North Ferriby United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2

North Ferriby United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Pre-Season Challenge Match
Saturday 3rd August 2002

North Ferriby’s picturesque Church Road, the mighty span of the Humber Bridge framing the backdrop, made a attractive setting as Dulwich got their East Riding tour off to a tentative start with a faltering 2-2 draw against the local County Cup holders. The steamy conditions and a draining coach journey made all the worse by a shunt on the A1 almost affected the players as defensive lapses and a failure to convert inviting opportunities contributed to the result.
The hosts had the better of the early exchanges although Nick Leach will be disappointed with a low drive that skewed wide when he had found himself with space just outside the penalty area. The Dulwich goal survived a scare shortly afterwards when a crisp volley on the edge of the box from Gavin Knight just miss its intended target.
Weathering the early storm, Dulwich found their way back into the game and Paul Scott’s predatory instincts almost paid as he leapt on a sloppy pass at the back. Brushing aside the attentions of two defenders determined to make him the meat in a sandwich, he tried one trick too many, attempting to dribble round Paul Sharp in goal but seeing the keeper bravely take the ball off his feet.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Declan Perkins collected a long ball from the wing, knocking a neat ball on to the penalty spot for Francis Quarm to hit first time and finish with a crafty lob over the advancing Sharp who found himself stranded in No Man’s Land as the ball bounced into the net.
Without a minute that lead could have been wiped out but when Martin Garrett swept down the left before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box, Leon Wainman was left shaking his head in disbelief as he failed to provide the killer touch scuffing the ball wide of the upright.
Quarm might have added to his tally in the 25th minute when Sharp came to punch away a freekick but missed leaving Quarm to attempt to chip the ball home through a forest of defenders but just missing the target. Some great work from Scott culminating in a wicked cross from the goalline should have brought reward but with the goal at his mercy Perkins glanced header went wide of the post. Seconds later Dulwich were made to pay as a bizarre gaol worthy of investigation by Mulder and Scully brought the hosts level. Sharp launched a booming goalkick that seemed to pose little danger until a breakdown in communications saw Vill Powell sneak in between Mercer and his defence and dribble round the forlorn keeper before gleefully banging the ball into the empty net. Shell-shocked by this Dulwich were soon in deeper trouble as Powell turned provider scampering off down the left flank, despite protestations of offside, before centring the ball to fellow striker Knight who had the simple task of turning the ball past an incensed Mercer. Heated discussions with the officials ensued but to no avail and the goal stood.
With the heat taking its toll, changes were made throughout the half and two of Dulwich’s combined early on as tricky skills from Rob Hughes on the left paved the way for Charley Side’s to attempt a devilish curling effort from the edge of the box that had Sharp scurrying across his goal but was ultimately wide of the mark. Slack marking was almost punished when scorer Knight found himself unmarked at the back as he met a cross from the left wing but to Dulwich’s relief his header went astray.
On 69 minutes a Ferriby freekick caused some degree of panic in the Dulwich box but when Ian Ashby got his effort in Quarm popped up on his own goalline to boot the ball to safety. Two minutes later Dulwich introduced Frank Burton, a promising young striker recommended by old hand and fans’ favourite Lee Akers, and he was to have an almost instantaneous effect. Quarm’s tenacious tackling won the ball in midfield and he found Side in the D with an adroit pass. Side instantly fed Burton who had left his marker for dead before drawing Sharp and with a composed finish, he levelled the score. Indeed the new lad might have further endeared himself to the travelling faithful in stoppage time when a long ball saw Side hare away before centring to Burton, but this time his finishing was less effective as he lifted the ball over the keeper and bar.
At the end of a gruelling day that had begun at 8.00 a.m. in the car park at Champion Hill, an honourable draw seemed a fitting result, although the first-rate hosts were probably more pleased.

Team: James Mercer; Justin Bowen; Luke Basford; Dave Richards; Chris Currie; Nick Leach; Francis Quarm; Junior Kadi; Declan Perkins; Paul Scott; Ryan Pacey

Subs used: Tony Chin; Charley Side; Rob Hughes; Ward Trowman; Michael Ebanks; Jimmy Goldsmith; Frank Burton; Danny Ward; Danny Twin