Hendon FC 1 Dulwich Hamlet 3

Hendon FC 1 Dulwich Hamlet 3
Tuesday 9th December 2003
London Senior Cup – Third Round

The Hamlet put the setbacks of Saturday behind them as they marched defiantly into the Fourth Round of The London Cup and a January date with holders Bromley, thanks to an emphatic first half performance at Claremont Road as the high-flying Premier Division outfit were put to the sword on their own turf. In an indication of the strength in depth of the current Hamlet squad manager Martin Eede made eight changes to the starting line up from the Banstead debacle, with only skipper Alex O’Brien, centre half Gavin Dayes and winger Kemal Bulent remaining. In a line up bristling with youth were it not for the presence of the evergreen Lee Akers, tempting away from his pipe and slippers on a chill, misty evening the average age would surely have been in the low twenties.
Playing down the slope in the first half, the young bucks of Dulwich were soon savaging their loftier hosts and within the first minute Francis Quarm saw an angled shot headed off the line after some nervous defending from the Dons. On eight minutes, Quarm was not to be denied when Meshach Nugent’s exquisite pass released the quicksilver Ronnie Green. Green’s dancing feet mesmerised his marker before he nipped past and delivered a pinpoint cross for Quarm to plant a firm header past keeper Dean Lindsay from six yards out.
The Dons’ faces looked as green as their shirts as they were constantly forced on to the back foot as Dulwich sliced through their flanks with Russell Bedford on his first start of the season particularly impressive as his pace and panache constantly bamboozled Hendon’s right back. Over on the opposite wing Bulent was providing an equally impressive service and when he pulled an excellent cross in from close to the corner flag, Lindsay had to stretch to fingertip the ball away from the marauding Green.
It was no surprise when Dulwich added a second goal in the 20th minute. Dayes was sent sprawling to earn the Hamlet a freekick and when Bulent delivered the ball into a crowded penalty area, Nugent was on head to finish from close range for his first senior goal in Pink & Blue. Nugent only had to wait 15 minutes to double his tally when Jaz Rose’s injudicious tackle from behind on Green saw a penalty awarded and referee Mr Bottomer go some way towards atoning for his contentious stoppage time penalty that robbed the Hamlet of this prize in the 2002 Final. Up stepped Nugent to the spot and in stark contrast to regular spot kick king Omari Coleman, smashed the ball home off the underside of the bar.
Rampant in attack, composed in defence, Dulwich looked in complete command and cheered on by a vociferous bunch of hardy supporters looked set to totally overrun their loftier hosts, maybe even avenge one of Dulwich’s darkest hours when they crashed 10-1 in a league game on this ground back in the 1963/64 season.
After some magnificent work down the left by the tireless Bedford, Dulwich almost grabbed a fourth just before the break but Bulent shot over. A moment later Hendon managed their sole dangerous moment of the half when Dale Binns found a clink in Hamlet’s armour but was denied by a magnificent stop on the line by Paul Seuke.
Battered and bruised in the first half, Hendon looked a better team in the second although this had as much to do with a Dulwich realisation that they could hold the opposition was in their pockets. Content to soak up the home pressure Dulwich were still dangerous on the break and Nugent was a whisker away from completing a hat-trick but for Lindsay finger-tipping away Bulent’s whipped low cross as the Hamlet hitman waited to pounce.
On 68 minutes Hendon gained some consolation when they pulled a goal back through René James-Barriteau who tucked the ball home from close range after Binns and Martin Randall had combined well to create the opening.
With Warren Haughton sent into the fray for the last quarter hour, the substitute almost obliged with a fourth for Dulwich as his low drive almost squirmed through Lindsay but much to Haughton’s chagrin defender James Burgess was on hand to spare his keeper’s blushes clearing his lines.
Dulwich survived the odd scare as the game drew to its inevitable conclusion but keeper Seuke was more tested by a looping back header from Dayes than anything the wayward Hendon strikers threw at him. Next round, rendezvous Bromley.

Teams: Hendon FC: 1 Dean Lindsay; 2 Gary Meakin; 3 James Burgess; 4 Steve Gray; 5 Jaz Rose (17 Mehmet Unal 55); 6 Nicky Booth; 7 Daniel Llewellyn; 8 René James-Barriteau; 9 Martin Randall; 10 Andy Hutchinson (12 Aaron McLeish 82); 11 Dale Binns
Subs not used: 14 Adilson Lopes; 16 Andrew Vincent

Dulwich Hamlet FC: 1 Paul Seuke; 2 Lee Akers; 3 Junior Kamara; 4 Alex O'Brien; 5 Gavin Dayes; 6 Russell Bedford; 7 Kemal Bulent; 8 Francis Quarm; 9 Meshach Nugent; 10 Ali Kyezu; 11 Ronnie Green (15 Warren Haughton 73)
Subs not used: 12 David Moore; 14 Lee Doherty; 16 Charley Side; 17 Jason Turley

Legendary Amateur Footballer Recognised by People of Southwark

On Thursday 20th November at 2 p.m., more than 70 years after his finest hours, Dulwich Hamlet players past and present as well as supporters of the South London team will make their way along the road that bears his name to Champion Hill for the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to one of the true superstars of the amateur game, Edgar Kail. The Mayor of Southwark and local MP Tessa Jowell, Minister for Sport and Culture, will also be in attendance.
Earlier this year Southwark Council, in conjunction with local paper the Southwark News, announced that it would be honouring famous citizens and landmarks within the borough asking residents to vote from a list of 50 candidates, the top 20 being awarded a blue Peoples Plaque. Hamlet fans were swiftly canvassing votes as visiting supporters and locals alike were only too happy to nominate Kail. When the final votes were published even die-hard fans had to admit a pleasant shock as Kail came sixth in overall vote ahead of Peckham’s Rio Ferdinand by some way and with more votes than Charles Dickens, great Briton Isambard Kingdom Brunel and even Sir Michael Caine (not a lot of people voted for him!).
More than 70 years have passed since his finest hours and, looking down from the celestial football field, Kail might glance upon a much different Champion Hill that had swelled to bursting point during amateur football’s golden era. Nevertheless the fans of the Hamlet still chant the name of the dynamic striker with the quicksilver feet and a sniper’s eye for goal who stayed loyal to the local club he joined at the outbreak of World One aged 14. Many were the times professional clubs came begging the prolific hitman to take the King’s Shilling and turn pro but no matter how tempting the inducements, Kail would remain with Dulwich for nearly two decades. During this time, he clocked up a phenomenal 427 goals for the club, including 53 in the 1925-1926 season, club records which remain unbeaten to this day. With crowds regularly topping 15,000 Dulwich Hamlet enjoyed a purple patch between the Wars that included victory in the 1920 and 1932 FA Amateur Cup Finals.
However Edgar’s finest hour was yet to come as in 1929, he was selected by the England FULL International XI, the last amateur player whilst with an amateur team to be so honoured. An end of season tour took in France (where Kail scored twice in a 4-1 victory), Belgium and Spain (*see attached article), Kail wining a hat trick of caps. But for the FA’s insular refusal to participate in the following year’s inaugural World Cup in Uruguay, Dulwich might even have been celebrating a World Cup winner amongst their ranks, such was the impression Kail made on the tour.
In addition to his full England caps, Kail played 21 times for the England Amateur XI and was reputedly a demon bowler for the Dulwich Hamlet Cricket XI! Such was his fame that on retirement he was snapped up by the popular Daily Sketch newspaper as a columnist whose every word was avidly devoured by the newspapers’ readers.
Moving to Scotland in the late sixties, Kail passed away in 1976 but long after his achievements have passed into legend the name of the man who refused to sell out is chanted long and loud by the Dulwich supporters, “Edgar Kail in my heart keep me Dulwich, Edgar Kail in my heart I pray, Edgar Kail in my heart keep me Dulwich, keep me Dulwich ‘til my dying day.”

LEST WE FORGET… or have we already?

Forgive an old soldier his piece but pursuing that venerable organ of all matters Southwark, the Southwark News, I chanced upon a letter from a Mr Andrew Tucker of Sydenham bemoaning the failure to observe the two minutes’ silence upon the anniversary of September the 11th. I would hope that this was a typographical error on behalf of said correspondent, for though I have nothing against our American cousins from across the pond, my personal vent is that the ease with which people accepted marking that catastrophe is matched only by their ignorance of a more significant date just one month later. I speak of November 11th, Armistice Day to those of us old enough to remember. After many years of struggle, a national two-minute silence was recently reintroduced upon the occasion of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Although this would rarely if ever coincide with a home game, it had long been a tradition at Champion Hill for the silence to observed before kick-off on the Saturday immediately preceding Remembrance Sunday.
However in recent years this tradition seems to have ground to a halt as the minute’s silence becomes increasingly devalued. No one doubts the tragedy of the murder of those two girls from Soham but the irrational hysteria, fuelled by guilt, that followed came to a head with all football clubs ordered to observe a silence – all because they were wearing Manchester United shirts when they were abducted.
It beggars belief when a local lad, Damilola Taylor, loses his life in equally tragic circumstances, the silence is deafening by its absence.
With the almost evangelical zeal with which we have been forced to observe such gratuitous silences, it is particularly galling that the Hamlet had two chances but failed to pay their respects on either. On the Saturday before Remembrance Sunday it was Croydon at home but the only silence came from the travelling fan, whilst Tooting were entertained the following Tuesday 12th November. Both of these dates should have sufficed but neither was taken. When the survivors limped back limbless and sightless, maimed and shell-shocked from the killing fields of France and Belgium in 1918, there would have been many connected with Dulwich Hamlet, both supporter and player amongst there number. Likewise in 1945, as the memorial inside reception will testify. A moment of remembrance for their sacrifice would not go amiss.

AFC Wimbledon Supporters 6 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 3

AFC Wimbledon Supporters 6 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 3
Internet Football Association London Football League – Division Two
Sunday 12th October 2003

Dulwich kicked off their inaugural season in the IFA with defeat against the Dons in a high scoring match at Colliers Wood United. However selector Mishi Morath commented after the game that he was satisfied with the result given that the fledgling Dons had a much greater supporter base from which to select their squad. Indeed a heavy defeat did seem on the cards when AFC Supporters, with a strong wind at their backs, charged into an early 4-0 lead before Dulwich pulled one back through Benny Garner. Had Garner’s penalty minutes later not been saved the Hamlet might have been within touching distance of their opponents before the break but instead were caught out when AFC scored a fifth before half time. With the wind now in their favour and more coherent and passionate in their play, Dulwich rallied after the break with James O’Shaughnessy on his debut scoring a magnificent goal early on. Showing intense determination to keep the ball in on the right touchline, he beat the AFC keeper with a stunning shot from an impossible angle. When Steve Rickerby converted a penalty mid way through the game, hopes of a Dulwich revival were high but AFC held strong and as the Hamlet’s legs tired added a sixth to wrap up the scoring.

Team: Matt Hammond; Dave Penny; Paul Griffin; Gunner Lorimer; Lucas Green; Phil Doyle; Dan Colquhoun; Phil Baker; Alex Bushell; Steve Rickerby; Benny Garner
Subs used: James O’Shaughnessy; Gareth Taylor; Mishi Morath

TRAGIC ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF FORMER HAMLET FAVOURITE

Dulwich Hamlet have been left deeply saddened by the news last week that former goalkeeper Trevor Jones has died after a tragic accident at Old Cranleighan Sports Club in Thames Ditton, where he was general manager, just two days before he was due to celebrate his 34th birthday. It is believed that he was electrocuted as he attempted to install a glass washer in the club’s bar. Players from the Old Cranleighan Hockey Club attempted to revive him but after being taken to Kingston General Hospital in a critical condition, he died at around 10 o’clock on Tuesday evening.
Under the management of Frank Murphy, Jones made his debut for Dulwich in October 1995 against Walton & Hersham, making the keeper’s jersey his own until being displaced by Gary McCann the following season. However it is for one match in particular at Dagenham & Redbridge in November 1996 that Jones will be most fondly remembered by Dulwich fans. Suffering an injury crisis, Dulwich were left with just 13 fit players including keepers McCann and Jones, a scenario that saw Jones take to the field in the role of makeshift striker as Dulwich battled their way to a deserved draw at Victoria Road.
Latterly Jones had been Reserve Team Manager at Kingstonian where he was understudy to first team keeper Lance Key but it was his tireless efforts behind the scenes that won him the affection of the K’s fans who remembered him with a minute’s silence before Saturday’s 1-0 triumph over Kettering, a victory manager Kim Harris dedicated to his departed friend.
The funeral will take place at St Christopher’s Church in Thames Ditton on Wednesday 15th October.

Staines 3 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Staines 3 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Saturday 23rd August 2003
Isthmian League Division One South

Despite a heartening fight back from a two goal deficit, ultimately the Hamlet were the architects of their own defeat as the 100% record came to a stuttering finish at Wheatsheaf Park, home of big-spending Staines. Unchanged from victory at Horsham in midweek, Dulwich were confident of maintaining their bright start to the new term and early on held the upper hand. In the eight minute Francis Quarm unleashed a steamer of drive from the edge of the box to which Matt Lovett had to react sharply, diving to his right to batter the ball away. Moments later David Moore produced a mazy dribble that had left defenders dizzy but as he cut into the penalty area, moment’s hesitation cost him dearly as a lunging Steve McGrath tackle robbed him of the ball as he shaped to shoot.
There were ominous portents of what was to come shortly after as concerted Dulwich pressure saw them win a corner. An in-swinger looked destined for the head of Omari Coleman, until Lovett hove into view with a punch off the Hamlet hitman’s head. Suddenly Dulwich found themselves desperately back tracking as the Swans launched a swift counter attack that saw the ball find Dean Pitcher in a scoring position only to fire wide of the target with a shot on the run.
Swans in nickname the Staines team may be but this current side, boasting many years of Conference and Football League experience in its ranks, possess a steely backbone in contrast to that graceful bird. This fact was not lost on Quarm as Mark Pye left his calling card on the young midfielder with a bone-crunching foul that saw Quarm launched into the air but brought nothing stronger that a mild admonishment from the referee. Perhaps the man in black had in mind Pye’s infamous encounter with the equally fiery George Borg that left the former Aldershot manager singing soprano.
As the action swung from end to end both sides had chances, Ronnie Green’s glancing header from a glorious Tony Houghton cross from the left wing whizzing the wrong side of the upright whilst the attentions of Junior Kamara did enough to distract Pitcher as he met a low cross from the right only to loft it into an adjoining garden.
Midway through the first half, things started to go wrong for the Hamlet as Staines snatched the advantage with a brace of goals in less than a minute. Aggrieved at a dubious freekick awarded to the hosts, the Hamlet defence had not yet regained its composure when the ball was delivered and although the first assault was cleared it was not to a position of safety. Matt Flitter was first to the ball and despite an attempt to dispossess him sent in a killer cross to the back post where Paul Ellis was waiting, stooping to power the ball past Paul Seuke.
Dulwich barely had time to digest this when they were caught out once again almost straight from the kick-off. Kezi Ibe latched on to Dulwich dithering, winning the ball and embarking on a one-man mission on the Hamlet goal. In all reality he should not have been allowed to get a shot on but as he stumbled through some half-hearted challenges before firing past a cruelly exposed Seuke, Lee Doherty in particular must have been asking himself how he could not land a telling tackle on the forward.
To the Hamlet’s credit, shell-shocked as they were, there was no question of capitulation as, with skipper Al-James Hannigan cajoling and urging on his young charges, Dulwich turned up the gas to assail the Staines goal. A storming surge down the right saw Green pull the ball back from the goal line to Coleman. Finding his path to goal blocked Coleman laid the ball back to Houghton but his cracker was deflected over the crossbar. Coleman went close himself within minutes as a rasping low drive went just wide of the post.
A great tackle from Houghton allowed Coleman to streak down the left before picking out Green in the centre, the ball making its way to Danny Ward whose effort was blocked.
Two minutes of stoppage time played the Hamlet found a lifeline as the deficit was halved courtesy of a Kamara goal. Rising highest he met a Houghton freekick with a looping header that left Lovett rooted to the spot and sent the Dulwich fans to their half time Bovril a little happier.
Three minutes into the second half and the two sides were back on level terms. A ball over the top found Coleman and his lighting pace left Flitter eating dust as he bore down on goal, giving Lovett no chance as he banged a sizzling low drive home from 10 yards out.
By now referee Kevin Haines, whose reluctance to admonish players had typified the first half, had remembered his cards with both McGrath and Richard Gell getting ones to match their shirts.
With both sides now cranking up the pressure, it seemed certain that further gaols were on the cards, Pitcher stabbing wide after meeting a cross from the left. This was the cue for a flurry of Dulwich set pieces that saw them come within an ace of grabbing a third. Pye was again the perpetrator, Alex O’Brien the victim, the quickly taken freekick seeing Hannigan ghosting in at the back a la Martin Peters hoping to catch the Staines rearguard unawares. Unfortunately Lovett was alert to the danger punching the ball behind for a corner. A deep ball to the back followed with Hannigan lofting in a delicate chip that had the Staines defence flustered as it was heading behind for another corner.
Then suddenly the game was turned on its head as the Hamlet once again found themselves victims of a smash and grab raid as a swift Swans counterattack saw them regain the lead courtesy of a Craig Maskell penalty. For once it was not the veteran striker tumbling to the ground in the penalty area that won the hosts their spot kick but Hamlet could have few complaints about the award as a lazy attempt at a challenge saw Pitcher tumble over Doherty’s outstretched leg. Unlike Tuesday night there was to be no reprieve for the Hamlet as Maskell, deadly as ever from 12 yards gave Seuke no chance with the penalty.
On came Mark Hynes in place of Ward and he almost made an instant impact arching like a salmon to meet a left wing cross but unable to direct it on target.
Dulwich’s task became even more difficult when they were reduced to ten men after Houghton’s express train lunge into Ellis left the Staines defender writhing in agony on the floor and Mr Haines brandishing a red card. It may have been a genuine attempt to win the ball but the Staines player’s reaction convinced the referee that Houghton’s impetuous tackle merited dismissal.
Even with ten men the Hamlet were not yet down but time was against them. Hynes almost set up Coleman from close range only for a defender to nick the ball off his toes. Haughton was sent tumbling in the box but no penalty resulted and in the dying embers of the match Hynes got on the end of a Hannigan delivery with a diving header a fraction off target.

Teams:
Staines:
Matt Lovett; Paul Ellis; Darren Deegan; Steve McGrath; Matt Flitter; Julian Sills; Richard Gell; Paul Ellis; Kezie Ibe; Craig Maskell; Dean Pitcher
Subs: Phil Dicker; Jon McDonald; Darren Beale; Eddie van Halen; Danny Rouco

Dulwich Hamlet:
Paul Seuke; Junior Kamara; Lee Doherty; Alex O’Brien; Al-James Hannigan; David Moore (Warren Haughton 84); Tony Houghton; Francis Quarm; Omari Coleman; Danny Ward (15: Mark Hynes 75); Ronnie Green (Eben Allen 63)
Subs not used: Charley Side; Scott Ward (GK)

JEEPERS KEEPERS

Dulwich Hamlet resident statto, John Lawrence, has been scouring the record books after the South London club used a total of five different goalkeepers in the space of less than an hour of football last week. With 12 minutes left of their second leg Bryco Cup semi-final tie remaining and Dulwich trailing by two goals on aggregate, keeper Scott Ward was sent off for holding back an opponent just inside the penalty area. Having previously gone between the sticks albeit in a friendly several years ago, Lee Akers took on the goalie’s shirt and the responsibility of facing the spotkick, but was unable to keep out Nevin Saroya’s precise penalty. Shortly afterwards Steve Restarick who’d been stuggling with a groin injury was pulled off by manager Martin Eede who brought on substitute custodian James Mercer, relieving Akers of his goalkeeping duties. However there was no happy ending to the story as although Dulwich pulled back a late equaliser on the night through Omari Coleman, they bowed out of the competition 4-6 on aggregate. It was a different tale on Saturday as Dulwich resumed their battle to stay in the promotion race with a trip to deadly rivals Tooting and Mitcham. Approaching half time and with the sides deadlocked at 0-0, the ill-starred Scott Ward finished a nightmare five days by crumpling to the ground in agony as he took a goal kick. As he was stretchered from the field, his namesake Danny Ward donned the gloves and jersey for the final few seconds of the half. With no specialist keeper on the bench the reins of responsibility passed to substitute Jon Ashton for the second half and to chants of ‘England’s Number One’ from the Dulwich travelling fans, the big Cornish defender proceeded to deal with anything Tooting could throw at him, keeping a clear sheet as Dulwich completed a league and Trophy treble over the Terrors with a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Mark Hynes and Coleman (penalty).

Dulwich Hamlet 0 Margate 2

Dulwich Hamlet 0 Margate 2
FA Trophy – Third Round
Saturday 11th January 2003

Dulwich’s dreams of FA Trophy glory came to end against Conference side Margate on Saturday, but despite the defeat the boys in Pink and Blue could hold their heads high after a sterling performance against a team two divisions above them in the Pyramid. Having had the better of the first half against the seasiders, Dulwich were made to rue missed chances as second half goals from Jean-Michel Sigere and substitute Jake Leberl saw the conference side through to an away tie against Worcester City in the Fourth Round.
All the more remarkable that the tie took place at all for 48 hours earlier a shroud of snow enveloped the ground but the toils of a small band of volunteers had seen the pitch readied all in time for the Hamlet’s largest crowd of the season.
Martin Eede selections were limited as suspension robbed him of the combative Danny Ward in midfield, whilst both Germaine Amanuel and David Moore were cup-tied and Scott Ward had not re-signed in time to be eligible for the tie. However Omari Coleman returned to the starting line-up for the first time since his injury against Epsom & Ewell. The future Hamlet too was recognised as Albert Jarrett and Russell Bedford from the youth team were included among the substitutes.
The game took its time to get going with Dulwich pushing relentlessly forward, the pace of Coleman and the tricky skills of Peter Adeniyi proving a headache for the visitors’ defence. Margate’s response to their hosts’ flair was to mimic nightclub bouncers, treating the ball as if it were some rowdy punter, unceremoniously hoofing it upfield.
After ten minutes Dulwich had a great chance to open the scoring as Coleman met a right wing cross from Junior Kadi with a ferocious half-volley from the edge of the box that stung the hands of keeper Charlie Mitten as he awkwardly battering the ball behind for a corner. From this Kadi swung the ball into the near post, seemingly destined to sneak in to the top corner until Mitten got across to punch it out.
Five minutes later James Mercer gave a timely reminder of his agility as he pulled a save out of the top drawer to turn over a goalbound header from Graham Porter. At the other end Mitten was almost embarrassed as an underhit backpass from Bill Edwards was chased by Adeniyi, the keeper’s clearance smashing against the Dulwich attacker, only for Mitten to gratefully clutch the ball as it threatened to rebound over his head.
Mid way through the half Margate came within inches of grabbing the lead against the run of play. Simon Beard, denied moments early as Mercer’s anticipation saw he snatch the ball of the former Hammer, hit a first time steamer from the edge of the box that swerved wickedly but crashed off the bar and behind.
As the half drew to a close Dulwich put together a delightful move, Adeniyi swinging the ball out to Kemal Bulent on the touchline, who put in a deep cross that found Francis Quarm arriving at the back of the box. However the close attentions of Adrian Clarke were enough to put Quarm off as he volleyed wide and although there were tentative shouts for a penalty these fell upon deaf ears. Bang on 45 minutes another glorious Dulwich move saw the Hamlet sweep imperiously out of defence and with the referee choosing to ignore some heavy tackles on Quarm, the ball ran to Kadi on the edge of the D. However he snatched at his shot and the ball flew harmlessly wide.
Decided second best against their, supposedly inferior, opponents Margate opted to change their pattern of play for the final 45 minutes and it rapidly paid dividends much to the dismay of the Hamlet faithful. A mere four minutes into the second half and Margate launched an attack down the right, the ball delivered into the box by Sam Sodje. As it ran lose Sigere muscled his way in front of Dave Richards and smacked the ball home from close range.
It would have been easy for the Hamlet to fold at this point in the knowledge that the benefits of promotion might easily outweigh those of a Trophy run but having more than matched a Conference side, like a dog with a bone there was no way they would let this chance of glory disappear.
Having avoided conceding a second as John Keister shot wide after exploiting a Jon Ashton slip, Dulwich moved up a gear enjoying a purple patch as they threatened an equaliser. The ball finding Bulent out on the wing, it was delivered into Kadi who chested it down before nipping past a brace of defenders and firing in a low angled shot that beat Mitten but was cleared off the line by Sodje, sliding in just ahead of the lurking Coleman. The resulting corner flashed across the face of the goal then Ashton rose highest at the back post but Mitten proved to be his nemesis stretching to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Victory as priority saw Bulent sacrificed for Eben Allen and his determination almost created a chance for Coleman within seconds, but his cross was too far behind the striker. Then with six minutes left came heartbreak for the Hamlet. Leberl, whose appearance from the bench had not been universally applauded by the Margate supporters seconds earlier, collected the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a sizzling drive that gave Mercer no chance.
Sadly there was to no giantkilling at the Hill but for the second time in a week the players had risen to the challenge in hand and given all they could – against Carshalton it had been plenty, today it was not quite enough but still the fans were proud of them.

Team: James Mercer; Jon Ashton; Kemal Bulent (14: Eben Allen 74); Peter Adeniyi; Dave Richards; Gavin Rose; Francis Quarm (15: Russell Bedford 90); Justin Bowen; Omari Coleman (12: Steffan Ball 83); Junior Kadi; Lee Akers
Subs not used:; 16: Albert Jarrett; GK: Nej Hussain

Latest News

Dulwich Kick-start Season With Victory over Leaders

Dulwich Hamlet put their disappointing Christmas behind them as they picked up a welcome three points at home to Carshalton Athletic. The game, rearranged from New Year’s Day after a waterlogged pitch forced a postponement, might have been in doubt due to the freezing conditions but the sterling efforts of the groundstaff ensured that the pitch was playable and the crowd was treated to a cracking encounter as Dulwich outthought and out-fought the title favourites to clinch victory. The only goal of the game was scored after twelve minutes when a pass found Peter Adeniyi out on the left wing. A couple of shimmies and a brace of bemused defenders later he whipped a low cross into the penalty area. There the ball was met by Gavin Rose who beat goalkeeper Stuart Searle with a sweet and simple sidefooted effort from 12 yards. Dulwich might have added a second midway through the second half as substitute Omari Coleman, back from injury, met an Adeniyi cross first time, his effort beating Searle but cannoning back off the upright. Remarkably, with the goal at his mercy and Searle sprawling, Junior Kadi somehow managed to smack the rebound against the opposite post. Still the danger was not cleared with Francis Quarm providing the cross from which a Lee Akers forced a fine save out of Searle as he turned the ball over the crossbar. The reaction of the two opposing managers at the final whistle was pure contrast as Martin Eede was left beaming. By contrast, Robin’s boss Graham Roberts earned himself a red card for a tirade against the referee after the final whistle, aggrieved at the amount of stoppage time played.

All Change at Champion Hill

Competition for the keeper’s jersey at Dulwich Hamlet has intensified with new that manager Martin Eede has resigned Scott Ward. The former Luton number one and brother of Millwall’s Darren left Champion Hill in December to join Premier Division strugglers Grays Athletic but found himself relegated to the bench when Grays brought in former Southend United custodian Melvin Capleton for last Saturday’s victory over Enfield. Ward reclaimed the Dulwich gloves for the visit of Carshalton Athletic on Tuesday night and marked his return with a clean sheet against the division leaders. A smiling Martin Eede was pleased with his dilemma over the two highly rated young keepers and compared himself to Ron Greenwood having to choose between Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton.
Additionally Dulwich have captured striker Jermaine Amanuel from promotion rivals Lewes and he also made his debut in that victory over Carshalton. Hamlet fans may remember him from the defeat at the Dripping Pan back in October when scoring a late second goal to confirm the Rooks’ 2-0 victory.
Leaving the Hamlet are Danny Husbands and Luke Basford. Husbands originally joined the Hamlet in autumn 2001 after a spell out of the game following injury. It was while filming for Sky’s Dream Team, in which he still regularly appears, that Dulwich striker Declan Perkins recommended the Hamlet and industrious midfielder Danny went on to make 51 appearances scoring 3 times. Left back Basford joined from Whyteleafe in the close season but despite some exceptional performances faced increased competition from Kemal Bulent in the left wing back role.

FA Trophy

South Londoners are more used to making the long trip down to Margate for their holidays but this coming Saturday the roles will be reversed as Champion Hill looks forward to their biggest game since 1996 when Southport escaped with a narrow 1-0 victory in the FA First Round, Dulwich’s first appearance at that stage for half a century. Whilst the FA Cup has long been consigned to memory, the Hamlet have reserved some of their best performances for the FA Trophy in recent years. Last season they disposed of Premier Division Billericay Town, before narrowly losing a seven-goal thriller at home to Braintree Town. This term has already seen the Pink and Blues beat Met Police in a replay a result that set up a monster tie against old rivals Tooting and Mitcham at their brand spanking new Imperial Fields stadium. In torrential rain, Dulwich overcame the setback of Gavin Rose’s dismissal and a 2-1 deficit to fight back and claim a stunning 3-2 triumph, thanks to a brace from Declan Perkins. Next up came the long trek to the West Country where a single Eben Allen goal was enough to secure victory.
Dulwich manager Martin Eede is not normally a man to go overboard but he quietly fancies his team’s chances of causing an upset against the Conference strugglers. ‘With injuries worries receding I hope to have my main strike force up and running in time for this match’, he said. ‘Also our defence again showed it is capable of being as mean as my Chairman in the bar!’
Margate currently lie one place above the relegation zone in the Conference but have proved themselves adept in knockout competitions in recent years. Last season they got to the Sixth Round of the Trophy before going down to Morecambe at home. This season their heroics have come in the FA Cup where they famously dispatched Leyton Orient 1-0 in a replay, John Keister converting the penalty that took them through, before going down 3-0 in a home tie against Cardiff City. The main threat will come from leading scorer and England Semi-Pro Leon Braithwaite who has bagged eight goals this term despite an injury-enforced layoff.

LEAD WEIGHTS ON THE B******S?

The world of Formula One motor-racing, as anodyne as a WI meeting since they decided to try and get rid of the only things that made it interesting (i.e. the danger and the possibility that one of the drivers might be at least injured if not mortally wounded in some spectacular crash), actually managed to become even more mind-numbingly tedious last year with the Ferraris’, and Michael Schumacher in particular, overwhelming dominance ensuring that the majority of races were little more than an procession. In an effort to make the ‘sport’ more interesting and cling on to those vital tobacco advertising dollars, Bernie Eccleston and his cronies (sorry the sport’s governing body, the FIA) spent many hours scratching their heads in a vain attempt to find some innovative ideas that would keep viewers glued to their sets and that free-flowing revenue on tap. The public anticipated all sorts of innovative ideas that might make the racing just and little bit more competitive and return Formula One to those halcyon days of Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, etc when the only danger a driver feared was a stray champagne cork taking out an eye. However in the end of course all they came up was a tiny bit of rule tinkering, but the rumours of what they were going to do to stop Schumacher winning every single race were magnificent.
Fed up with the inexorable march of the Ferraris to victory at each event, it seemed there were no end to the measures that the authorities were contemplating. For a while it looked as though the smut Kraut would be forced into taking the wheel of Reliant Robin to try and make things a bit more challenging, or perhaps a black cab with the fare light on, thus forcing him to stop and pick up any other drivers that broke down. At the very least he would have to drive with one hand tied behind his back, backwards or have his helmet visor painted black.
For most of this season, it has looked as if Topsy-Turvy might have to consider something similar with Carshalton Athletic. With a sugar daddy in the boardroom and Graham Roberts on the bench, they have been widely tipped since pre-season to stroll to a promotion place, if not the Championship. Despite an opening day slip up at Lewes, they have continued to sweep all before them and look set to claim their place in the Premier Division come May.
So what about some handicapping for the Robins then? Perhaps every time the venerable Steve Darlington tucks away a goal he should be made to carry a substitute around on his back for the next half an hour, or if Bernadette Ouefio hits the back of the net his shoelaces should be tied together until the next goal is scored. At least with Stuart Searle back between the sticks, it looks as if the handicappers have already been at work, insisting that the old stager be played instead of young Paul Borg. If you don’t believe me look at the Robins’ stats – in Searle’s last ten appearances (up to Boxing Day in case the Hamlet went nuts on Tuesday!) Carshalton have conceded one goal in nine of them, the only exception being two at Canvey Island in the FA Trophy.
As for the Hamlet they seem to be doing their level best to handicap themselves, results against Bracknell and Whyteleafe in recent weeks spring to mind, but should the need arise I suppose there are a number of ways in which the blazers at League headquarters (a shed at the bottom of Nick Robinson’s garden).
Lee Akers could be forced to at last act his age, putting off the young whippersnappers around him in defence by constantly grumbling that it wasn’t like this in his day and he didn’t fight a war for them all to stand idly around at corners. The Hamlet’s answer to Bodie and Doyle, Jon Ashton and Danny Husbands, should be forced to update their fashion sense from the 70’s including a sensible short back and sides with the result effect on their public image that they would probably come out on to the field with paper bags on their heads! Steffan Ball should be made to play on his knees – not a huge handicap as he’d still tower over most players and anyway his heading is not really a strong point, although it might restrict his mobility a bit. Meanwhile The Terminator (aka Danny Ward) should be sent away for elocution lessons during his next suspension. Probably won’t stop him giving refs earache but at least ‘Excuse me Sir, but despite the forward missing a limb, I feel that was a valid challenge and perfectly timed’ might elicit a better response that the usual flood of invective directed in the direction of the man in black. As for Junior Kadi, should he start turning on the style then the Lawrence Marsh Diktat is invoked, the aforementioned Mr Marsh called from the terraces to run alongside Junior and point out his failings unceasingly. What more could be done – a mobile burger van under the bus shelter to distract Martin Eede? Replace those white boots of Omari Coleman with ballet shoes? There’s no end to the steps that could be taken in the name of fairness!