Once proud Dulwich Hamlet may have suffered the ignominy of relegation from the Ryman League’s top tier but all is not doom and gloom at the club’s famous Champion Hill ground. After a year’s gap the club revived it’s Youth Team, once again taking it’s place in the Southern Youth League, of which they had been Champions in the two years before pitch unavailability forced a year’s break. Under the management of John Kasapi, the team had a shaky start picking up just one point in their first five league games. However with the arrival of striker Adam Pero, who finished the season as leading scorer and Supporter’s Player of the Year, the team stepped up a gear and were unbeaten in their next six games as they stormed up to 3rd in the table, challenging local rivals Sutton United and Tooting & Mitcham for honours.
This success was recognised as players found themselves called for higher honours. Promising goalkeeper Michael Holder was substitute in the FA Cup games at Lewes and Ossie Bayram, junior, son of the former Dulwich hitman made several appearances for the Reserve side. However it was after the departure of Cleevely as manager and the installation of Gwynne Berry in the Champion Hill hotseat that the promise of youth was fully recognised. Midfield enforcer Danny Ward was called up to the first team, making his league debut at Heybridge with Adam Pero included in the squad for that game.
Although the Southern Youth League season was eventually curtailed with League honours undecided, Dulwich completed their triumphant return with a first ever victory in the SYL Challenge Cup, beating Woking in the final at Gander Green Lane. After Francis Quarm had given the Hamlet the lead in the opening seconds with a close range header, Dulwich gave Woking keeper Stuart Baverstock a torrid time, peppering his goal from all angles. Number two came courtesy of Lee Scott who evaded his marker to run on to Danny Ward’s perfectly weighted ball and fire home. 22 minutes had elapsed when another Adam Pero flick-on resulted in Meshach Nugent heading the ball beyond the reach of the keeper and it was 3-0. Woking battled back bravely in the second half but the damage had been done. It was no surprise when a fourth arrived courtesy of Dulwich’s leader scorer Adam Pero, rifling the ball home from the edge of the box. Right at the death Woking pulled a goal back after a scramble in the box but the night belonged to the young warriors of John Kasapi's Pink and Blue army. Danny Ward, who has already progressed to representing the Dulwich Hamlet First Team in the Ryman League, picked up the Man of the Match award for his influential role in dominating the midfield and setting up frequent Dulwich attacks.
According to manager, Gwynne Berry, who intends to involve many of that conquering side in the first team set up, the future of Dulwich looks bright.
This success was recognised as players found themselves called for higher honours. Promising goalkeeper Michael Holder was substitute in the FA Cup games at Lewes and Ossie Bayram, junior, son of the former Dulwich hitman made several appearances for the Reserve side. However it was after the departure of Cleevely as manager and the installation of Gwynne Berry in the Champion Hill hotseat that the promise of youth was fully recognised. Midfield enforcer Danny Ward was called up to the first team, making his league debut at Heybridge with Adam Pero included in the squad for that game.
Although the Southern Youth League season was eventually curtailed with League honours undecided, Dulwich completed their triumphant return with a first ever victory in the SYL Challenge Cup, beating Woking in the final at Gander Green Lane. After Francis Quarm had given the Hamlet the lead in the opening seconds with a close range header, Dulwich gave Woking keeper Stuart Baverstock a torrid time, peppering his goal from all angles. Number two came courtesy of Lee Scott who evaded his marker to run on to Danny Ward’s perfectly weighted ball and fire home. 22 minutes had elapsed when another Adam Pero flick-on resulted in Meshach Nugent heading the ball beyond the reach of the keeper and it was 3-0. Woking battled back bravely in the second half but the damage had been done. It was no surprise when a fourth arrived courtesy of Dulwich’s leader scorer Adam Pero, rifling the ball home from the edge of the box. Right at the death Woking pulled a goal back after a scramble in the box but the night belonged to the young warriors of John Kasapi's Pink and Blue army. Danny Ward, who has already progressed to representing the Dulwich Hamlet First Team in the Ryman League, picked up the Man of the Match award for his influential role in dominating the midfield and setting up frequent Dulwich attacks.
According to manager, Gwynne Berry, who intends to involve many of that conquering side in the first team set up, the future of Dulwich looks bright.
