Tooting and Mitcham United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2

The FA Trophy – Preliminary Round

Saturday 7th October 2006

Alongside the great cathedrals of football, Imperial Fields is but a small chapel but its faithful if thinning congregation still await a second coming, the day when the raucous voices of the Black & White hoards is heard once again in land. Latest perceived messiah to take on the heavy mantle of that expectation is one Billy Smith, a man whose sides reflect a philosophy and belief in football in the raw, but for whom the sword of Damocles dangles as his much-hyped charges languish near the foot of the division, gazing plaintively up like paupers at the rich man’s table as the promotion chasers already threaten to gallop over the horizon. One of those highfliers came a-knocking at the doors of Imperial Fields as the FA Trophy brought welcome relief to the drudgery of the league struggle and with it a visit from the Terrors deadliest rivals and Smith’s erstwhile employers, Dulwich Hamlet. The omens were none too good for defeat at Imperial Fields is an unknown to the Hamlet since this continental creation replaced the crumbling edifice that was Sandy Lane.

One surprise in the Hamlet line-up was the replacement of the industrious Luke Cornwall in attack with young Daniel Jones, making his debut in the starting line-up. Those that questioned the decision soon found themselves chewing on their words with the tyro striker capping an impressive performance with a sweetly taken first half goal. With Jason Turley out through injury the only other change for the Hamlet saw Nicolas Plumain come in at right back. For their part the Terrors made just the one switch from a midweek Westview marathon at Croydon Athletic as Jamie Findlay dropped to the bench and Craig Tanner returned to the starting line-up.

Almost from the kick-off, Tooting’s Jason Pinnock had the chance to spark a light in his side’s gloomy season as he latched on to a half hit clearance from Gavin Dayes but could not punish the lapse as a poor shot was scrambled away by Chris Lewington, Hamlet’s cup custodian in the absence of James Pullen.

No Danny Ward to light the fires of enmity, but this game was not to be lacking its fair share of tasty tackles courtesy of Dulwich skipper Daniel Nwanze and one-time Hamlet defender Allan McLeod, both determined to put one over on former sides. Nwanze, who shook the hands of Tooting’s players as captain now shook their bones with a series of wince-inducing challenges. The midfield’s determination cemented a good opening period for the Hamlet that came within an ace of conjuring a goal as Kenny Beaney delivered a leftwing free kick into the near post where a spring heeled Chris Dickson met the ball only to volley wide of the upright.

McLeod too made his mark and might have considered himself lucky to escape with little more than a caution after a wild two footed challenge on Beaney, who might have exacted revenge popping the free kick on to the head of Nwanze only for the cross to be headed over.

Dulwich’s defence still looked vulnerable when tested, a weak pass from Plumain putting Dayes under pressure from Tanner who mugged the Hamlet defender for the ball, only to hit the floor as Dayes made a clumsy attempt to atone. A yellow card for the Hamlet man, though the stripe clad fans were screaming for the ultimate sanction. A haphazardly constructed wall almost proved fatal as Matt York swept the ball round its far edge only to miss the target by a fraction.

19 minutes and an excellently crafted goal saw the Hamlet draw first blood. At first it seemed as if Lewington had shanked his upfield clearance but a helping boot from David Moore on the wing saw the ball flicked over Tooting’s defence, pushed up almost to the halfway line and oblivious to the threat of Dickson until it was too late. Scampering away down the left, Diamond Dickson, so often the beneficiary, turned provider with the sweetest of crosses into the heart of the danger area where Jones was waiting poised to rise and nod the ball home.

From the restart, complacency almost cost Hamlet that hard gotten lead but Paul Vines continued the pattern of wasted chances for the Terrors, dragging a shot wide from a good position. The two sides sparred, chances at a premium until 29 minutes brought a scrappy equaliser. Amid a flurry of bodies in the Hamlet box, Dulwich failed to clear their lines despite a number of chances, an ungainly attempt at an overhead kick from Tanner eventually setting up Vines to stab the ball through a forest of legs into the far corner. The goal proved a rallying point for the hosts, Vines exploiting a gaping hole in the Hamlet rearguard mere moments later but stabbing the ball wide as Lewington bravely flung himself at his feet.

Weathering a torrent of monochrome attacks, Dulwich launched an attack against the tide as Beaney released Phil Williams goalwards, defenders trailing in his wake. It seemed a certain goal but an insipid finish allowed keeper Dave King to rescue his side, saving the shot low to his right. With half time fast approaching, Pinnock was again left cursing his luck as Tanner’s attempted strike from Barry Gardner was deflect into path but despite beating Lewington to the ball the striker could only head wide of the target. A clumsy foul once again set up York to try his luck with a free kick but, from 25 yards out, his effort was shovelled round the post by Lewington. In stoppage time Jones had the chance to add to his goal as David Moore flicked the ball into him but King was his equal, smartly off his line to gather.

Tooting started brightest after the break as Pinnock created the opportunity for Vernon Francis to stab an effort goalward only for Lewington to spot the shot on the line. The wake-up call had arrived for the Hamlet and Williams’ pace once again proved the undoing of the Terrors’ defence. Once more though the finish failed to live up to the anticipation, as King blocked the wingman’s shot with his legs. Next time the two would clash the Tooting custodian would not be so lucky as Williams charged down a McLeod clearance, racing clear on goal only to send sprawling on the left edge of area by King’s flailing hands. Up stepped Dickson to the spot, the ball calmly drilled into the bottom corner of the net despite King making a correct choice of where to dive.

Tooting rang the changes, first Findlay, then little and large strikers in the shape of much-travelled Simon Mitchell and reserve team graduate Henry Darko. In the meantime Beaney escaped with a mere yellow after an ill-judged lunge under the referee’s nose, past leniency surely influencing Mr Collins’ decision. Tooting coach Frank Coles was not as fortunate as his touchline blusterings drew the attention of the man in black and saw him confined to a seat in the stands for the rest of proceedings.

All Tooting’s effort seemed doomed to failure as, even when Hamlet’s defence wobbled, they could force a way through to the equaliser. Then salvation arrived courtesy of the eagle-eyes of an assistant referee, spotting a handball few in the ground, even those with black and white tinted spectacles, managed to pick up. McLeod’s centre struck a Hamlet defender amid a mêlée of players. Mere feet from the incident the referee saw naught but his assistant was flagging, earning a tirade from Stuart Hamlin who had ran to berate him, presumably incensed that a decision had been given against his side. That ire would soon dissolve in elation as a conference between the two officials ended with the award of a penalty kick, much to the chagrin of the nonplussed Hamlet. It was left to York to provide the coup de grace albeit sloppily as he rolled the spot kick wide of Lewington and in via the foot of the post.

Scenting victory Tooting were at the Hamlet’s collective throats, the livewire Darko at the heart of the onslaught. Shortly after Williams’ textbook tackle had ripped the ball off the toes of Findlay as he threatened to charge into the box, Darko nipped in behind the defence, dragging Lewington away from his line. Darko’s pull back seemed too deep, but the ball was headed but to Findlay who unleashed a seemingly unstoppable volley towards goal, unstoppable that is until Lewington redeemed himself with a flying save that had even the Terrors’ diehards behind the goal gasping in admiration, though diluted by frustration. Still the ball ran loose but stretching to a long cross to the back of the box Darko could only stab the ball into the side netting. Vines would waste a great opportunity with a rising drive that cleared the crossbar before both himself and the dangerous Darko had shots charged down in stoppage time before the final whistle brought a end to a derby, perhaps lacking the skill of a Merseyside or a Manchester, but equal in passion amongst the supplicants. Penalties proved significant this time, they may still do come the replay on Tuesday evening.

Teams:

T&MUFC: Dave King; Allan McLeod; Craig Tanner (Jamie Findlay 56); Adam Broomhead; Dean Hamlin; Aaron Day; Vernon Francis; Matt York; Paul Vines; Jason Pinnock (Simon Mitchell 60); Barry Gardner (Henry Darko 71)

Substitutes not used: Kevin Locke; Sheikh Ceesay (GK)

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Nicolas Plumain; Danny Moore; Daniel Nwanze (Capt.); Gavin Dayes; Lewis Tozer; David Moore (Eniola Oluwa 83); Kenny Beaney; Daniel Jones (Carlton Fairweather-Johnson 90); Chris Dickson (Sol Pinnock 83); Phil Williams

Substitutes not used: Cedric Meeko; Luke Cornwall

Attendance: 322

Officials:

Referee: Mr Lee Collins

Assistant Referees: Mr Andy Roberts & Mr Dave Moran

Goalscoring:

0-1 DHFC Daniel Jones 19th minute

1-1 T&MUFC Paul Vines 29th minute

1-2 DHFC Chris Dickson (Penalty) 55th minute

2-2 T&MUFC Matt York (Penalty) 81st minute