Ex Dons

Final game of the season against the league leaders. A disappointing season overall for the Dons, but we were determined to finish fighting. ⚔️

With an injury-hit squad, the boys were ready to go to war from the first whistle. We started brightly and controlled the early stages, creating chances but unable to convert. Against the run of play, City Raiders took the lead after a questionable decision.

The heads didn’t drop. The Dons kept battling and got the reward after a two-handed push in the box gave us a penalty.1-1. 💥

A tight game followed, but the league leaders found themselves 2-1 up before half-time with a quality finish that left Evan with no chance.

Half-time: 2-1 City Raiders.

With 45 minutes left of the season, the Dons came out ready to leave everything on the pitch.

Chances were limited, but in the final third a clipped ball to the back post found Liam Matthews, whose header back across goal was calmly finished by Callum Meldrum.2-2. 👏

Momentum was with us, and when we earned a free-kick on the edge of the box, Paddy McGuinness stepped up and fired home to put the Dons 3-2 ahead after coming from behind twice. 🚀

And that was that. The boys dug deep and held on for a massive 3-2 win. With a depleted squad — and even the gaffer putting a shift in — it was a brilliant way to end the season.

Now all focus turns to pre-season, with the boys determined to grow, improve, and compete for titles next year. 💪

Massive thank you to all our sponsors for the support this season — we couldn’t do it without you.

Special shoutout to The Malsters Arms for everything they do for the club 💜

See you next season, Dons fans. 💜

Last game of the season 💥
The Dons take on league winners City Raiders today⚽️🔥

Looking to finish the season strong and put in one final performance for the season💪

At the archery club, 1pm K.O back to the malsters to watch the FA cup final after🤩

Massive thank you to all our sponsors for the support throughout the season — we couldn’t do it without you 🙌

TeamSpirit

Tuesday night under the lights as the Dons travelled to face Exeter Uni in the second-last game of the season on a massive pitch. ⚽️

The game started as a tight battle in midfield, with both sides struggling to create many clear-cut chances. Right before half-time, a corner fell kindly to Owen Cresswell, who sweetly volleyed home to give the Dons a deserved 1-0 lead at the break. 🚀

The second half opened up quickly, and Exeter Uni responded early to make it 1-1 before another fast attack saw the Dons fall 2-1 behind.

With 15 minutes to go, the skipper found himself in the sin bin after a few words with the ref, leaving the boys down to 10 men and chasing the game. But the Dons showed real character and fighting spirit, piling on the pressure and earning a late corner.

The ball was delivered into the box and Paul Barnes was brought down — penalty Dons! ⚽️
2-2.

A hard-earned point against a strong side and a performance full of determination from the lads. All focus now turns to next week’s final game of the season against league winners City Raiders. 👊

MOTM: Owen Cresswell for the goal and top-tier Alan Shearer celebration 🤣
DOTD: Jordan for somehow forgetting Marcus on the team sheet 🫣

Ex Dons 4-0 Exeter Uni ⚽🔥
Fast start from the boys with chances early on, and Paul Barnes made it 1-0 after making up for a missed sitter. Tight first half, but we stayed in control.
Second half, Joe Stevens capitalised on a GK error to make it 2-0, and from there we never looked back. Solid defending and a top performance between the sticks from Evan Clark 🧤
Ryan Wright off the bench stole the show with two quality goals — one solo run from halfway, and a ridiculous weak-foot volley from outside the box 🚀
Clean sheet. 4 goals. Top performance all round 💪

Man of the match- Evan Clarke for a solid performance between the sticks
Dick of the day- Luke bland for cutting his socks and bringing the wrong half

Next up for the dons is Exeter uni, not met each other yet this season looking forward to a good match
6:30pm KO tonight
Archery club
Come an support the dons!

Match day!
Up next for the dons is dunkeswell, a tough side who have had some impressive results!
4-3 last time out, the boys are looking to take all 3 points again.
The game will be played at dunkeswell.

Ex Dons 3-3 Kentisbeare (Kentisbeare win 4-2 on pens)
Grandisson Cup – Quarter Final

The Dons faced a tough test against a strong Kentisbeare side sitting 3rd in Division 1 — but backing down was never an option.

We started on the front foot and looked the more dominant side early on. However, just 5 minutes in, a moment of madness saw Luke Bland instinctively make a brilliant save… forgetting he was playing outfield. Red card and penalty.
1-0 Kentisbeare.

That setback only fired the boys up. We responded brilliantly, continuing to control the game, and it wasn’t long before Paul Barnes cut inside onto his left and buried it to level things.
1-1.

Down to 10 men, we showed real maturity — slowing the game down, staying organised, and still looking the better side. The defence stood firm under constant pressure, putting their bodies on the line time and time again.

With 25 minutes to go, Barnes stepped up again — beating his man and slotting home for his second of the game.
2-1 Dons.

As Kentisbeare pushed forward, gaps started to open… and we made them pay. A free kick in a dangerous area saw Ryan Wright whip one into the top corner — cross or shot, we’re claiming it!
3-1 Dons, 15 minutes to go.

Fatigue started to creep in, but the lads kept battling. Unfortunately, a controversial moment saw Kentisbeare pull one back after a clear push in the box went unseen.
3-2.

Then, heartbreak. A lofted ball into the box found its way in during the dying moments.
3-3.

Penalties it was…
Kentisbeare edged it 4-2.

A gutting way to go out, but an unbelievable performance from every single player. Massive character, massive effort — and plenty to take into the league campaign.

Proud of the boys. 💜

Dons are back in action today with an evening kickoff in kentisbeare to kick off our cup run.

Next up east budleigh.
This Saturday, come support the lads at the archery club 3pm

A hard fought battle on a sunny bank holiday Monday.
The dons showed real fight at yesterdays game, going 2-0 down early we made it as hard as possible for ourselves but we never gave up. Paul barnes getting us back in it befoe half time to go int the break 2-1.
Dons have come out in the second half knowing they need an early goal, after a corner kick falls to Callum Meldrum on the edge of the area he volleys home to make it 2-2. The goal was shortly lived as dunkeswell went 3-2 up immediately after.
With plenty of time left and 2 goals needed we decided to get some subs on and what a difference it made. With reader scoring a great header from@the corner to make it 3-3 with 10/15 minutes remaining. The 3 points here for both teams are massive and it was end to end, however Liam Matthew settles the score after a calm finis in the corner when it falls to him on the edge of the area 4-3 to the dons.
With 3 points on the line we still had to fight, with the gaffa making a match winning save at the depth of the game.
Comeback complete, a proper performance on a sunny afternoon.
MOTM-Gaffa (unreal save at the depth)
DOTD-Owen (power went to his head when given the armband)
Also a big thanks to all our sponsors we wouldn’t be where we are without you!