Three times this game was DittOFF, but finally when the game was DittON, the Dons showed how well they can play on a good pitch. The first time this Cherry Red Books Trophy game was called off, myself and a few other Dons came down to Hampton and Richmond's Beveree Stadium for their home league game against Aldershot. Then it was noted how well drained the pitch was and what a good level surface it looked like. "Maybe we could rearrange the game for here" was a comment made. Eventually it was and Andy Petty was the hero as AFC Wimbledon put five past a very poor Ditton side.

It took just four minutes for Wimbledon to take the lead. A couple of opportunities to finish were not taken before eventually Petty drilled the ball home from about eight yards out. Ditton could have pulled level just three minutes later after they broke and a mistake by Andy Sullivan let in Buckle, but his tame shot was easily held by the returning Andy Bell.

Bell was in the team for the first time since the 5-1 home defeat to Southall in the league cup and didn't put a foot wrong all night in a game completely dominated by AFC Wimbledon. Ditton had their second of three shots in the whole game in the twenty-fifth minute when a Buckle cross was headed away by Keith Ward and Willis' shot was straight down the throat of Bell.

Petty has a good chance ten minutes later to make it 2-0, but after he found space he shot straight at the Ditton keeper. Another chance went begging for Petty as after substitute Neil Robson was fouled outside the area, the resulting free-kick was sent two yards over the crossbar. It took just one more minute though for the Dons to score their second. Ali Russell headed home comfortably from the edge of the six yard box after a pin-point cross from the right.

Three minutes later and the game was won. A Robson pass from midfield fed Lee Sidwell on the right who's low cross to the front post was 'dummied' by Russell, missed by the goalkeeper and finally buried into an open net by Petty at the far post.

Petty completed his hat-trick with twenty minutes left on the clock. A Danny Oakins pass saw the Pet execute a perfect and precise lob over the keeper from twenty yards. Petty was now the second AFC Wimbledon player to complete a hat-trick. He was not contempt with this and got his fourth from close range after another Oakins assist just five minutes later. I then offered odds of 8/1 to a mate standing next to me that Petty wouldn't go on to score a double hat-trick. Easiest two pounds I've ever made as Petty didn't have another chance for the last fifteen minutes of the game.

Ditton got a consolation with three minutes to go when Richard Levern scored with his first touch after coming off the bench. This wasn't the end of the action though as Oakins had a chance to make this AFC's biggest ever win. He was fouled by Malcolm Roberts in the area and wouldn't let go of the ball as others tried to take it off him to add another to the tally. He probably won't be taking another penalty for a while as his shot was saved low right.

In the end, a 5-1 result was nearly fair as the Dons always looked comfortable in this game, the first time for a while in fact. The reason behind this was because the pitch was brilliant and if Wimbledon played on this type of surface in every game, they would be unbeaten.

[ --- 2shirts, http://afcwimbledon.co.uk/matches/reports/ditton101202.html]