Paris Saint Germain Supporters 2 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 2
International Challenge Match
Saturday 27th January 2007
A hardy band of Dulwich supporters forsook the delights of East Molesey Saturday last as they made their way into France to take on their counterparts from Paris St Germain. The modern British Expeditionary Force, Old Contempibles in Pink and Blue, have long fostered the Entente Cordiale, this their second trip to the French capital having already beaten les supporteurs of Red Star Paris on their previous sortie across the Channel. This time though victory would elude them as the sides traded goals, the net rippling four times in quick succession late in the game. After a tight first half, bereft of goals though not of chances, Dulwich were first to find the net as their very own wizard of the dribble, Chris Garrett, had the opposition spellbound as he collected the ball in his own half, a meandering run leaving defenders in his wake as he drove towards the box. Out came the keeper but the surefooted Garrett, ice in his veins, coolly sidestepped the prostrate custodian before tucking the ball in the now unguarded net. PSG were level in an instant though, a carelessly conceded free kick on the edge of the penalty area and a fearsome strike sent the ball flashing in the net as keeper Matt Hammond stretched in a vain attempt to claw the ball out from the underbelly of the bar.
Unrattled Hamlet regained the lead when a half-cleared free kick fell at the feet of Paul Griffin. An angled pass was delivered towards Damon Green loitering at the edge of the area, only to be intercepted by a defender to poke across his own goal. As defenders dithered Lawrence Marsh leapt on the ball as a leopard might pounce upon a wounded gazelle, stabbing the ball under the irate gardien du but. A storm of Gallic invective rained down upon the keeper's lackadaisical defenders, breathing in a fire that would push the hosts once again to an equaliser. Heartbreak for the Hamlet came late on as a ball in behind the defence found a PSG shirt in space, suspiciously offside, but protests went unheeded and a fierce strike on the volley ensured egalitié en fin.
Team: Matt Hammond, Chris Garrett, Phil Baker, Lawrence Marsh, Lucas Green, Jack McInroy, Robbie McLintock, Phil Doyle, Ferenc Morath, Steve Rickerby, Damon Green
Substitutes used: Paul Griffin, Mishi D Morath, Mark Hutton, Ian Wright, Mick O'Shaughnessy
