Dulwich Hamlet 0 Basingstoke Town 2

Dulwich Hamlet 0 Basingstoke Town 2
Ryman League Premier Division
Saturday 3rd February 2001

Would the driver from Eltham Coaches please return to Canvey Island as he has left the entire Dulwich First Team squad behind? At least that was the impression following this lacklustre capitulation against a mediocre Basingstoke Town side who, though well worth the three points, squandered enough chances to make the final result humiliating. Likewise the Hamlet although in their case it was the paucity of chances created that was embarrassing. Less than a handful with visiting custodian Scott Tarr barely called upon to exercise his excessive frame in defence of his goal.
Despite playing five in midfield it was here that the Hamlet were found lacking as they were constantly outfought and outthought. Missing was captain Ian Savage suffering with a knee injury that could have seen him miss the next month had he risked it in this match. Further injuries hampered Les Cleevely’s selection but there was a welcome return for the sophisticated skills of Gus Hurdle. Missing though from the line-up was Mervin Abraham rumoured to the subject of a bid from Grays Athletic, a case of out the frying pan and into another one, and so Kevin Webb partnered Carl Bartley in attack.
One’s fears were aroused from the first whistle as Basingstoke easily dealt with Dulwich’s attacking ambitions, the bulk of play occurring in the Dulwich half of the field. Had the Hampshire men done better with their early chances the second half might not have been needed and those present could have decamped to the bar and taken in England’s sublime rout of the Welsh in the rugby. As it was Mark Lisk nipping in behind the defence to meet Dominic Naylor’s incisive pass who was denied when Cleevely reacted smartly to intercept his cross shot. Then Jason Bristow attempting an ambitious curler just grazed the paintwork on top of the bar.
The closest Dulwich came in the opening exchanges saw former Basingstoke midfielder Gus Hurdle capitalise on a untidy scramble on the edge of the box to nip in and chip the portly custodian, only to see his audacious attempt clear the bar.
Somewhere in the distance a game was going on, Dulwich rocking as Basingstoke nailed them in their own box. Although it seemed the occupants of the car park were in more danger than the Dulwich goal, Basingstoke had by now stamped their authority on the game and it took a fine tip over from Cleevely to prevent Tim Sills’ 25 yard piledriver giving the visitors the lead after a Dulwich attack had come to nothing. A timely intervention from Tony Chin deprived Sean Gorman of his moment of glory as the Dulwich stalwart’s tackle turned his effort past the post.
Having dominated without scoring Basingstoke might have crumbled but just before the half-hour, their possession was turned into goals with a textbook finish from defender Julian Sills. Accepting the ball from sibling Tim, he gave Cleevely no chance with a rifled shot buried into the far corner of the net. Moments later and Gorman should have doubled the lead but inexplicably his header was more indicative of defensive clearance than anything that might bother the scorer. It was the industrious Julian Sills who got close to increasing the deficit; Brother Tim again playing the provider as the all-rounder met a flick with a thunderous volley that Cleevely gratefully smothered at the second attempt.
Three minutes before the break Dulwich fans were at last given something to cheer about when Sheldon Brown, another injury worry pre-game, won the ball in midfield and found himself in acres of space. Advancing goalwards he let rip with a low drive curling away, but just close enough to Tarr to allow him to stretch full length to stop the attempt.
Brown did not reappear for the second half, the injury he carried proving too much, and so in came player-coach Gwynne Berry into the back three with Dave Richards pushed into midfield. However Basingstoke firmly held on to the upper hand as the game became increasing scrappy. If parts of the first half had been the perfect cure for insomnia then this second half was quickly turning into an alternative to euthanasia. Only Naylor’s hopeful volley enlivened matters until Declan Perkins replaced John Butterfield, the Dulwich substitute being denied by the prostrate Tarr when a cross from John Dixon cause pandemonium on the edge of the box as first Webb then Perkins battled through a forests of legs, only for Tarr spread-eagled form to block Perkin’s stab from a couple of yards.
If Gorman had tried to shoot John Lennon then he might still be alive today as once again his finishing proved woeful failed to convert Tim Sills excellent service. Julian showed him and Dulwich exactly how it should be done when he grabbed his second brace of the week with a superlative piece of individual skill. Running on to Naylor’s through ball he left Chin for dead with dragging the ball, back before clinically finishing from inside the box.
Fortunately, the scorer’s finishing skills were not matched by his colleagues as once again a chance to increase the lead went begging. Lisk took advantage of the ball rebounding off Al-James Hannigan but instead of the simple finish that seemed inevitable the ball feel into the Basingstoke fans huddled behind the goal.
Perkins might have restored some pride to the scoreline with 7 minutes to go but after a crafty turn on the edge of the box, he failed to test Tarr driving the ball straight into his midriff. In stoppage time Veli Hakki replaced the indefatigable Dixon, whose enthusiastic tackling had gained the attention of the referee and his notebook, albeit with aid from the Basingstoke bench. Indeed Mr Kinseley often needed assistance in his decisions. Surely a village somewhere is missing an idiot. A point well illustrated at the death when a poor goalkick was pounced upon by Perkins, only for his clear progress on goal to be terminated by a crude challenge. A freekick ensued but where were the cards? Nowhere to be seen. As players buzzed around in front of the ball like flies round a dead cat, Perkins quickly took the kick, but to Dulwich’s dismay, the ball sailed serenely over the bar and hopes were again dashed.

DHFC: Les Cleevely; George Gibson; Al-James Hannigan; Dave Richards; Gus Hurdle; John Chin; Sheldon Brown (15: Gwynne Berry 45); John Dixon (12: Veli Hakki 89); Carl Bartley; Kevin Webb; John Butterfield (14: Declan Perkins 56)

Man of the Match: He’s here, he’s there, he’s every*******where. John Dixon. Like a bulldog on speed, he shot around the pitch, hitting hard and never surrendering.