Old Dons Reserves travelled to Fen Road, Pointon without key players Lee Whyte, Andy Barnett, Bob Holstead, Trev Hammond, Ryan Long, Old Appy and Jake Asher. The Dons were up against a physical Pointon team and manager Mark Stanhope once again had to reshuffle his pack.
The Dons were looking for victory to keep up there big points margin at the top of the table and against a Pointon team who's form over the season has been indifferent, few people wouldve guessed the result of this match. Both teams started off well and both shouldve scored in the opening 10 minutes, on loan starlett Giles Favell couldve added to his goal tally but his shot hit the post whilst at the other end Pointon also hit the woodwork. As the game progressed Pointon started to play the better football and were exploiting gaps in the Dons midfield and defence, there seemed to be a lack of confidence running throughout the team and any voices in the Dons back four must've been left at Donington as time and again there was a distinct lack of communication. Pointon duely took the lead that there play deserved, a mistake at the back enabled Pointon to break the deadlock. The goal seemed to wake the Dons up and 10 minutes before the interval Giles Favell grabbed the equaliser, a superb chip over the out rushing keeper. With just a few minutes to go before the interval Dan Jackson fired over from 6 yards when it looked easier to score, the Young Midfielder has been enjoying an excellant season so he will be disappointed to miss a sitter at a crucial time in the match. half time score 1 - 1.
The second half started with Dons looking to build on the goal and take 3 points back to Donington, however the Dons struggled to get to grips with the physical nature of the Pointon team, A few of the Dons players didn't quite seem up for the battle that the game was turning into. The Dons still created chances, Captain Appy could and shouldve done better but not for the first time this season he failed to score when in a goalscoring position. The Dons seemed to be missing regular goalscorers Barnett, Whyte and Old Appy. The Dons went behind and once more it was from a defensive mistake that ended in Mark Stanhope wrestling the Pointon Forward to the ground, the Forward, a new signing from Poland seemed to make the most of it and a penalty was awarded, it was the second penalty that Mark has given away this season. The player picked himself up to score from the spot, it couldve got a whole lot worse for the Dons but some excellant officiating by the Dons linesman Lee prevented the Pointon forwards running through, the eagle eyed linesman spotted 2 offsides in quick successsion which couldve lead to goalscoring chances. Five minutes after going behind and the Dons were lucky to still have 11 men, a little rant and a horrendous tackle by Captain Appy went unpunished by the referee at the time, i have no doubt that the FA may look at the 2 incidents and suspend the player involved, he will no doubt be missing during the christmas period. Mark Stanhope finally subbed himself in a game that im sure he will want to forget and minutes later Troy's throughball found Giles who scored another superb goal, his second of the match.
The Dons hung on until the final whistle and a full time score of 2 -2 was a fair result.
Manager Mark Stanhope will have alot to think about during the next couple of week's before the big match against Queen. It took the Dons a few matches at the start of the season to find there voices but on this showing, any neutral fan wouldve thought that this bunch of players had never played with each other before. Captain Appy and Nick Wing apart, there was a distinct lack of communication and leadership, if only these 2 players could score goals aswell.
