Dulwich climbed to within one point of the Isthmian League leaders, Dagenham & Redbridge, thanks to a magnificent last-gasp fightback against the troubled Ducks of Aylesbury. The home side had started the winter clearouts early, dumping their manager and a number of the more expensive players after their chairman, saviour less than two years ago, decided to pull the plug on his investment after his side’s poor start to the season culminating in exits from both the FA Cup and Trophy in the space of a week. Still the old adage about a team being at its most dangerous when full of ambitious youngsters certainly rang true. Trailing 2-1 late on, Dulwich dug deep into their reserves to snatch first the equaliser with 9 minutes left on the clock, then a winner deep in to stoppage time, forced by a nasty-looking injury to Aylesbury’s Kieron Gallagher.
Injuries to Paul Harding and Mark Garland forced Dave Garland into a tactical switch with Dean Holness coming into midfield. The team lined up in an unusual (these days) 4-4-2 formation with Tony Chin and Francis Duku solid at the back.
The surface was made slippery by heavy rain over the past few days, but then again, it normally chucks it down whenever the Hamlet visit Buckingham Road. Still the Hamlet took to the conditions like ducks to water moving the ball around well and creating the bulk of the scoring chances.
A brave tackle on Dave Stevens in the box denied the Hamlet an early goal, after Peter Garland and Dave McEwen had combined to carve open Aylesbury’s defence. Then it was Justin Gregory’s turn to miss the target on 11 minutes. Tony Houghton turned inside his marker and sent over a delightful cross to he back post where Justin produced a trademark diving header, but could not find the back of the net. Stevens’ instincts got the better of him after Dave McEwen’s run looked to have taken him into a scoring position, only for Stevo to nip in to nick the ball, unfortunately from an offside position. However, he was to make up for this within 60 seconds with his 18th goal of the season. Dean Holness was the provider setting up Dave McEwen after good work on the right. Dave’s effort was blocked by Aylesbury keeper and manager, Gary Phillips, but it ran kindly for Stevens, who slotted home despite the best efforts of defenders on the line to block it.
Dulwich pounded the home goal after this opening but somehow could not find a way to increase the lead. After a fine run into the box from Danny Carroll, he picked out Stevens with an accurate cross, but the Hamlet Hitman could only fire his effort straight at Phillips. In the 23rd minute, came the obligatory Peter Garland outrageous attempt on goal. Dave McEwen was fouled close to the halfway line. Just like one of those scenes in a horror movie where the girl goes into the darkened room, you know Pete’s going to try to hit the net, but still the keepers stand way off their line. Fortunately for the veteran Phillips Garland’s pop failed to find its intended target.
It seemed as if number two was just around the corner, but somehow the ball stayed out of the Ducks’ net. McEwen missed when well placed after Tony Houghton and Kevin Smith had linked up on the wing to provide the opportunity. On the half-hour, Dulwich had a reasonable shout for penalty after Justin Gregory’s run into the box had been ended by a crude challenge. Nothing was given and the ball made its way to Stevens, but his effort was weak and flicked off a defender into the keeper’s hands.
Dulwich were to pay for the profligacy before half time when Aylesbury pulled things level. After surviving a few hairy moments, Tony Houghton’s slip letting in Neil Selby whose shot was deflected behind for a corner that seemed to take an age before being Steve Heard blasted over.
In the 44th minute came the equaliser in almost bizarre circumstances. Dulwich cleared a corner upfield, but suddenly the referee’s attention was drawn by his assistant’s flag to Kevin Smith and Kieron Gallagher involved in an altercation deep in the Dulwich half. It seemed as if Smith had reached to provocation by the Aylesbury player, but it was his retaliation that was punished. A yellow card was brandished and Aylesbury awarded a freekick. A classic textbook execution followed as Kieron Gallagher was found on the right wing and his inch-perfect cross was headed home from close range by Selby.
After that late choker in the first half, start of the second was a nightmare for the Hamlet. After Gallagher’s shot had bobbled past the post, the Ducks took the lead with a goal that was certainly wacky to say the least, but more certainly was scored by a player in an offside position. Ian King’s shot looked to be harmless, but as Les Cleevely dived for a easy gather it struck Selby, leaving Les grasping at thin air as he and the ball headed for opposite corners of the goal. To say the Hamlet skipper was unhappy with the decision to let the goal stand would be an understatement, but stood it did.
A lesser Dulwich would have laid down and died, but Dave Garland’s men are made of sterner stuff. They should have been back on level terms within the space of 4 minutes, but Dean Holness’s cross-range screamer smacked back off the post with Phillips well beaten. Next Francis Duku, who seems destined never to score had a marvellous opportunity, after getting into great position to meet Gregory’s cross, he contrived to put the resultant header wide of the post.
In the 75th minute play was brought to halt after a fierce tackle from Danny Carroll saw Kieron Gallagher prone on the turf. It took five minutes before he was stretched from the field with what has been described as ‘puncture wounds down to the bone’, although the injury may not be as serious as first suspected, with Aylesbury saying he’ll be out for two weeks.
That five minutes was to prove crucial in the final outcome. Aylesbury battled to maintain the advantage, but Dulwich rose to the challenge particularly Garland, subject of some pretty obnoxious chants from the home supporters. In the 80th minute came the breakthrough, Stevens chased a ball behind the defence, weaving into the box before pulling it back to Kevin Smith. He flicked it on to Danny Carroll, who made no mistake from close range. This time it was Phillips turn to remonstrate with the officials, protesting that Stevens had been in an offside position.
Deep into stoppage time and remarkably Dulwich grabbed a winner. Stevens turned providing lifting a ball over the rearguard for Garland to run on to. It seemed as if the chance had gone begged when Phillips parried his first shot, but Garland kept his cool to lift the ball over the prostrate keeper for the third. But for a combination between Phillips and the crossbar to keep out Garland’s 30 yard effort and a good block from the keeper to deny Dave McEwen, the Hamlet might have come home from Buckinghamshire with a third successive five goal away haul. The Late, Late Garland Show had wrapped up the points and as the final whistle blew a rainbow appeared behind the terrace occupied by the Rabble. Who knows what crock of gold lies at the end of this season, but with games like this it is going to be fun finding out.
Injuries to Paul Harding and Mark Garland forced Dave Garland into a tactical switch with Dean Holness coming into midfield. The team lined up in an unusual (these days) 4-4-2 formation with Tony Chin and Francis Duku solid at the back.
The surface was made slippery by heavy rain over the past few days, but then again, it normally chucks it down whenever the Hamlet visit Buckingham Road. Still the Hamlet took to the conditions like ducks to water moving the ball around well and creating the bulk of the scoring chances.
A brave tackle on Dave Stevens in the box denied the Hamlet an early goal, after Peter Garland and Dave McEwen had combined to carve open Aylesbury’s defence. Then it was Justin Gregory’s turn to miss the target on 11 minutes. Tony Houghton turned inside his marker and sent over a delightful cross to he back post where Justin produced a trademark diving header, but could not find the back of the net. Stevens’ instincts got the better of him after Dave McEwen’s run looked to have taken him into a scoring position, only for Stevo to nip in to nick the ball, unfortunately from an offside position. However, he was to make up for this within 60 seconds with his 18th goal of the season. Dean Holness was the provider setting up Dave McEwen after good work on the right. Dave’s effort was blocked by Aylesbury keeper and manager, Gary Phillips, but it ran kindly for Stevens, who slotted home despite the best efforts of defenders on the line to block it.
Dulwich pounded the home goal after this opening but somehow could not find a way to increase the lead. After a fine run into the box from Danny Carroll, he picked out Stevens with an accurate cross, but the Hamlet Hitman could only fire his effort straight at Phillips. In the 23rd minute, came the obligatory Peter Garland outrageous attempt on goal. Dave McEwen was fouled close to the halfway line. Just like one of those scenes in a horror movie where the girl goes into the darkened room, you know Pete’s going to try to hit the net, but still the keepers stand way off their line. Fortunately for the veteran Phillips Garland’s pop failed to find its intended target.
It seemed as if number two was just around the corner, but somehow the ball stayed out of the Ducks’ net. McEwen missed when well placed after Tony Houghton and Kevin Smith had linked up on the wing to provide the opportunity. On the half-hour, Dulwich had a reasonable shout for penalty after Justin Gregory’s run into the box had been ended by a crude challenge. Nothing was given and the ball made its way to Stevens, but his effort was weak and flicked off a defender into the keeper’s hands.
Dulwich were to pay for the profligacy before half time when Aylesbury pulled things level. After surviving a few hairy moments, Tony Houghton’s slip letting in Neil Selby whose shot was deflected behind for a corner that seemed to take an age before being Steve Heard blasted over.
In the 44th minute came the equaliser in almost bizarre circumstances. Dulwich cleared a corner upfield, but suddenly the referee’s attention was drawn by his assistant’s flag to Kevin Smith and Kieron Gallagher involved in an altercation deep in the Dulwich half. It seemed as if Smith had reached to provocation by the Aylesbury player, but it was his retaliation that was punished. A yellow card was brandished and Aylesbury awarded a freekick. A classic textbook execution followed as Kieron Gallagher was found on the right wing and his inch-perfect cross was headed home from close range by Selby.
After that late choker in the first half, start of the second was a nightmare for the Hamlet. After Gallagher’s shot had bobbled past the post, the Ducks took the lead with a goal that was certainly wacky to say the least, but more certainly was scored by a player in an offside position. Ian King’s shot looked to be harmless, but as Les Cleevely dived for a easy gather it struck Selby, leaving Les grasping at thin air as he and the ball headed for opposite corners of the goal. To say the Hamlet skipper was unhappy with the decision to let the goal stand would be an understatement, but stood it did.
A lesser Dulwich would have laid down and died, but Dave Garland’s men are made of sterner stuff. They should have been back on level terms within the space of 4 minutes, but Dean Holness’s cross-range screamer smacked back off the post with Phillips well beaten. Next Francis Duku, who seems destined never to score had a marvellous opportunity, after getting into great position to meet Gregory’s cross, he contrived to put the resultant header wide of the post.
In the 75th minute play was brought to halt after a fierce tackle from Danny Carroll saw Kieron Gallagher prone on the turf. It took five minutes before he was stretched from the field with what has been described as ‘puncture wounds down to the bone’, although the injury may not be as serious as first suspected, with Aylesbury saying he’ll be out for two weeks.
That five minutes was to prove crucial in the final outcome. Aylesbury battled to maintain the advantage, but Dulwich rose to the challenge particularly Garland, subject of some pretty obnoxious chants from the home supporters. In the 80th minute came the breakthrough, Stevens chased a ball behind the defence, weaving into the box before pulling it back to Kevin Smith. He flicked it on to Danny Carroll, who made no mistake from close range. This time it was Phillips turn to remonstrate with the officials, protesting that Stevens had been in an offside position.
Deep into stoppage time and remarkably Dulwich grabbed a winner. Stevens turned providing lifting a ball over the rearguard for Garland to run on to. It seemed as if the chance had gone begged when Phillips parried his first shot, but Garland kept his cool to lift the ball over the prostrate keeper for the third. But for a combination between Phillips and the crossbar to keep out Garland’s 30 yard effort and a good block from the keeper to deny Dave McEwen, the Hamlet might have come home from Buckinghamshire with a third successive five goal away haul. The Late, Late Garland Show had wrapped up the points and as the final whistle blew a rainbow appeared behind the terrace occupied by the Rabble. Who knows what crock of gold lies at the end of this season, but with games like this it is going to be fun finding out.
Team:
1. Les Cleevely
2. Justin Gregory
3. Kevin Smith
4. Danny Carroll
5. Dean Holness
6. Francis Duku
7. Tony Houghton
8. Peter Garland
9. Dave McEwen
10. Dave Stevens
11. Tony Chin
Subs (not used)
12: Veli Hakki
14: Gary Hewitt
15: Lee Macken
Man of the Match: Peter Garland: kept his head (rare, I know) and replied to the abuse of the home supporters in the best way possible – the winning goal. There is only one fat b*****d!
