Dulwich Hamlet 2 Eastbourne Town 1

Dulwich Hamlet 2 Eastbourne Town 1
Ryman Isthmian Division One South
Saturday 16th August 2008

Before kick-off a moving ceremony as the ashes of much-missed supporter Brian Weber were laid to rest beneath the Champion Hill turf, the plaintiff strains of Acker Bilk’s Stranger on the Shore drifting across the ground as supporters of all persuasions stood in reverent silence. And from his permanent vantage point behind the goal, Brian had the perfect view of the goals that would decide this tumultuous match, a typical groan might have emanated from beneath the sward as belligerent Eastbourne Town took an early lead in inelegant fashion as Jamie Lunan somehow allowed a scrambled Peter Cooper effort under his body. But second half brought renewed vigour from the Hamlet, pugilistic inspiration from the manager during the break, an inspirational change and Dulwich sprung into life with a goal fashioned in England but finished with true Gallic flair and punch from debutant Laurent Hamici, before, in stirring style, Dulwich’s Churchillian skipper Ryan Bernard larruped home a second to turn deficit into advantage. That victory might still have been surrendered but a harshly awarded penalty gave Lunan the chance of redemption, an opportunity he eagerly clasped as he dived full length to batter out substitute John Piercy’s well struck spot kick.
Ming the Merciless might have begrudged the summer, for having seen his charges finish the last campaign at the gallop, the close season, no matter how truncated it is in the era of 24/7, 365 football, meant that counted for naught as a new term began in earnest. The curse of Player of the Year had struck once more as Supporters’ choice, Meshach Nugent agonised before taking the tough decision to leave Champion Hill for Maidstone United whilst the Players’ pick, Benson Paka, the bull of the midfield pampas, finds himself person non grata. Missing too was the star in the striking firmament of last season’s closing acts, Charlie Taylor. Mr Edwards moves fast though, the fiery Gaul, Hamici paired with Walid Matata, a goalscorer supreme across the Kent Weald who now returns to his London roots. Also making his first full appearance for the Hamlet after personal circumstances had delayed his debut last campaign was Alex Fiddes, diminutive, greying at the temples, and a dead ringer for Mike the Cool Guy of Young Ones fame!
Whilst Hamlet flourished late, just too late, last term Eastbourne had struggled at the wrong end of the table, despite playing some of the more entertaining football in this division before breaking free of the relegation quicksand in the season’s end game. key players had been tempted away during the summer, Adam Wilde, tricky, pacy winger, off to Sutton United, disgruntled ‘keeper Greg Nessling usurped between the sticks by Russell Tanner, but this is a solid squad built of the blocks that won promotion to the Isthmian League, looking well fed alongside some of Dulwich’s more spindly individuals.
The expectation that crackled through the Pink and Blue contingent as the first whistle drew ever nearer was soon dampened as Eastbourne set of at a canter. Second minute and skipper Greg Manton was allowed to drift off his marker to flick on a free kick with a brush of the forehead, but direction and power provided little test for Lunan. He might though have had harsh words for his rearguard mere moments later when the ball was delivered into path of Jamie Salvidge, thundering through, a cracking drive beating the exposed custodian but sizzling a few feet too high of the crossbar. Dulwich forced a corner, Tanner thumping clear but only to Steve May who scuffed the ball back into the heart of the penalty area, Rob Wilkinson stabbing the ball goalwards at the back of the box only for Tanner to smother the life from the shot at the base of his upright.
A brief aberration as Eastbourne sprung back like a wounded cobra and had the lead on 11 minutes though Dulwich’s dismal defending played too great a role in the goal. Luke Denton unleashed the catapult, bombarding the box with an elongated throw that the defence failed to deal with. In an ungainly scramble in the six yard box Cooper got the decisive touch, the ball somehow creeping under a crestfallen Lunan’s body. Matters might have deteriorated further on the quarter hour but for a last-ditch tackle from Bernard, thrusting out a foot to block Cooper’s effort as the Town man dived in to meet a low left wing cross.
Frustration was building in Dulwich hearts, almost reaching boiling point when the Gallic blood of Hamici overtook his reason, an airborne challenge on Chris Dicker raising the spectre of a red card under FIFA’s edict of the week. Thankfully for Dulwich, the afternoon’s whistler belonged to the old school of refereeing; a school many thought had been lost with the beat bobby who would administer justice with a firm word and click round rather than a forest-decimating ream of paperwork. Mr Smith employed a schoolmasterly word, a booking, no more, no less. One fears though for the careers of those who referee with words and respect not rules and reds.
Luckless Daryl Plummer might well have found an equaliser twice within a trice but officialdom denied him. Sneaking in behind the defence to meet a long punt weakly flicked back in the direction of his ‘keeper by Eastbourne’s centre-half, Plummer almost nicked the ball past an onrushing Tanner but a offside flag was already up. Then he had the ball in the net as a long free kick dropped to him at the back of the box but teammate Billy Chattaway had already been penalised for pushing amidst the crowd awaiting delivery.
Despite a pre-match fitness test, newcomer Matata had clearly been struggling to keep the pace and on the half hour Dulwich were forced into a change with Scott Simpson unleashed upon the yellow-clad defence, injecting much needed dose of venom into the attack. It might have been that he would lose his strike partner Hamici when the Frenchman clashed with Eastbourne centre-half Ben Putland, a trifle petulant with a shoulder to shoulder charge upon the much larger man. Putland’s uncalled for response was to collapse to the floor holding his face in theatrical style, something that was obviously noted by Mr Smith for the feared second caution was not forthcoming. Once more a word of advice sufficed though Putland’s artifice seemingly went unpunished at the time, though his failure to get his tormentor dismissed from the field of play would return to haunt him later.
Having struggled to find rhythm and penetration Dulwich were now in command, looking desperately for that equaliser. Simpson’s zippy run took to the very brink of the box only to be strong-armed off the ball by Adam Davidson who refused to give up the chase. Form close range Wilkinson’s drive was blocked by a diving Tanner, before Plummer was once more caught offside as he nipped in to meet a long punt flicked on by his skipper.
Stirring words from the management at the break, a change in midfield with Wilkinson making way for Tyran James, the winger returning to his Champion Hill taking the right mantle of Grey Owl Fiddes, who moved into the engine room of midfield. It was a change that swiftly paid dividends as Dulwich scored the equaliser after seven minutes of the new half with an expertly crafted goal, finished with aplomb by the rampant Hamici. Plummer’s pinpoint pass released Chattaway overlapping down the left wing and in full flight past the yellow opposite. A pass picked out Hamici lurking beyond the bounds of the box and if Eastbourne expected the Hamlet hitman to bring the ball to them, they were in for an almighty shock as with the crack of a bullet the ball flew from the boot of Hamici, unerring, unwavering, straight in the far corner of net, leaving Tanner rooted, helpless as the net rippled behind him.
Hamlet had the fire now and came within a micron of a second goal before Eastbourne had a chance to draw breath; Plummer’s cross from the flank flicked on in the middle but volleyed a fraction too high from James standing on the far corner of the six yard box. It began Dulwich versus Tanner as he got down smartly to smoother a low curling drive from Plummer before pulling off a breathtaking reaction save from Simpson after he had swayed a defender’s close attentions. To disappointed gasps Simpson flicked a close range header over the bar in the next instant as Hamlet squeezed the tourniquet.
The Captain’s Call and 68 minutes brought the winner. Chaos caused in the visitors’ defence, defending too deeply as a corner was swung in. Amidst the mêlée Tanner made yet another save of quality amongst a flurry of feet but he should no chance as Bernard latched on the loose ball to larrup the ball through the legs of Tanner.
Eastbourne responded with replacements of their own, recharging their batteries and threatened to wipe out Hamlet’s hard-won advantage. An uncontested drop ball after Plummer had been bulldozed by Putland might have created an interesting dilemma had Denton’s booming drop kick not been safely gathered in by Lunan as it threatened to clear him. Having had a rest for a while Lunan was back in the thick of the action as from a corner Manton’s wickedly deflected effort seemed set to crawl over him until the big custodian stretched full out to claw the ball over the bar. Then Eastbourne were thrown a lifeline as a cross from the right struck Bernard as he leapt into its path, a hopeful cry from the yellow hoard, no more but the assistant referee felt a penalty was merited, drawing his flag across his chest as a judge might don the black cap. Protests came to naught, Mr Smith pointed to the spot and high noon at Hamlet as Piercy placed the ball, Frank Miller to Lunan’s Marshall Will Kane. Justice would prevail as Piercy drove for the bottom left-hand corner; Lunan outfoxed him and battered the ball away at the base of the post. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
The fighting spirit of the Town drained from them though Dulwich still feared more raids, going marauding is search of goals that would cushion their advantage and secure victory. The overworked Tanner, man of the match for Town, made two stupendous saves within a blink of the eye, denying James twice with an outstretched foot before getting his body behind a crisp strike from Simpson after Plummer and Chattaway had teamed up once more on the left. The need to preserve the lead meant such fanciful football made way for pragmatic possession, Dulwich toying with their guests deep in the corners as the clock was run down to victory.

Teams:
DHFC: Jamie Lunan, Steve May, Billy Chattaway, Robert Wilkinson (Tyran James HT), Ryan Bernard (Capt), Marc Cumberbatch, Alex Fiddes, Stanley Muguo, Laurent Hamici, Walid Matata (Scott Simpson 30), Daryl Plummer (Fasineh Koroma 90)
Substitutes not used: Junior Kaffo, Danny Baldwinson (GK)

ETFC: Russell Tanner, Adam Davidson (Nick Barden 70), Chris Dicker, Luke Denton, Ben Putland, Peter Featherstone, Mark Goodwin, Greg Manton (Capt), Jamie Salvidge, Peter Cooper, Simon Catt (John Piercy 70)
Substitutes not used: Charlie Francis, Sheldon Levett

Scoring:
1-0 ETFC Peter Cooper 11th Minute
1-1 DHFC Laurent Hamici 52nd minute
2-1 DHFC Ryan Bernard 68th minute

Officials:
Referee: Mr Robert Smith (New Addington, Surrey)
Assistant Referees: Mr Andrew Mawby (Woking, Surrey) & Mr Rod Chatfield (Addlestone, Surrey)

Attendance: 215