Walton Casuals 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Ryman Isthmian League Division One South
Saturday 18th August 2007

Father Thames in full torrent alongside Franklyn Road, hardy anglers enveloped in oilskins to shelter from natures inequities peeping from beneath in vain hope of a bite, but across the towpath, Craig Edwards was left bemoaning the one, nay two points, that got away as Walton Casuals made good from a goalkeeping error to snatch a share of the points in season’s opener.
When summer’s breeze and sunlight’s ease stroke across secluded Franklyn Road, the remote setting, the sparse crowd can be forgotten but as rain lashed across the field almost from the off, this can be a barren arena, even when a noisy band of travellers arrive in anticipation of new Hamlet era under the tutelage of a new regime. Wayne Burnett’s defection to the landlords is history; the players that followed in thrall to him now ply their trade in Fisher monochrome. The side that took the field at Walton belonged to Craig Edwards, moulded in his image, fine football interwoven with steely determination, or so the hardy Hamlet throng anticipated. Instead when a furious Hyde was expected a timid Jekyll appeared. First half Dulwich needed name badges, strangers to one another they seemed. More ruthless teams than the Casuals might have exploited that but pre-season promise seemed stillborn as the rain and wind played havoc with thoughts of pure football, Walton surely missing the talismanic Craig Carley.
Casuals enjoyed the possession, but foundered on the rocks of Hamlet’s defence, bandanaed Shayne Mangodza, a particular nemesis for the hosts’ attack. Greg Ball threatened early, Hamlet replied as Phil Williams held off Jermaine Hinds only to clip the ball wide out as Paul Smith sauntered from his line.
At times as stagnant as the ablutions in a back street dive, the huddled masses behind the goal had little to warm them. Daniel Morris showed his strength to brush off the attentions of his marker as the two went off in pursuit of a pass launched forwards, rifling a strike a fraction wide of the top corner, only to be penalised for something the eagle-eyed assistant referee spotted.
Having had the better of those scrappy opening 25 minutes, Casuals were gifted the opportunity to take the lead when Mangodza was penalised for a push on Josh Ambridge as the big defender attempted to connect with a corner. Anthony Gale's spot kick was executed to perfection Sheikh Ceesay sent diving towards his right hand post as the ball was hammered firmly to his left.
Hamlet hit back with their best move so far as Morris was released on the left wing, his ball into Shawn Beveney neatly flicked into the path of Stanley Muguo but agonisingly too far in front of the marauding striker.
Ten minutes later the young Hamlet custodian had to be at his very best to keep out a thumping diving header from Ball, reacting smartly to stretch out a hand and keep a powerful effort from his goal. Casuals’ David Ocquaye also went close but Hamlet went in at the break, lamenting the wasted opportunity of a free kick a yard outside the penalty box, Benson Kpaka slamming a drive into the wall.
If a timid Dulwich had sloped off the pitch at half time, what emerged from the dressing rooms might have been a whole new XI such was their uplifted spirit. Ball was denied early by Ceesay but the stampeding Pink and Blue herd, hungry for goals, was soon gnawing at the Casuals defensive lines.
Having seen a close range chance dabbled past the upright as Pink and Blue shirts swamped the hosts’ penalty area, from the resultant corner Dulwich's renewed vigour earned them an equaliser. Powering like a Chieftain tank through the massed ranks of Amber shirts, Mangodza brushed aside the Stags' rearguard to bullet a header firmly down past a statuesque Paul Smith in the home goal.
The tide had turned, downbeat Dulwich now defiant. 69 minutes and the ball was worked out to Phil Williams on the left, the tricky winger resisting the close attentions of defender Max Hustwick, keeping him at bay as he set his sights on goal, neatly arrowing the ball through the legs of the onrushing Smith and into the net.
The Casuals redoubled their efforts but time seemed to be running out when substitute Grant Keywood won a corner though Dulwich were still fuming at a free kick decision back in the Casuals half from which the Stags hared forwards. Skipper Scott Harris' delivery was nothing out of the ordinary but coming to collect Ceesay somehow allowed the ball to squirm through his fingers and into the net. The Amber Army celebrated as if the title had been clinched; Harris removed his shirt and waved it as if he had a flag bearer of a Sienan Contrada. Unfortunately for him it also earned him a yellow card, his second of the afternoon, but he left the field with a smile on his face, something that melted into a grimace as he caught the eye of his furious father, Casuals’ supremo Kim Harris.

Teams:
WCFC: Paul Smith; Jermaine Hinds; Anthony Gale; Youseff Metwali (Michael Cayford ?); John Ambridge; Max Hustwick; Craig Lewington; Sol Patterson Bohner (Billy Rowley); Greg Ball; Scott Harris; Dave Ocquaye (Grant Keywood)
Substitutes not used: James Crowe; Andrew Watt.

DHFC: Sheikh Ceesay; Harry Vitalien; Ricky Dobson; Benson Kpaka; Shayne Mangodza; Helder Valdez; Shawn Beveney; Veli Hakki; Daniel Morris (Anton Innocent 67); Stanley Muguo; Phil Williams
Substitutes not used: Stuart Booth; Craig Braham; Cedric Meeko; Mazin Ahmad; Nas Hussain (GK)

Attendance 103

Officials:
Referee: Mr John Scott
Assistant Referees: Mr Shaun Scott & Mr Barrie Lynch