The Old Dons reserves entertained local rivals Fosdyke Reserves in the hope of doing a league double over them after a 1 - 0 win at Fosdyke earlier in the season. The Old Dons were hoping too build on last weeks impressive away performance at FC Hammers but were dealt a major blow in the build up to the game when young teen sensation Alex Wood was drafted into the Dons 1st team to replace the injured Chris Wing. Also missing from last weeks match was Gary Thomas and Trev Hammond both of whom had been instrumental in keeping a clean sheet last week. Manager Mark Stanhope was hoping too be able to welcome back Steven Burdall and Jake Asher but both are a week or so away from returning. There were recalls though for Shawn Scott, Bob Holstead and Ryan Slater. Also there was a debut for another youngster coming through the ranks in Lewis Martin.
Manager Mark Stanhope was deliberating about changing his teams formation due to the number of absentees to his defensive unit but 10 minutes before kick off, he decided against the idea and kept to his usual 442 formation. With Alex missing, Mark decided to put Andy Barnett back up top after his clean sheet in goal last week and partnered him with Shawn Scott, within minutes of the game getting underway, Old Dons took the lead, a lovely pass by Shawn sent Andy through and he kept his cool to finish. Old Dons were dominating the game, Whyte had an overhead kick tipped over the bar, Shawn had a great chance that was deflected wide and when the Dons thought they had double the lead, the referee failed to give the goal implying the whole of the ball had not crossed the line. The Dons seemed to be in complete control marshalled superbly at the back by Bob and Appy, however Fosdyke drew level before half time, a shot from inside the area took a deflection past Ryan to give Fosdyke an equaliser.
Half time score of 1 - 1 didnt seem fair on the Dons who had played some free flowing football at times in that 1st half. Into the second half and the Dons knew that if they carried on playing football and was patient then the goals would come, Andy had a couple of chances to extend the lead while Nick Wing also had a shot, the Dons were beginning to lay siege to the Fosdyke goal and eventually Andy Barnett grabbed his second of the game. The Dons were dominating and looked as solid as they have looked all season and when Andy Barnett went through and put the ball into the net for his hatrick, the game was over, unfortunatly though, with just a couple of minutes left, an innocuous challenge on Bob left him with a broken nose and will probably see his miss a few games now.
A good display by all the Dons Players including the subs who all played well when came on has lifted Old Dons Reserves to the top of the league after Spalding Harriers Reserves suffered a surprise defeat at Woodhall Spa Reserves. 41 year old Andy Barnett is now the leading scorer for the Dons Reserves overtaking Alex Wood and after Woody scored for the 1st team, it is unlikely that he will return to the reserves in the coming weeks.
Next week the Old Dons Reserves will travel up the A16 to Spilsby Town reserves looking for a 3rd win on the trot and competition for places is likely to be very strong, it is likely that Gaz, Trev, Jake, Steve and Ryan are all back. Manager Mark Stanhope will be having sleepless nights as to who to leave out.
