After a week layoff and plenty of time to recover from the debauchery of
Prague the Dons needed to focus on the task in hand with this tricky away tie at unpredictable Selkirk. With five wins from five the Dons looked the odds on favourites in this tie but with Selkirk managing seven points this term so far, the Dons knew they couldn't afford to be complacent especially
after the disastrous 1-1 draw last year.
With the pre match team talk still fresh in their ears an unmotivated and disinterested Dons side started the game, struggling to get the ball down and play their trademark passing football the Selkirk punt and run tactics bogged down the Dons and with a ridiculously unpredictable pitch it caused no end of problems. Sure enough the inevitable happened and the Dons went behind for the first time this season, unusually sloppy defending allowed the Selkirk forward in
on goal to slot through the legs of Owen at point blank range. With this as a stark warning to the Dons, they upped their game and began to get the ball
own wide to the rampaging Jefferys and Hollier who caused problems with
their pace and drive.
The game was level on the 25 minute mark; good movement in the box saw
Hillier superbly finish an Al Pillinger corner at the near post. With the bit between the teeth the Dons pressed on and once the ball was on the deck,
Phippen, Sell and Pillinger pulled the strings in the middle with Pillinger grabbing his 11 of the season, a great run and drive left the keeper no
chance, 2-1.
The Dons couldn't relax though, the Selkirk Midfield always looked to play the high ball and stalwart defending from Chivers, Pallister, Piscina and Turner kept the threat at bay with Hollier implementing some rare defensive
duties with a superb clearance of the line! Paul Sell made it 3-1 just
before the break with a fine battling goal, gambling on the keeper's mistake
to poke the ball into an empty net.
The second half started the way the first ended, all Dons. Pillinger
creating havoc with his trickery and Hillier bustling the back line it was only a matter of time before it was 4, great work down the right from
Hillier found a marauding Hollier in the box unmarked to coolly slot home. And he made it 5 with his second of game from the spot, good work in the box
from Al saw him felled by a clumsy challenge and a calm finish more or less ended Selkirks hopes on the hour mark. The introduction of Piscina and Fusdon added a new edge to the attack,
Piscina having a number of opportunities and could have notched with his
first touch had it not been for a fine save from the Selkirk number one. At the other end a superb save from Owen denied Selkirk a second before Mike Fursdon finished a fine Dons move with a sublime strike from outside of the
box for his first of the season.
Action man Paul Sell capped a fine individual performance and nicked the man
of the match award from a host of deserved Dons with his second of the game and the Dons seventh to round off an impressive performance with exemplary finishing. With fellow title chasers Sports Bar losing at home the Dons go five points clear at the top of Division 6.

Owen - forget the goal, superb stop in the second half, redundant for the rest. 7

J. Piscina - Drifted in the first half, never troubled, has made the right back spot his own. 8 Chivers - Solid again, limped off after an hour with tight groin, precautionary. 8
Pallister- questions over goal, but regained composure for some crunching challenges. 8
Turner- Mr unflappable, comfortable at left back or centre back, pushed on well. 8
Jefferys- Caused all sorts of problems with his power on the little left back. 8
Phippen- The defensive foil to Sells attacking flair, broke up the play
well, covered miles. 8
Sell- All action display, two goals, solid performance. 9
Hollier- 5 in 6 now for SAD, a good return from a right footed left winger! 8
Hillier- A close second for MOM, worked tirelessly, good goal, great assist. 9
Pillinger- Frustrated early at lack of service, made openings for himself, dropped deep. 8

Ayre- Mr Utility is proving to be a top asset, slotted in at left back superbly. 7
Fursdon- showed what he is capable of, some great touches, glorious goal. 7

M. Piscina- Came on, caused havoc, hat full of chances unlucky not to score.7