Horsham YMCA 0 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 26^th August 2006

"Young man, there's no need to feel down. I said young man, pick yourself off the ground. I said young man, 'cause you're in a new town. There's no need to be unhappy." For the young men of the Hamlet on their maiden visit to the rustic Gorings Mead home of newly promoted Horsham YMCA, happiness at last as a morale boosting victory was claimed, albeit via the penalty spot after an unfortunate handball incident. Still though the Hamlet have yet to fully click into gear, but at least they could point to the outstanding performance of the hosts' custodian, one James Dumbrill, plucked from local football for his debut, nigh well unbeatable and deserved winner of the man of the match award. Time after time, as Dulwich threatened to run rampant after a stuttering start, he rescued his beleaguered defence performing feats of keeping and acrobaticism seemingly impossible for one of his ample frame.

Just one change for the Hamlet in the starting line up as wise old owl Luke Cornwall came in to join the attack in place of the precocious Sol Pinnock, goalscorer in the midweek defeat at Dover. Disappointing defeat that night, one that needed to be erased with victory. Hamlet started positively, their connoisseur fans seeking a palate sating performance, a banquet of quality football laced with goals a plenty. Feast laced with famine for whilst Dulwich were dainty servers of the first time ball and the lateral pass, the hungry mastiffs of the YMCA defence were snapping up stray passes that fell from the table not as scraps but as whole pheasants.

The uniquely undulating terrain of Gorings Mead certainly provided a new test for the Hamlet, away from the carpet of Champion Hill, judging the weight of a pass as crucial as setting an Open winning putt. A quarter hour of probing at last gave way to the first real chance as Phil Williams danced a polka around his marker on the left side of the penalty area, whipping the ball into the heart of the six yard box where Cornwall was waiting but a tame prod at the ball failed to trouble Dumbrill. Cornwall's persistence almost created a goal out of nothing for striker partner Chris Dickson moments later as he chased down an underhit back pass, Dumbrill's clearance going straight to Dickson but then redeeming himself blocking Mr Goal Machine's pile driver, then watching relieved as the follow up attempt curled wider and wider until it went out for a throw in!

Kenny Beaney chanced his arm with a low long range effort form outside the area but well wide. A corner produced the best opening for a while as Jamie Coyle made a rare sally to the near post, turning on a sixpence to hook the ball goalwards from an acute angle but foiled by Dumbrill who scrambled the ball past the upright. A crucial interception from Glenn "Woodie" Woodburn preventing an encouraging Hamlet move ending in success, as the YMCA defender stretched a leg out to stab Beaney's lashed centre behind. More telling though was the save at the other end by James Pullen, villain of the piece in Dover's fateful third, but hero of the hero as he denied Pat Massaro having been left staring the barrel of a gun following a defensive lapse.

A touch of route one football from the purveyors of passing, Dickson latching on a long punt upfield but robbed by tackle timed to perfection from Steve Best. The troublesome Dickson had only himself to blame when his strength allowed him to hold off his marker and power into the box soon after, his poor finish dribbling into the keeper's waiting hands. Having switched wings with David Moore, Williams rampaged down the right but with just the keeper between him and glory, the ball was lashed high and hopeless. Dickson was again giving the home defence nightmares as he burst through a forest of white shirts into the area but could find the telling pull back.

A clumsy Williams challenge gave YMCA a chance to stun their guests but Massaro's freekick was larruped into the wall, the rebound lashed over and the action returned to the other end. In the dying minutes twice the Hamlet might have had a spot kick. Moore took an almighty shove in the back as he waiting for a high ball to drop. Referee Mr Knight hesitated as did Moore, the ball nicked off his toes as he shaped to shoot. At least the referee spotted the foul play when Moore was again the victim, sent sprawling as he burst into the area. However to the chagrin of players and fans alike, the man in black awarded not a penalty but a freekick a fraction of an inch outside the area, one that would be wasted through an over intricate set piece that allowed YMCA to charge down the eventual shot on goal.

Second half brought more of the same. Early on a well worked move saw Beaney swept the ball out to Moore galloping down the left, his centre met by Dickson but denied hitting the target by a hefty last ditch block. Lurking wide out on the left, Kevin Keehan looked as if he was disinterested in the game but posted intent as a deep cross from the opposite flank picked him out to welly in a sweet angled strike to ensure Pullen was paying attention.

Served a few hors d'oeuvre at last the main course for the Hamlet as fortune swung in their favour. Shot after shot blocked as Dulwich seemed destined not to score but with Dumbrill grounded the ball dropped to Williams ten yards out, the ball lashed towards goal where the hand of Best, intentionally or not only he will know, keep the ball from its intended target. Not doubt about the penalty, even the hosts did not protest, though for Best his misery was compounded as a red card was flourished in his face. Up stepped Dickson and at last Dumbrill was beaten as the Hamlet strike walloped the ball high into the corner of the net. It would be the last time the debutante keeper would pluck the ball from his net. Twice in quick succession he denied the threat of Dickson, as Hamlet found a higher gear. Nicolas Plumain should have done better when a cross from the right dropped at his feet on the corner of the six yard box but his volley kept curling just wide.

A bullish charge through the middle of the park from Moore saw the ball switched inside to Cornwall, but he too was thwarted by Dumbrill's alert save to palm the ball around the post. The ten men of YMCA refused to buckle but with Pullen commanding his area like a general, the greater threat was of more Hamlet goals. Dumbrill would prove a naysayer on that count, hardly tested a Jamie Cheeseman's effort from a couple of yards out but flinging himself full length to tip away Pinnock's deceptively powerful lightning bolt of a shot from fully 25 yards out.

YMCA: James Dumbrill; Rob Mills; Mo Shuga'a; Steve Best; Glen Woodburn; Tom White (Capt); Matt Russell; Ave Gellatly; Kevin Keehan; Pat Massaro (Steve Davies 66); Scott Kirkwood

Unused subs: James Bird; Adam O'Carroll; Mike Wood (GK)

DHFC: James Pullen; Jason Turley; Nicolas Plumain; Daniel Nwanze; Jamie Coyle (Capt); Lewis Tozer; David Moore; Kenny Beaney; Luke Cornwall (Carlton Murray-Price 76); Chris Dickson (Sol Pinnock 76); Phil Williams (Jamie Cheeseman 70)

Unused subs: Ohran Stewart; Danny Moore

Attendance: 153

Officials:

Referee: Mr Ben Knight

Assistant Referees: Mr Anthony Foster & Mr Stephen Thorne

Goal Scoring:

1-0: DHFC: Chris Dickson (Penalty) 61^st minute