Dons ahead. Bassey then put in a couple of crunching challenges before turning provider from a free-kick, a great diagonal ball headed home in customary fashion by Matt Everard.

The fourth goal was the pick of the bunch as the Dons broke from defending a twice-taken free kick. Cooper flicked on and Bolger raced away, despite a defender's attempt to hack him down. As he was tackled, he managed to feed the ball square to Sheerin, who deftly backheeled the ball past the advancing keeper from several yards out.

Jamie Taylor made his first Dons appearance, but struggled to see much of the ball, whilst the only sour note of proceedings for the Dons came in injury time, when Sheerin went in for a 50-50 challenge and wrenched his knee. John Harris promises a diagnosis on Monday, but the club captain will hope he will be fit to play in two weeks' time when the Dons travel to Frimley Green.

[ --- wimbledonheritage.co.uk]