Dulwich Hamlet 3 Hastings United 3

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 10^th February 2007

Perhaps it was the sight of the Dulwich Hamlet jersey, but for some reason the Jehovah's Witnesses plying their thankless vigil outside the train station chose not to ignore me as usual on this grey, dank morning but instead thrust into an unwilling hand a short pamphlet. Their strange vision of heaven, a pseudo American midweek where the deer and the antelope roam, smiling clear-cut student types feast on apples and pumpkins, and the poppies grow plentifully presumably in order to provide something to relieve the boredom of niceness was lost on this poor hack, the devil can come a-calling as long as there is tobacco and a frothing mug of ale in the underworld. However the headline did catch the eye. "All Suffering SOON TO END!, it roared. Hah, those who claim the Almighty as omniscient would find that dogma sorely tested by a stint on the terraces of Champion Hill, for whose habitués pleasure and pain are inextricably entwined.

The visit of Hastings, galloping through the field to sit level with the Hamlet in all but goals, would prove that in abundance. Dulwich, three goals to the good, imperious in their domination, had friend and foe purring in admiration but from dancing like Sugar Ray Leonard they soon found themselves tottering against the ropes like last week's British heavyweight hopeful. First half goals from Chris Dickson and Lewis Tozer, the former a stunning dipping drive, the latter an ungainly bundle home from a corner were augmented by a sweet strike from Mazin Ahmad, his third in as many games. But then the South Coast boys decided to derail the Hamlet express as first one goal, then another, and finally deep, deep in stoppage time, a third denied the Hamlet a return to the top of the table.

A dismal defeat at Burgess Hill might have called for a wholesale cull from manager Wayne Burnett, whose pained and pensive figure had paced the Leylands Park pitch at the end of that reverse but the few changes had more to do with circumstance than tinkering. Justyn Roberts returned from the lodgers having been one of a number of victims of a purge by the Fishes management whilst Kenny Beaney made the short journey in the opposite directions the midfield reins passed to Serge Musungu making his first start of the season after a painfully long struggle with injury. On the back of four wins the visitors only major change was enforced as Ade Olorunda's nap hand of cautions saw him kicking his heels on the sidelines, though there was the worrying sight of Rhys Whyborne, whose inspirational defending had helped snuff out a Hamlet fightback in the reverse fixture at the Pilot Field.

The refreshing philosophies of both managers meant a lip smacking encounter was promised and the hungry fans were not to be denied their feast. Barely had the first died on the breeze than Dulwich might have taken an instant lead. Slick passing, a delicate lobbed pass from the returning Musungu beyond Kevin Rose finding Mazin Ahmad. Lee Worgan found himself committed; all at sea as Ahmad stabbed the ball towards goal but salvation for the United keeper lay in the figure of talismanic skipper Sean Ray, who somehow got back to sweep the ball off the goal line.

The action swung to the other end and it took a stunning price of goalkeeping from Simon Overland to preserve parity. On three minutes Russell Eldridge neatly delivered a set piece into the heart of the Hamlet penalty area, precisely locating the head of John Bradley, replacing the suspended Olorunda, the stand-in denied as Overland somehow found the elasticity to stretch and divert the ball past his lefty hand upright.

The high tempo encounter claimed its first casualty after just nine minutes as a crunching tackle left Gavin Dayes clutching his left knee in agony, limping off to be replaced by Phil Williams. Chalk and cheese the two players styles might be but Dulwich lost not of their momentum as Williams slipped seamlessly into the engine room, relishing the chance to run at the opposition ranged ahead of him, one meandering move threatening a special end but halted on the edge of the area. Moments later and Dulwich found exposed Overland out smartly on batter away an effort from Bradley who had somehow slipped the bonds of his marker. His opposite number soon topped that was a breathtaking save to keep out a fire breathing drive from the boot of Chris Dickson.

Back and forth the game flowed, a torrent of football as both sides cast caution to the winds. Dan Williams chanced his arm from long range but too high. Eldridge got on the end of a head-seeking cross from James Sims but could only find the hands of Overland. From one goal to the other, Williams turned on the gas with an incursion into the left of the area followed by a pull back across the six yard box. An almighty scramble saw Dickson's first effort caught under the feet of a prostrate Worgan. The hamlet hitman latched on to the loose ball, created space for himself but again Worgan denied him, hooking the ball away at the last. The master marksman of Champion Hill would not have to wait long before Worgan would finally be beaten, the long wait for the goal more than justified by a stunning effort that had the fans salivating. Simple build-up followed by spectacular finish, Roberts launching the ball out of defence, Leigh Bremner winning an aerial battle to nod the ball into the path of Dickson, the striker taking a few steps then unleashing a dipping, swerving drive that danced in the air as Worgan flung himself in vain to keep the ball from his net. The fates conspired to deny Dickson an equally dazzling number two just minutes later as he collected Jamie Coyle's slipped pass, left a brace of defenders in his wake and let rip with a sizzling shot that had beat a powerless Worgan only to hammer back down from the underbelly of the crossbar and away. One might have a long wait for a bus on Dog Kennel Hill but on the green sward of Champion Hill one could almost timetable the goals. Having missed one a second Hamlet strike would arrive shortly afterwards, albeit a slightly less extravagant fashion. The Hastings defence was lost at sea as Ahmad swung the ball into the six yard box, Lewis Tozer's ungainly bundle home scoring low on style marks but high on import.

A hooked effort from distance by Lee Carey failed to trouble Overland as it dropped wide of his right hand post, a brief aberration in the Dulwich dominance. The god of the penalty kick turned his face once more from Dulwich as Musungu was first to low a Bremner cross from the right, only to sent tumbling by the challenge of Tim Olorunda but with the men in Pink and Blue once more on song could there be anything but one result this afternoon?

Drastic measures from Hastings supremo Nigel Kane, pulling off a brace of players at the break, Kevin Rose withdraw from the rearguard to be replaced by the returning Whyborne whilst Eldridge making way fro Danny Ellis. The defence seemed tighter but still it was Hamlet launching wave upon wave of attacks. Almost from the restart Dickson burst into the box only to be smothered by defenders, Williams suffering a similar fate as he run on to Ahmad's slipped pass. Olorunda tried illicit methods of stalling the rampant Hamlet, a heavy challenge on Ahmad halting yet another incisive run but earning him the afternoon's first caution.

Perhaps it was the constant pressure from the marauders Hamlet assassins but Whyborne brief cameo would soon pass, his injury flaring up once more and forcing the visitors into their final substitution with still half an hour to play.

As Hastings were once more reshuffling Dulwich almost exploited this as Shawn Beveney set out on a breakneck charge from his own half of the field before slipping the ball left to Bremner. His effort was blocked but the ball ran to Ahmad, silky skills seemed to have unlocked the door but Worgan slammed it in his face twice blocking from close range. Ahmad though would have his revenge. 64 minutes on the clock and the determined winger found himself the recipient of Musungu's excellent crossfield pass, the defence opening up ahead of him, Worgan perhaps leaving too much space at his near post and well beaten as Ahmad's low drive swung away from his desperate dive.

The points seemed secure but Hastings had other ideas. Taking control of midfield, they cast caution aside and laid into the Hamlet with gay abandon but not before Dulwich had the chance to further extend the lead only for Dickson to volley over the bar from close range after meeting Coyle's cross. Two minutes by and Hastings found themselves thrown a lifeline, aided and abetted by Coyle's weak defensive header from an innocuous Lee Carey cross. The ball dropped kindly for substitute Ellis, anonymous until now, but feted as he hammered the loose ball low into the corner of the net.

Twice Dulwich had chances to restore the three goal cushion, Coyle flashing a free kick across the face of goal, Bremner unable to connect before Williams lasered his way through the yellow hoards, but could not add the final flourish as Worgan got his hands to the eventual shot. This move proved the finale for Williams, a fusillade of applause marking his exit as young David Milton entered the fray in his stead. As Milton was taking his place, the Hamlet defence were almost breached once more as Ellis's dancing feet took him past a couple of attempted tackles and saw man on man with Overland, the big custodian coming out on top with a smart block. A quick break out from the resultant corner. Could Dulwich seal it? Dickson fed Bremner but Worgan came to the rescue once more with a fine save.

Thick and fast the chances came. Sam Adams drilled an angled shot fractionally over the bar, before turning provider for James Sims, up from defence, but the chance evaporated as a shot was slashed wide of the near post with the goal begging. Worgan again denied Bremner with an excellent save from a shot on the turn, as the visitors went dozed off at a quickly taken free kick.

Three minutes left and cramp claimed Dickson, Daniel Jones his replacement. Mere seconds remained of normal time. Surely a two goal mountain would too much for Hastings to climb? Throwing all hands forward, yellow shirts swarmed into the Hamlet area as Olorunda drilled in a low cross from the right. Amidst the mêlée, Adams and Ellis chanced their arm (and the odd hand if eyewitness reports are accurate) but heroic blocking denied them. Three times a charm though and Bradley benefited as the ball looped up towards him the ball nodded into an unguarded net.

Yet another Dulwich breakaway ended in failure as Musungu surged away on the left wing, rifling a cross towards Bremner at the far post, only the intervention of Ray denied the striker a shot on goal. The stage though was set for one last big push from the visitors. Stoppage time was four minutes old when a corner was won in questionable circumstances as the assistant referee, seemingly signalled a Hastings player offside, raised then lowered his flag in quick succession. Even ‘keeper Worgan was up for the corner kick but it was poor, Hamlet cleared to Jones on the sidelines but he found himself mugged by Adams. A neatly weighted cross ensued, Overland tempted from his line for cross but beaten to the ball by Dan Williams. Bradley picked up the loose ball, kept a cool head, resisting the temptation to try for glory himself and instead passed the honour and the ball to his leader, Ray, who tucked the ball home to shatter Hamlet hearts. Unbelievably that gaol sent the centre-half into double figures for the current term. With Hamlet rocking, Hastings came with a whisker of snatching all three points a farcical scenario less than a quarter hour previous but when Adams unleashed a furious drive which grazed the bar from all of 35 yards, the visiting fans were already in wonderland. Likewise those of the Hamlet but for them the wonderment was not born of joy.

Teams:

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Gavin Dayes (Phil Williams 11 (David Milton 76)); Justyn Roberts; Jamie Coyle (Capt); Lewis Tozer; Shawn Beveney; Serge Musungu; Leigh Bremner; Chris Dickson (Daniel Jones 87); Mazin Ahmad

Substitutes not used: Matt Dean; Billy Manners

HUFC: Lee Worgan; James Sims; Jimmy Elford; Kevin Rose (Rhys Whyborne HT Danny Spice 60)); Sean Ray (Capt.); Dan Williams; Lee Carey; Tim Olorunda; John Bradley; Sam Adams; Russell Eldridge (Danny Ellis HT)

Substitutes not used: Brett Griffin; Bernard Asante

Attendance 404

Referee: Mr Robert Smith (New Addington)

Assistants Referees: Mr Martin Lehane (Bexleyheath) & Mr Guy Marley (Bexleyheath)

Goalscoring:

1-0 DHFC Chris Dickson 27^th minute

2-0 DHFC Lewis Tozer 33^rd minute

3-0 DHFC Mazin Ahmad 64^th minute

3-1 HUFC Danny Ellis 72^nd minute

3-2 HUFC John Bradley 89^th minute

3-3 HUFC Sean Ray 90^th minute (4^th minute of stoppage time)

Burgess Hill Town 3 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 3^rd February 2007

The Full English laid before the football hungry fans of Leylands Park, sizzling rashers of goals, goals, goals, meaty morsels of winch-inducing tackles, all topped off with steaming dollops of controversy in the shape of disallowed "goals", contentious penalty decisions and flurry of cards all brandished at a host side desperate wipe away a long barren spell, triumphless since late November last. Fine fare indeed for the ravenous neutral but the promotion famished travelling fans of the Hamlet, a sixth game away from fortress Champion Hill and still just a single point in return for their heroes' efforts. For the Full English they would happily have substituted nouvelle cuisine, less substantial in the tasting but more aesthetic to the eye, all topped with the final flourish of victory. Instead they were served haute cuisine prepared by a McDonald's burger flipper.

This was afternoon frustrating in the extreme as Dulwich were knocked from their perch at the top of Division One South. In defeat they handed the baton of leadership to Dover Athletic whose 3-0 victory at Kent rivals Ashford Town allowed them to leapfrog the Hamlet into top spot. However the battle for the championship remains one of the tightest ever with a blanket of a single victory thrown over half-a-dozen, whilst the likes of Leatherhead, Tooting and Cray all wait in the wings to pounce should clubs falter.

Enforced changes for the Hamlet as suspensions robbed Wayne Burnett of both Nicolas Plumain and Cedric Meeko both out for a trio of games. The treatment room brought better news though with both Leigh Bremner, mugged out of the game on Corinthian fields, and Lewis Tozer, whose appearance in Pink and Blue saw him wheeled from the Champion Hill arena unconscious on a stretcher. Back too, for his first start since the Dover demolition, was sharpshooter supreme Chris Dickson.

Dickson was soon in the fray, charging forwards in pursuit of a long ball forward, only for rangy Burgess Hill custodian to beat him in the chase. However his header was gathered by Bremner but despite gathering the ball well, his strike was off the mark, hammering into the hoardings behind the goal. A minute later and Tozer's cushioned a header into the path of Bremner but again his compass was off as the ball was volleyed over.

Winless since late November and coming into this game on the back of five straight defeats, the hosts might not have been the bookies' favourites but they received an almighty helping hand from the fates when Dulwich had a seemingly legitimate "goal" chalked off after 11 minutes as Leigh Bremner buried the ball in the net after brushing aside his marker to run on to Chris Dickson's slipped pass. At first referee Mr S Lewis awarded a goal but then his attention was drawn to his assistant vigorously flagging for some offence unseen by all but himself. Consultation between the officials and the goal was invalidated. This body blow was quickly added too as the Hillians grabbed the lead with their first attack of note barely 90 seconds later. The ball, won on the left wing, eventually made its way via the feet of the experience Geoff Pitcher and regular goalscorer Ashley Jarvis into the path of Dan Turner who squirreled his way into the Hamlet penalty area before unleashing a cracking strike that sneaked inside Simon Overland's right-hand post as the giant custodian leapt across his goal in a vain effort to keep the shot out. Seven minutes later and disaster struck once more as an Overland cleared was head back towards the Hamlet goal, Gavin Dayes missed the intercept and Jarvis was left free to run in on goal. Overland attempted to narrow the angle but to no avail, number 13 of the season for the Hillians main marksman as the ball was casually slipped home.

A lifeline was thrown in the direction of the Hamlet within three minutes as Mazin Ahmad produced an individual goal of the sweetest variety, weaving his way in from the left touchline, yellow shirts waved in surrender as he swept past before pulling the trigger and hammering a low drive into the bottom corner of ‘keeper André Foster's net. Barely a quarter of the match gone and Dulwich were back in it. Not long after and the wiry Foster was somehow keeping out Shawn Beveney's strike from the edge of the area as stretched out a spidery leg to divert the ball past the base of his far upright. However Hamlet might well have slid further adrift had Turner not blazed horribly high and wide after Dayes had lost his footing leaving the young striker with the goal at his mercy.

With the clock ticking away, a scramble in the Burgess Hill six yard box gave Dickson a chance to kick-start his scoring spree but he hammered the ball over from close range. Then inexplicably in the first minute of stoppage time, Ahmad handled the ball in his own penalty area as the Hamlet defended a corner and the resultant penalty gave skipper Shaun Grice the chance to restore his side's cushion, one he took with aplomb sending Overland the wrong way.

Barely had the players emerged from the dressing room and Dulwich were offered the chance to shave the gap once more, as amidst a penalty box mêlée, the assistant linesman spotted a yellow shirted hand pushing away the ball. Up stepped Dickson and the ball was despatched ruthlessly to set the stage for a rambunctious second half, full of fire and fury, but much to the frustration of the Hamlet bereft of goals. Mere minutes after the goal, Dickson again threatened as a quick of quick injection of pace allowed him to reach a long ball forward before the closing defenders but his volley cleared Foster's crossbar.

Young David Milton was replaced by the wise old head of Serge Musungu, up against one of his former clubs. One of his first touches set in motion a cracking move that saw Ahmad denied by a fine covering tackle from Champion Hill nemesis Kevin Joyce on the fringes of the six yard box. Ahmad kept the ball in play, setting up Dickson to hammer a fierce cross shot across the face of goal, one that a leaping Beveney was mere millimetres away from connecting with a header. A second disallowed goal for the Hamlet on 63 minutes as skipper Jamie Coyle scrambled the ball home at the back stick, though in a less than legitimate manner, at least in the eyes of the assistant referee.

A last ditch tackle of the illegitimate kind as Bremner was unceremoniously brought to ground on the edge of the penalty area brought Hamlet a free kick and an unrepentant Paul Clarke a caution but the opportunity was wasted as Kenny Beaney curled the ball over the crossbar. For Beaney, an uncharacteristically uninfluential performance marked possibly his last game in Pink and Blue for as the Call of the Fishes sees him join the Champion Hill lodgers on a month's loan this week.

With time swiftly evaporating a free kick found Tozer unmarked 15 yards from goal, a fierce strike on the volley too close though to Foster, the tall ‘keeper knocked back by the recoil but still battering the shot away. A brace of bookings for Joe Bye in stoppage time, both for fouls on fellow replacement Phil Williams, though the second more for the intention than the impact, Williams having wisely taken evasive action, saw the Hillians' substitute given his marching orders. Time though was the Hamlet's greatest foe, too many passes sent astray, and points had slipped from their grasp.

Teams:

BHFC: André Foster; Neil Watts; Lloyd Cotton; Paul Clarke; Kevin Joyce; Owen Hill (Joe Bye 75); Shaun Grice; Geoff Pitcher (Nick Fogden 45); Dan Turner (Adam Pullin 90); Ashley Jarvis; Matt Piper

Substitutes not used: Jake Philpot, Aaron Stenning

Cautions: Dan Turner (Unsporting Conduct 38), Neil Watts (Unsporting Conduct 52), Paul Clarke (Foul 83), Joe Bye (Foul 90+1, Foul 90+2)

Dismissals: Joe Bye (Second Cautionable Offence)

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Lewis Tozer; Shawn Beveney; Jamie Coyle; Gavin Dayes; David Milton (Serge Musungu 60); Kenny Beaney; Leigh Bremner; Chris Dickson; Mazin Ahmad (Phil Williams 82)

Substitutes not used: Sol Pinnock; Matt Dean; Billy Manners

Attendance: 185

Officials:

Referee: Mr S Lewis

Assistant Referees: Mr C Phillips & Mr S Potter

Goalscoring:

1-0 BHTFC Dan Turner 12^th minute

2-0 BHTFC Ashley Jarvis 19^th minute

2-1 DHFC Mazin Ahmad 22^nd minute

3-1 BHTFC Shaun Grice (Penalty) 45^th minute

3-2 DHFC Chris Dickson (Penalty) 46^th minute

Paris Saint Germain Supporters 2 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 2

International Challenge Match

Saturday 27^th 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

Paris Saint Germain Supporters 2 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 2

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

Dulwich Hamlet 3 Sittingbourne 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 20^th January 2007

Dulwich may owe a debt of thanks to the Cuba defence for this morale-boosting victory for had Fidel's footballers not kept out the Guyanese strike force Dulwich would surely have been unable to call upon two-goal Shawn Beveney to lead the way as the Brickies were dispatched in the cauldron of Champion Hill. Despite the much-need victory which allowed the Hamlet to keep their noses just in front of the chasing pack, this victory will be overshadowed by a serious injury to centre-half Lewis Tozer, stretchered motionless from the pitch just 7 minutes into the game, and the late double dismissal that saw both Cedric Meeko and Nicolas Plumain shown red cards in stoppage time at the end of the game as Mark Lovell's petulant foul on the rampaging Meeko sparked a furious free-for-all cast a pall over all that had gone before.

Though Beveney had winged his way in from Caribbean climes to add his muscle to the Hamlet promotion push, Dulwich were still without the injured Chris Dickson, whilst the call of the Fishes claimed Justyn Roberts in defence. The Corinthian-Casuals debacle too claimed its victims with both David Moore and Phil Williams dropped from the match day squad. Into the starting line-up from their debuts came the latest Hamlet prodigy, young David Milton, making his full debut alongside the electric Mazin Ahmad, naturally left-footed and a rare spark of invention when last Hamlet eyes were cast upon him adorned in a Kingstonian shirt. Slipping away from the promotion pack the Brickies came to Champion Hill looking to relight the promotion flame, but illness, injury and suspension conspired to rip the heart from their preferred XI. Leading scorer Andy Doerr's broken leg had long since ruled him out, flu claimed, the treatment room the only venue for James Campbell and Jon Neal whilst key defender Steve Searle sat this one out banned.

Hamlet started well, determined to consign the dismal defeat of week early to Corinthian-Casuals to the dustbin of history, but the loss of Tozer and the subsequent reshuffle gave Sittingbourne a glimpse of hope, skipper Paul Ainsworth meeting a throw catapulted into the penalty area, only to see a powerful head strike the crossbar's uppers. 17 minutes in and the returning Shawn Beveney, hot foot from the airport, was flying again as he rose majestically on the edge of the six yard box to bullet Jamie Coyle's pinpoint cross past a static Steve Williams. The keepers were kept busy in an entertaining, if bruising, first half as both Sol Pinnock and debutant left winger Mazin Ahmad both went into referee Mr Lugg's little black book. Cautioned earlier for the visitors Anthony Hogg, felling opposite number Kenny Beaney with an elbow, though that offence now seems to have been down graded to a mere yellow.

The lively young debutant Milton made his mark with some tricky play out on the right and he was seriously unlucky not to mark the occasion with at least a goal. Cutting in from the right wing he unleashed a drive that zipped along the ground as Williams struggled to fling himself across but much to his relief the ball bounced a foot wide of his left hand upright. The ‘Bourne number one was again in the action when Ahmad's astute pass was latched on to by Milton, Williams flinging himself at the youngster's feet and favoured by the bounce, clutching the ball at the second attempt as it bobbled away from Milton. Tozer's misfortune meant an eternity of stoppage time, enlivened first by chances then illuminated by a goal that bought pain and pleasure in the same instant. First Simon Overland produced a fine double save, blocking a fierce strike from the edge of the area by Ainsworth following a corner, before battering down Anthony Hogg's attempt to convert the rebound. Not long after and Kenny Beaney let fly from distance, Williams stretching every sinew to fingertip the ball behind for a corner. Interminable injury time proved fatal for the visitors for in 8^th minute, the Brickies defence was found wanting as a deep Dulwich corner was missed in the middle. Coyle, up against his former employers, rattled the ball across the six yard area to where Gavin Dayes lurked. A swing, a strike, probably goalbound but the nether regions of Sol Pinnock would have the final say as the ball was diverted home at the back of box. Seconds later the whistle ended the half.

Second half brought a more determined Sittingbourne, Simon Overland earning his corn with a brace of fine saves deny both Kieran Marsh and Hicham Akhazzan within five minutes of the restart. First just two minutes into Mark Lovell sprayed a pass into the path of Marsh whose incisive running made space for a fierce strike that the Hamlet custodian turned behind. Soon after and Marsh and Lovell teamed up to lay the foundations for an opportunity for Akhazzan. Once again though Overland was a match for the effort, again stretching to divert the ball past his upright.

Bourne's endeavour deserved some return and they found it on 66 minutes when half-time substitute Lee Spiller produced a venomous shot from distance that Overland could only parry in the path of the skulking Anthony Hogg, his predatory instincts sated as he rattled home the rebound.

The goal should have sparked the Brickies to build on their improved performance. Instead it was the Hamlet who found renewed vigour, taking just eight minutes to restore the two-goal cushion. Before that Beaney had a shot deflected wide after Beveney had powered his way down to the corner flag whilst Ahmad was denied as Lee Hockey swept the ball off his feet as he shaped to shoot. 74 minutes and Shawn Beveney was on hand to profit from a breathtaking piece of football from young Milton, whirlwinds of tempestuous fire, Sittingbourne's rearguard mere spectators as the tyro ripped through them before setting up his team-mate who drove the ball sweetly under the body of the diving Williams. In control Dulwich began to toy with their guests, the Brickies confidence evaporating as Hamlet attacked at will. A smart drive from Pinnock from the edge of the box was smothered by the body of Williams but sweetness would soon be eclipsed by sourness as a red mist descended upon Champion Hill as the game petered out into stoppage time. Cedric Meeko's powerful drive carved through the middle of the park, provoking a petulant foul from Mark Lovell who cynically chopped down his opponent as he swept past. Meeko's reaction was to aim a punch at his aggressor, a moment of madness that sparked an unseemly free-for-all, in the midst of which Akhazzan went to ground as if the recipient of a Mike Tyson haymaker. Nicoals Plumain calls more to mind the great Welsh flyweight Jimmy Wilde, The Ghost with the Hammer in His Hand; that wiry frame concealed a fearsome armoury for his Gallic slap left his victim comatose on the turf for some time. Judge and jury, Mr Lugg brandished red cards at both Meeko and Plumain, though Lovell escaped with the bare caution for his role in the fracas. Reduced to nine men the Hamlet shut up shop as Bourne latched a full scale assault upon the Hamlet goal but the Pink and Blue defence held firm, the points secure.

Teams:

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Nicolas Plumain; Gavin Dayes; Jamie Coyle (Capt.); Lewis Tozer (Cedric Meeko 7); Kenny Beaney; David Milton (Matt Dean 87); Shawn Beveney; Sol Pinnock; Mazin Ahmad (Theo Fairweather-Johnson 82)

Substitutes not used: Daniel Jones, Billy Manners

SFC: Steve Williams; Toby Ashmore (Joe Neilson 75); Joe Dowley; Paul Ainsworth (Capt.); Lee Hockey; Kieran Marsh; Sabeur Trabelsi (Ricky Spiller HT); Anthony Hogg; Mark Lovell; Hicham Akhazzan; Mitchell Sherwood (Tristan Knowles 82)

Substitutes not used: Josh Willis (GK)

Attendance: 305

Officials:

Referee: Mr Nigel Lugg (Chipstead, Surrey)

Assistant Referees: Mr Craig Hicks (Sutton, Surrey) & Mr Ian Kitchen (Woking, Surrey)

Goalscoring:

1-0 DHFC Shawn Beveney 17^th minute

2-0 DHFC Sol Pinnock 45^th minute (8^th minute of stoppage time)

2-1 SFC Anthony Hogg 66^th minute

3-1 DHFC Shawn Beveney 74^th minute

Corinthian-Casuals 2 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 13^th January 2007

Ah, the Corinthians, the Casuals, such evocative names in the pantheon of footballing lore, conjuring up sepia-tinted images of gentleman in its truest sense, pristinely-waxed moustaches bristling with well-concealed anger at the barest hint of foul-play, barbarism and unsporting behaviour. King George's Field, hard by the lung-choking artery of the A3, in the shadow of a railway embankment, pricks those light imaginings, the robust play of those who now don the illustrious Chocolate and Pink shatters the romantic vision as surely as a hammer splinters glass. Upstairs, Downstairs, for if the past of the now conjoined Corinthian-Casuals is drawing room, then its present is scullery.

But then needs be when the devil drives, twice spared relegation in recent season first on goal difference, then by the reorganisation of Non-League Football and the resignation of Banstead Athletic, the Casuals now find themselves cast adrift at the foot of Division One South, without a home win all season and with the league leaders paying a call. Bleak seem the prospects but fortune favoured the hosts, not only were they enthused of a desire that the Hamlet lacked, but they received ample assistance, collusion is too strong a word, from a refereeing display so rank as to deflect the travelling throngs anger from their own heroes paucity of performance.

Uncontrollable circumstances robbed the Hamlet of a key spine of players as Wayne Burnett was forced into a number of changes in the wake of victory at home to Dover the previous Sabbath. Chris Dickson, goalscorer supreme, was a forlorn figure on the sidelines, foot in plaster. Shawn Beveney was in warmer climes, preparing to pull on his international shirt as Guyana mounted their challenge for a place in the final of the Digicel Caribbean Cup. Add to that the absence of Justyn Richards, his dual registration evoked by Fisher Athletic, and finds an excuse but not a reason. Even shorn of so many key players, a struggling side should be easy pickings for a team that harbours genuine ambitious of escaping to the Premier Division.

The Casuals put their stamp on this match from the off, quite literally, from the off. Flying into tackles with the wanton abandon of kamikaze pilots, under the unseeing eyes of Mr O'Brien, they soon were aware that Dulwich had little stomach for a fight. The Chocolate and Pink stormtroopers took midfield, set up camp to provide the ammunition for their marauding hitmen in attack, the pocket battleship Jamie Byatt and the Sherman Tank, André McCollin, whose late strikes at Champion Hill had snatched a draw in balmier August days. Deliberate, crafted football was being swamped by the rudimentary, though not before some silky skills from new boy Leigh Bremner, lithely twisting and turning as drove towards the edge of the penalty area, only for Omari Coleman to inadvertently block his strike. Bremner still managed to reclaim the loose ball but in the act of shooting he was scythed to the floor in the area, the first of trio of illicit, yet unpunished challenges that would prematurely end his afternoon.

Casuals created the better though, but wasteful finishing keep matters even. A low free kick was met by skipper Chris Horwood stretching out a leg to reach the ball before his marker but scooping the ball over the crossbar. Soon after when Jamie Coyle attempted to chest a rightwing back to keeper Simon Overland, he failed to spot the nippy Byatt in sneaked in behind him to latch on the ball, but struggled to control it, allowing Gavin Dayes the opportunity to position himself between Byatt and goal, blocking the shot. With a yellow flourished apparently in the direction of Lewis Tozer, Casuals found a free kick conferred upon them but McCollin wasted the chance lamping the ball high, wide and into the car park.

Omari Coleman, on Dulwich duty once more, was called back by a late flag as he brought down Coyle's pinpoint deep cross, though the finish was wide of the mark. A third ambush from a Chocolate and Pink assassin put paid to the participation of Bremner. Twice he hobbled back to the fray after being crumpled by challenges, but the third proved terminal and Sol Pinnock was called from the bench to replace him. The greater physical presence of the replacement provided an infusion of optimism; Pinnock's purposeful run three minutes after joining the skirmish setting up Coleman, only for an excellent saving tackle from Matt Smith to sweep the ball from his feet on the penalty spot. Smith was there again when Kenny Beaney zipped a low ball across the fringe of the area, looking for Coleman overlapping on the left, the Casuals defender stretching to administer the vital touch to divert the ball from the striker's path.

Stalemate to wash down the half-time Bovril but no. The clock had just ticked over into stoppage time when at last a goal arrived. A foul went on Beaney unpunished, or did Mr O'Brien play an advantage, the difference was immaterial for a precision pass found Coyle haring into space on the right and an searing strike thundered into the net past ‘keeper Colin Harris at the foot of his near post.

Shell-shocked the Casuals must have been but their recovered their senses and the deficit with mere minutes of the restart. Aided and abetted by the howling gale, which had gathered strength as the afternoon wore on, a long, long free kick was touched on by Jamie Goodwin, the ball dropping into space and with Simon Overland caught in No Man's Land, Jamie Byatt nipped to top off the move with a deft header over the stranded ‘keeper.

Wide right, Pinnock cut in only for a home defender to charge down his shot. Nicolas Plumain cut in from the wings to drive in an effort from the edge of the area but straight into the body of Colin Harris.

Still leading scorer for the hosts despite missing more than half the season through injury, the resolute McCollin produced a surging run from the left wing that ended with a fierce drive but wide of Overland's near post. The rare beauty of such move was soon put into stark contrast as Dayes was clattered into by Goodwin, a clash of heads leaving the Dulwich man with a cut head and Goodwin sprawled out on the sward. Unable to continue Dayes was replaced by Cedric Meeko with Coyle moving back into the centre-half role, whilst the perpetrator merely had to change shirts before resuming, remarkably covering nearly 50 yards in a less than a second to meet the resultant free kick bizarrely awarded to the hosts. The reshuffle left Dulwich in disarray, Casuals almost capitalising as Byatt came within inches of polishing off a rightwing cross whipped across the face of goal.

Officiating decisions continued to leave Dulwich in quandary. Chasing a long ball forward, Pinnock was held back by an arm across the chest from the last defender as the two tussled for the ball, but when the flag waved it was to penalise Pinnock not the offender! Making space for shot from the edge of the box, Beaney found only Harris' midriff, then moments later found himself the recipient of a hastily flourished yellow card. That caution was soon mirrored by one for McCollin, though it took him three offences before he could persuade Mr O'Brien to produce the book. McCollin though would have the last laugh when three minutes from time he made no mistake on find the net and clinch the points. Stumbling on the ball, Coyle lost possession to Goodwin and his neat pass put in McCollin on goal. This time the chance was not to be scattered to the winds as he hammered the ball past the advancing Overland to send his team-mates into ecstasy. Amidst this celebration a sour taste was left by the behaviour of a pair of home substitutes who danced along the touchline, yelling obscenities at the travelling fans, but perhaps points carry greater weight than principles in the modern era.

Dulwich went hell for leather for an equaliser and they might have been thrown a late lifeline when Beaney was fouled; ostensibly just inside the penalty area but Mr O'Brien spotted the ball a foot further back. Harris lost Beaney's delivery under pressure but the chance of last gasp equaliser went begging as Jamie Coyle ballooned the loose ball over the crossbar.

Below stairs, the relegation dogfight can begin anew for the jubilant hosts. At the top table, the Hamlet must look to find that hunger before they fight themselves dismissed to eat with the servants.

Teams:

CCFC: Colin Harris; Matt Smith; Dale Hennessy; Harry Holloway; Chris Horwood (Capt); Craig Dunne; Aaron Colt-Bolt; James Goodwin; André McCollin; Luke Gay; Jamie Byatt

Substitutes not used: Daniel Green; Jamie Carr; Alex Okisor; Ambrose Karmara; Kane Sergeant

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Nicolas Plumain; Gavin Dayes (Cedric Meeko 68); Jamie Coyle(Capt); Lewis Tozer; David Moore; Kenny Beaney; Leigh Bremner (Sol Pinnock 37); Omari Coleman; Phil Williams (Daniel Jones 75)

Substitutes not used: Matt Dean, Theo Fairweather-Johnson

Attendance: 162

Officials:

"Referee": Mr J O'Brien

"Assistant" Referees: Mr M Hopton & Mr A Roberts

Goalscoring:

0-1 DHFC Jamie Coyle 45^th minute

1-1 CCFC Jamie Byatt 47^th minute

2-1 CCFC André McCollin 86^th minute

Dulwich Hamlet 3 Dover Athletic 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Sunday 7^th January 2007

Under lowering skies, the congregation filed into the SE22's Cathedral of Football, joyous anthems raising the rafters as the pink and blue choristers, enthused by the evangelist zeal of their choirmaster, Wayne Burnett, struck a telling blow against one of their fellow promotion hopefuls. The battle for promotion may be tight, but the Sabbath proved no day of rest as the Hamlet turned on the style to send their opponents back to the Kent coast, pondering how their to plot next step in their escape from this division, their followers, raucous, ebullient, full of song at the start, ashen-faced and tongue-tied by the time the final whistle put an end to their suffering.

Torrential rain a day previous had left Champion Hill more akin to a boating lake, but the gods had been kind. The deluge relented, overnight the waters receded and by the time match referee eschewed his bacon and eggs for a early morning inspection, the pitch had almost returned to its pristine state. Mr Child gave the pitch a thumbs-up, Dover boarded their coaches from the coast and battle could be joined for the belated start to the New Year.

Both sides made minor changes. In for the Hamlet came new signing Leigh Bremner, lately arrived from Cray Wanderers, joining Chris Dickson in the vanguard of attack whilst Shawn Beveney, slipped back into midfield in the stead of David Moore, who was joined on the substitutes bench by a brace of new names in David Milton and Billy Manners. For Dover there was a new face in the dugout as Terry White took over the stewardship of the squad, current incumbent Clive Walker incapacitated by a back problem. The caretaker manager was forced into one change as Jon Wallis' loan spell from League Two side Hereford came to an end. This allowed a return for fans favourite, Jimmy Dryden, despite a week of gossip linking him with the Whites' deadly rivals Folkestone Invicta.

Slow to start, Dover were soon defending desperately as Dulwich sprung into action with lightning alacrity. Barely had the first whistle faded from earshot than the heavy brigade of the Dulwich defence was causing all sorts of confusion in the visitors' box and Justyn Roberts was so close to opening the scoring after just two minutes, firing into the side netting as Glen Knight fumbled a corner under pressure. Five minutes in and Dover songs were stilled as another corner produced the desired result. Outjumped the Dover defence were all at sea as the ball dropped in front of Lewis Tozer and he needed to second invitation to collect his maiden Hamlet goal, stretching to stab the ball high into the top of the net.

Beveney might have added to the lead, scampering away down the right wing before firing in a low shot that Knight grateful smothered at the second attempt but then the pendulum of possession swung in the favour of the Men of Kent. Large swathes of the field dominated by the White hoards but Hamlet calm, collected, dominant in defence. The handful of chances Dover were allowed came to naught as their forwards' wasteful finishing echoed the pre-match doubts of the travelling faithful. Best of the openings belonged to Dryden, firing wide of the far upright with a low drive from the right flank.

The travelling troubadours did their utmost to lift their heroes. For a while the draught seemed to catch the Dover sails but then the wind was sucked from them as Bradley Spice crumpled in a heap as he challenged Simon Overland for an overhit through ball. The prognosis was not good and as the stretcher was beckoned on to the pitch, it was clear the midfielder's day had come to an end. The enforced substitution saw defender Nick Humphrey on in his injured colleague's stead, a reshuffle seeing John Keister move forward into a midfield role.

35 minutes and a clear-cut penalty for the Hamlet went unawarded. Dickson brought down a deep Jamie Coyle cross but was sent spinning as Craig Cloke, left for dead, dived into the tackle. Honesty, and a touch of gymnastics from Dickson, saw the striker avoid hitting the deck and Mr Child's whistle unblown. Dickson's cross was too deep though it was returned to the edge of the box where Phil Williams tried his utmost to make space for a strike but was ultimately thwarted by weight of numbers.

As the half drew to a close Dover again threatened but once more their shooting radars malfunctioned. Craig Wilkins' delicate volley from 20 yards out proved little hazard as it dropped wide of Overland's right hand post, the Hamlet custodian surprisingly underemployed given Dover's territorial ascendancy. Not long after Overland again found himself watching a ball miss the target as Matt Bourne eschewed a gilt-edged chance, volleying high over the bar as a deep James Rogers' free kick found him lurking at the back of the six yard box.

The Dover team coach must have taken a detour though a black cat farm for ill-fortune coming to haunt them, Dryden emerging from the dressing room sporting a blood-stained bandage around his head, the result of a clash of heads in the dying moments of the first half.

A rush of blood sees Bremner mark his debut with a yellow card as he clashes with Matt Bourne as the Dover defender ushers the ball out for a throw, the caution bringing in its wake a one match ban as it is his fifth of the current campaign.

Dover find a new tactic, the long throw of Cloke, and it almost brings its reward as the hour mark approaches. A flick on from Wilkins and the ball fell into the flight path of Dryden's acrobatic volley but to no avail as the ball sailed over Overland's crossbar. A vital miss for two minutes later and Dulwich had doubled their advantage. Caught on the hop by a lightning Hamlet raid, a free kick was conceded some 25 yards from goal. Up stepped Kenny Beaney to produce a precise, curling finish, over the wall, beyond Knight's grasping fingers and into the net; a goal worthy of the greatest theatres of football, applauded by all no matter their allegiance.

That goal merely twisted the knife but the fatal blows were struck just five minutes later. First substitute Humphrey was sent off to complete a hat-trick of dismissals this term, dragging down Leigh Bremner as the pair tussled for a long ball on the edge of the area. Whilst Dover players swarmed around the man in black to voice their protests, to his credit the offender accepted his punishment with good grace before beginning the long walk back to the dressing rooms. Though Dulwich failed to add to the Dover woes, Knight making an excellent save from Jamie Coyle's sweetly struck dead ball effort, low and hard, it would be mere moments before they would strike again as Beveney latched on to a foolhardy pass across the face of his own penalty area from John Keister, unleashing a fearsome rising shot that saw the net bulge before Knight could react.

Against a decimated, ragged Dover, Dulwich looked rampant but could not stretch their lead. Indeed it was Dover who came closest to finding the net, only for Wilkins to be frustrated as Overland pulled off an outstanding save, cat-like reactions seeing him fling himself left to turn the ball past the post as the Dover man rifled in a first-time volley from close range. The intervention of Cloke with a diving header, albeit a little too close for comfort for his keeper, denied Bremner surely a debut goal as Coyle lashed in a cross from the right. 90 minutes elapsed, another penalty shout waved away as Bourne seems to handle the ball as it is hammered towards the near post by Dickson. Stoppage time seemed interminable, already the Dover supporters drift home. With Dulwich unremitting in attack, none but the hardy, last Kentish souls want the game to end but then that perseverance is rewarding as six minutes past the allotted span, the visitors at last force the ball into the net as Dryden is on hand apply the final touch as Rogers' corner is allowed to drop at the back of the box.

Keep the faith, a better place awaits for those who do. Here endeth the lesson.

Teams:

DHFC: Simon Overland, Jason Turley (Cedric Meeko 83), Nicolas Plumain, Justyn Roberts, Jamie Coyle (Capt), Lewis Tozer, Shawn Beveney (David Milton 83), Kenny Beaney, Leigh Bremner, Chris Dickson, Phil Williams (David Moore 79)

Substitutes not used: Sol Pinnock, Billy Manners

DAFC: Glen Knight, Tony Browne, James Rogers, Matt Bourne, Craig Cloke, Danny Chapman (Byron Walker 66), Bradley Spice (Nick Humphrey 33), Lee Spiller (Capt) (Shane Hamshare 83), Craig Wilkins, Jimmy Dryden, John Keister

Substitutes not used: Darren Smith, Liam Quinn

Attendance: 518

Referee: Mr Steve Child

Assistant Referees: Mr Phil Stevens & Mr Timothy Hatt

Goalscoring:

1-0 DHFC Lewis Tozer 5^th minute

2-0 DHFC Kenny Beaney 63^rd minute

3-0 DHFC Shawn Beveney 73^rd minute

3-1 DAFC Jimmy Dryden 90^th minute (5^th minute of stoppage time)

Croydon Athletic 1 Dulwich Hamlet 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 30^th December 2006

On an afternoon when storms of biblical proportions battered the Keith Tuckey Stadium, perhaps it was apt that a man called Moses should part the waters and claim the goal that knocked Dulwich from their perch at top of Division One South. After a promising start December petered out with a brace of disappointing defeats to clubs in the bottom half of the table, the goals drying up as the pitches dampened. Not that this defeat was not without merit for Dulwich created the bulk of the chances only for ill-fortune and poor finishing to conspire against them, a sure-fire penalty brushed aside when the game still stood goalless whilst the home goal at times led a charmed life.

With Chris Dickson suspended as punishment for his dismissal against Cray Wanderers, Shawn Beveney and Phil Williams combined to form a twin strike force whilst Jason Turley returned to the starting line-up. Meanwhile the hosts stood by the players that had taken them on a four match unbeaten run, including draws with high-flying Fleet and the experienced Cray Wanderers.

Wild and windy was the weather as the game sprung into life early on with Dulwich on the offensive early on. Seven minutes in and David Moore unleashed a screamer from distance after Williams had flicked a throw into his path but the effort fizzed wide of the far upright. A surreptitious shirt tug, something that seemed to be a strong part of the Rams' game plan, brought Hamlet a free kick tight by the corner flag but Kenny Beaney's delivery was hammered high and wide from Gavin Dayes. On the quarter hour James Gibson was allowed to jump highest to meet a right wing corner but his header flew harmlessly over the crossbar. That opportunity sparked a flurry chances primarily for the Hamlet. Beveney could not achieve the vital connection on Jamie Coyle's delivery after the defence had pulled out to leave him unmarked 12 yards out. A minute later and Gavin Dayes met a corner only to direct a downward header wide of the back post. Lewis Tozer's attempt to cut out a right wing cross almost created the opening for Simon Moore but Simon Overland reacted quickly to pat away the loose ball from the hovering Athletic attacker. Soon after great approach work from Williams, controlling the ball masterfully on treacherous terrain, created an opening for the young wingman to fire in a low shot from corner of the six yard box only for Sam Moore between the sticks for the Rams to stick out a foot and block the shot at the base of his post.

An excellent move saw the ball spread wide to a charging Jason Turley on the right, his pass finding Beveney on the edge of the box. Some neat footwork and the chance was there, only for Moore to block bravely. The ball ran towards Beaney but before he could pull the trigger Liam Wright was flying in with a superb covering tackle to rescue his side.

28 minutes brought controversy as Dulwich were denied what seemed a clear-cut penalty. Wide of his goal, custodian Sam Moore slashed a back pass straight to the feet of Williams 12 yards out. For a moment he struggled to control the ball on the sodden surface, then with the goal gapping before him he was unceremoniously shoved into the mud. Surely this would be a penalty kick and red card for the offender but no. Much to the bewilderment and chagrin of the Hamlet, referee Mr Rendell waved play on. On decisions such as this games can be won or lost. Six minutes later and the game had its breaker. Caught square, the Hamlet defence looked in vain to the assistant referee for a flag as Moses Ademola turned on the gas to pounce on to a pass slid through by Daniel Waldren. Overland did his best to narrow the angle but the young striker held his nerve calmly leaving the Hamlet ‘keeper stricken in the mud as he rounded him and hammered the ball into the unguarded net from a tight angle.

Though Beveney missed an opportunity to bring things level, shooting wide at the near post three minutes later, the goal had breathed inspiration in to the young Rams and but for the goal line intervention of Lewis Tozer Dulwich might have been looking at a deficit doubled and Ademola at a second goal. In the final minute of the half, Wright too went close, throwing himself at Simon Moore's deflected cross but much to the relief of the Hamlet his diving header just shaved he crossbar.

Second half brought no relief from the elements as the wind picked up to gale force, trees bent double by the force of the storms. Despite playing into the teeth of the tempest, Dulwich would take command of the second half albeit without turning opportunities created into goals scored. Four minutes in Sol Pinnock took the field to augment the attack, defender Tozer making way for the substitute. 12 in and the wind became a twelfth man for the hosts as a lofted pass found Simon Moore onside. Only Overland stood between him and the goal, the big custodian diving at his feet as the striker attempted to take the ball past him. It seemed as if Overland had taken man not ball but as if to atone for his earlier error, Mr Rendell stunned the prostrate Moore, pointing not for a penalty but instead brandishing a yellow card in the face of the perplexed Ram.

Desperate not to surrender their leadership of the Division turned on the gas. A half-cleared corner saw Williams drive a fearsome effort goal wards but a foot too high. Williams again showed his silky skills on the right, dancing through tackles before driving the ball into the six-yard box, only for Sam Moore to pounce on the ball as Beveney attempted to connect with the cross. Moments later the industrious Nicolas Plumain slipped a pass into Pinnock but from a tight angle, ‘keeper Moore showed lightning reactions to one-handedly turn the ball past his near post. The corner saw the ball drop at the feet of substitute Cedric Meeko 30 yards from goal, a ferocious drive fizzing through a forest of players but too close to Moore who smothered the ball as a strongman might a cannonball. Moore's guardian angel was by now filling in the overtime sheet as fortune favoured the custodian, Beveney somehow striking the ball into his face from a yard after a rebound had dropped conveniently at his feet. A foot, an inch even, either side and Dulwich were back on level terms, but it was not to be. Domination counted for naught, the Rams content to use each and every machination in the bible of gamesmanship to run down the clock and secure the points.

Teams:

CAFC: Sam Moore; Adam Wadmore; Daniel Waldren; Danny Young; James Gibson (Capt); Lumumba Amena; Frankie Warren (Jason Mabbs 70); Gareth Graham; Moses Ademola; Simon Moore (Carlton Murray-Price 79); Liam Wright

Substitutes not used: Darren Phillips; Delando Smith

DHFC: Simon Overland; Lewis Tozer (Sol Pinnock 50); Gavin Dayes (Cedric Meeko 69); Justyn Roberts ; Jamie Coyle (Capt); Jason Turley; David Moore; Kenny Beaney; Shawn Beveney; Nicolas Plumain; Phil Williams

Substitutes not used: Chris Lewington (GK); Matt Dean; Daniel Jones

Attendance: 159

Officials:

Referee: Mr L J Rendell

Assistant Referees: Mr F Davis & Mr R Ellis

Goalscoring:

1-0 CAFC Moses Ademola 34^th minute

Nuts'n'Bolts Screw Up A Hamlet Christmas

Ashford Town 1 Dulwich Hamlet 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 23^rd December 2006

"Twas the game before Christmas,

when all round the ground,

not a face bore a smile,

for the Hamlet had been downed"

Not strictly true for the visages belonging to those of an Ashford persuasion bore the megawatt grins of young tots who had awoken on Christmas morn to find Saint Nick had deposited the latest PS2 at the foot of their tree. Hamlet though wore the crestfallen expression of those who had peered in their festive stockings deep in anticipation only to find a mouldy tangerine and a lump of coal. The Nuts and Bolts, slowly negotiating their way out of a barren wasteland of results that had left them marooned in a relegation dogfight, must believe in Father Christmas after this battling performance, one that saw them harry a hapless Hamlet at every turn, create 90% of the chances, yet somehow find themselves hanging on at the death to claim three points more precious to them than any gift aboard Santa's sleigh.

Ashford made two changes from their last outing, a 3-0 thumping at Tooting, as former Hamlet man John Cumberbatch, now sole manager of the Nuts and Bolts, prepared to do battle with his one-time employers. His counterpart for the Hamlet, Wayne Burnett, had no such worries, an unchanged starting XI named from victory over Cray a week previous though Sol Pinnock was absent from the bench, Daniel Jones there in his stead.

The fog that had smothered London and benighted most of the country for a week had dissipated by the anointed time of kick-off but still the Kent hinterlands wore a matt grey mantle, the flat winter light failing to illuminate Ashford's imperiously isolated Homelands stadium. A brief spark from the Hamlet tried its best to spread some light across a dull scenario but the hosts were pugnacious in their play, tenacious in the tackle. If one had imagined the humble hosts to be Christians, awaiting slaughter by the rampaging lions of the Hamlet on the floor of their own temple, that vision was soon shattered. At times the lions played like the lost sheep, bleating in the wilderness as their shepherd search in vain.

Plying his trade in the Premier Division until impecunious Folkestone cut him from the payroll, the tricky Walid Matata emphasised his threat as he skipped away from a rigid Hamlet rearguard only to drive wide with just ‘keeper Simon Overland to beat. Not long after strike partner George Fenwick repeated that feat of escapology, this time Overland blocking his effort.

Custodian Overland had seemed overly nervous on his return to the Homelands where he had spent most of the season on loan from Dagenham but when he spilled a tame shot from Drew Watkins, one could have little idea that mistake would prove the catalyst for the game's ultimate decider. Picking off Ken Jarrett-Elliott's corner seemed a doodle for the big keeper who had been a colossus on his debut the week before but as the tall striker Fenwick challenged for the cross, Overland seemed to punch the ball into his own net though the goal was credited to his tormentor in green.

Ashford and in particular Matata continued to torture the Hamlet defence. Had it not been for a fine last ditch tackle from Lewis Tozer, the striker might have doubled the lead. Not till the half hour did Hamlet muster a threat worthy of the name, the ball launched forwards for Shawn Beveney to flick into the path of Chris Dickson only for Jake Whincup to produce a stunning piece of reactionary defence, flicking the ball one-handed off the toes of Dickson as he attempted to sweep the ball past the onrushing custodian. A rare clearing in a green-strewn midfield allowed Phil Williams space to shift up a gear and attack, driving forwards before slipping the ball out to Beveney, overlapping on the right but the big Guyanese elected to shoot from the most impossible of angles and the chance had gone. A moment later and Hamlet's best chance of the afternoon so far. Dickson to the goal line, slipping the leash of his marker and finding David Moore. A fierce drive, Whincup down for a cracking low save but one that should have counted for naught as Williams showed strength to reach the loose ball only to lash it wildly high and wide of the mark. Almost as if to rub slat into the wounds, as half-time neared Matata had yet another opening to extend the lead, Dulwich caught cold as a foul on Kenny Beaney went unpunished. Veering through the chicanes of the Hamlet defence with the élan of a Schumacher, Matata's finishing would let him down as the final striker rattled into the hoardings behind the goal.

Had harsh words fallen upon Hamlet ears at the break, they had failed to take root for the errors were exacerbated as Overland allowed an early free kick to ricochet off his chest, Fenwick unable to capitalise as he hammered the rebound wide from an acute angle. An instant later Ashford had forced a corner. Amid a mêlée of green and white, pink and blue (Not the next series of Changing Rooms, but the Dulwich six-yard box), Overland found some redemption for his earlier sins clawing the ball to safety as the green hordes menaced. Suddenly a spark of chance for the Hamlet. Dickson electric on the right, hammering a low cross into the area, an inviting ball but one the waiting Moore could not reach to add the final icing on a promising move.

A fire had been lit in Hamlet bellies, one that threatened to burst into full conflagration as the Ashford tackling moved from determined to desperate. A two-footed lunge from Watkins saw him cautioned before Jarrett-Elliott reacted in dramatic fashion to Gavin Dayes' industrial challenge, provoking an unseemly set-to, both protagonists added to referee Irvine Woodward's roll of shame for their misdeeds.

Matata, who by now should have made the match ball his personal property, sliced through the tender heart of the Hamlet defence but at the death struck his effort wide. Dulwich substitute Daniel Jones, on for Williams, had an excellent chance to throw the Hamlet a lifeline at the end of a classic move, Jamie Coyle finding him clear on the left of the penalty area. Whincup, last line of defence, but from the gluey ground Jones could not muster a finish to beat him.

The finishing hoodoo that had cast its spell found its next victim in the industrious, if ill-starred, Matata who could have driven the Clapham Omnibus through the glaring gap down the middle though a pantechnicon might have been more accurate with the finish. A goal there would have made the final minutes a formality but the Nuts and Bolts, having given their all, found themselves the doors upon which the battering rams of the Hamlet were pounding. Somehow they survived a shout for a penalty as Beaney had his legs taken from him. Somehow they survived, by the skin of their teeth, by the width of a coat of paint as Beaney lashed in an excellent cross from the left wing, met by an airborne header from surrogate striker Dayes that left Whincup standing but flew a fraction wide of the top corner.

Results elsewhere meant Dulwich had the Christmas Number One, but this was an off-key performance more St Winifred's School Choir than Pink Floyd.

Teams:

ATFC: Jake Whincup; Anthony Allman; Simon Glover; Tom Adlington (Capt); Marc Cumberbatch; Kevin Lott; Drew Watkins (Joe Hitchings 82); Matt Carruthers; Walid Matata; George Fenwick; Ken Jarrett-Elliott

Substitutes not used: Ian Ross; Luke Coleman; Jamie Leggett

DHFC: Simon Overland; Lewis Tozer; Gavin Dayes; Justyn Roberts; Jamie Coyle (Capt); Jake Daniel; David Moore (Nicolas Plumain 82); Kenny Beaney; Shawn Beveney; Chris Dickson; Phil Williams (Daniel Jones 63)

Substitutes not used: Cedric Meeko, Jason Turley, Billy Warner

Attendance: 210

Officials:

Referee: Mr Irvine Woodward

Assistant Referees: Mr Simon Finnigan, Mr Adam Bowen

Goalscoring:

1-0 ATFC: George Fenwick 21^st minute

Dulwich Hamlet 1 Cray Wanderers 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 16^th December 2006

Echoes of a London long lost as the Crays came a-calling in South London, not to collect unpaid debts but perhaps to inflict a bit of "damage" on the Hamlet's promotion credentials whilst restoring their own ambitions of ascendancy, severely hampered by the distracting glint of silverware in recent weeks.

This was not to a game for the faint hearted, callow youth pitched against ripened experience, canny minds if slowing limbs doing battle with pace interwoven with naïveté. At death but a single goal to separate the combatants, a sixth of the season in sixteen appearances from Jamie Coyle, a return some strikers might regard as acceptable but a centre-half? Such is Wayne's World the turf accountants might be sorely tested to set a book for the first goalscorer. ‘Twas a pity then that an afternoon that saw the three hour mark passed since last the Dulwich net rippled in league action, that saw the men in Pink and Blue extend their lead at the head of the pack to five points, should end on a sour note as a second yellow card saw an animated Chris Dickson sent from the field, a victim as much of his own naïveté as of the guile of the evergreen Al-James Hannigan.

From the stalemate at Sittingbourne, Dulwich made two changes. Arriving on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge, custodian Simon Overland took over between the sticks, the fifth keeper to guard the goal for Hamlet this season. Also making a welcome return to Champion Hill was striker Omari Coleman, signed by tenants Fisher Athletic a week previously and replacing Shawn Beveney as Dickson's strike partner, Beveney moving out to the wing in the stead of Phil Williams. Second-oldest club in the word, the Wands' starting eleven bristled with experience, some whose CV might have included those pioneering days such was their longevity in the game.

Within the first minute Beveney had buried the ball in the side netting, the tall Guyanese escaping down the right wing before Dickson hooked a David Moore cross from the opposite flank over the crossbar in the third minute. Neat interchanges on the edge of the area come the quarter hour saw Dickson nip in to drive a low shot goalwards, deflected in keeper Steve Northwood's body and grabbed at the second attempt.

Fast and furious was the football but the chances remained fleeting. Beveney won a corner. Kenny Beaney delivered it into the heart of the danger area for Lewis Tozer to meet with a header but too close to Northwood. 32 minutes and a caution for Dickson as he and Hannigan clashed at throw-in, the defender's gamesmanship conning the referee into waving a yellow card in the face of a frustrated Dickson whilst the canny veteran went unpunished. Not long after Overland was called into serious action for the first time as Ross Lover sliced a hole in the centre of the Hamlet defence before slipping a pass into the path of Leigh Bremner. Bremner looked set to open the scoring but he reckoned without Overland who spread his leviathan frame before the incoming striker and batter away his shot. Lover's pace again proved troublesome in the 39^th minute as Tozer sent him sprawling 25 yards out. The position may have been dangerous, the free kick anything but as it was hammered in to the wall and launched to safety. Catching Hamlet cold as they pushed up for a corner, Cray went on the counterattack, the ubiquitous Lover getting the better of Jake Daniel but forced wide as Overland spread himself before him. A pull back to Lewis Wood but a let-off for Dulwich as the shot was drilled across the face of goal.

Those wasted opportunities came back to haunt Cray as Dulwich at last took control of the half. Not the tallest of the custodial clan Northwood stretched all of his frame to punch a deep Beaney free kick off the head of Tozer. A brace of corners soon followed. The first brought a spectacular overhead kick from Beveney, Northwood scrambling the ball past his post, the second brought the breakthrough.

Delivered deep by Beaney, the ball was met powerfully, precisely by the head of Coyle and Hamlet were ahead. Seconds later the referee's whistle brought first half proceedings to a close.

Second half saw Cray in determined mood, anxious to get back on level terms. Lewis Wood's free kick, mere feet outside the area, was blocked by a mass of Pink and Blue.

An underhit clearance from Justyn Richards gave Lewis Wood another chance but it seemed the gods had abandoned him as from 12 yards out he struck the outside of the upright.

Both sets of woodwork were to suffer as Coleman came within a whisker of marking his return with a goal, Dickson playing provider, a fearsome shot on the turn cannoned back off the underside of the crossbar and out. Stampeding down the right, Beveney suffered similarly when he capped the run with a sweet low drive only to see it crash against the far upright. Lewis Wood missed again, dragging a shot wide when well placed, matched by Beveney who blazed a shot across the face of goal after yet another sprint down the flank.

Like a pint of ale in a chain hostelry, the refereeing at this standard of football remains a game of chance. Oft times, one will be presented with something that surprises one with its quality. Too often one sups on a brew that leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Such was the felling when with five minutes left on the clock, Mr Daly summoned Dickson to him having spotted a minor contretemps and despite the advocacy of his skipper, Dickson was dismissed from the field ostensibly for the use of foul and abusive language. A sly smile drifted across the face of Hannigan, a man whose tongue would make a Tourette's sufferer baulk.

One might have expected the ten men of Dulwich to lock the door and secure the points but none of it. Beveney lashed an angled shot across the face of goal then on came Phil Williams in the final minute in place of Moore. Twice in the blink of an eye, the replacement found himself on the wrong end of heavy challenges from Lover, both punished by free kicks, neither by cautions. Perhaps priorities in the modern game have moved on?

But thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. Cray battled to the death but no longer is the Hamlet a soft touch, the silken weaves of their attack now laced with a steel forged in South London. Add nous and composure, the dream may take on solid form come May?

Teams:

DHFC: Simon Overland; Lewis Tozer; Gavin Dayes; Justyn Roberts; Jamie Coyle (Capt); Jake Daniel; David Moore (Phil Williams 89); Kenny Beaney; Omari Coleman; Chris Dickson; Shawn Beveney

Substitutes not used: Cedric Meeko; Sol Pinnock; Jason Turley; Nicolas Plumain

CWFC: Steve Northwood; David Hall; Colin Luckett (Barry Gardner 84); Al-James Hannigan; Matt Lee; Dean Morris; Ross Lover; Jamie Kempster (Junior Baker 72); Jamie Wood; Leigh Bremner; Lewis Wood

Substitutes not used: Adam Young; Danny Whelan; Tony Russell

Attendance: 286

Officials:

Referee: Mr Stephen Daly (Woolwich)

Assistant Referees: Mr Arif Khalfe (Waterloo) & Mr Tony Kemsley (Woolwich)

Goalscoring:

1-0 DHFC Jamie Coyle 45^th minute

Sittingbourne 0 Dulwich Hamlet 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One

Tuesday 12^th December 2006

Mine eyes have seen the unthinkable or rather they have not. A game sans goals in the Wayne Burnett era? (Shome mishtake shurely, Ed) © Private Eye. Blame the elements, a chill blustery wind laced with spots of icy rain swirled around humble Bourne Park, crouched beneath the towering edifice of Central Park, a paean to past glories and former follies. Blame the pitch, still sodden from the weekend's storms, pregnant with the precipitation that had lashed this far outpost of the man in black, Mr Ian Fissenden of Gravesend, whose eagle-eyes went on the blink went Chris Dickson was cruelly chopped down in the penalty area shortly before the break, the crack of boot on shinpad rattling around the arena then almost drowned by the respective gasps of relief and disbelief from friend and foe on the terraces.

Unchanged from weekend victory over the Met Police mercenaries, Dulwich faced opponents with similar ambitions of promotion as themselves. Injuries deprived the Bourne of keeper Steve Williams, 17 year old Josh Willis proving an able deputy though not tested to the degree his teenage counterpart wearing the Hamlet gloves, Chris Lewington, was. Missing too was centre-forward Mark Lovell whose 9 goals had proved instrumental in the Kent side's challenge.

A flurry of early exchanges disguised the stalemate ahead. The two sides swapped chances in the opening minute then a 15 yard drive from Lee Hockey brought the best out of Lewington as he stretched to push a fierce shot over the crossbar. Eight minutes and an excellent chance went begging as Mitchell Sherwood was left to his own devices on the right wing, a low drive flashing across the face of goal, the far away and too fast for leading scorer Andy Doerr to apply a killer touch.

A powerful charge from Shawn Beveney set up David Moore but a shot from distance failed to trouble the neophyte Willis. Sittingbourne hit straight back but Doerr would have been disappointed with his finishing lashing the ball high and wide after Lee Browning had found himself in space in front of the box. Dickson too saw a great chance go begging after he had latched on to Jake Daniel's dinked pass into the penalty but with only the keeper to beat the Hamlet's crack marksman stabbed hi shot wide of the far post. Worse was to follow as Moore horribly miskicked with the goal at his mercy, sending the travelling faithful scattering as his wild drive threatened a terrace massacre. A late offside flag halted Dickson in his tracks moments later but officialdom would frustrate the Hamlet hitman even more on 24 minutes as he penetrated the left corner of the penalty area, to be scythed down by Toby Ashmore. More to the astonishment of Dickson, referee Mr Fissenden had it in his mind that the Hamlet man had dived though no punishment was forthcoming. Ashmore suffered Dickson's frustration as he was clattered into by the striker moments later and this time the card did come out.

Jon Neal got the best of an erratic bounce to get in behind Justyn Richards but a stabbed effort enabled Hamlet to clear their lines. Soon after Browning saw the goal open up before him but stumbled in the boggy ground at the vital moment allowing Lewington to spread himself and gather. Not long before the interval Daniel made a present of the ball to Sherwood, the winger advancing down the right before winging a ball into the area to the waiting Neal but Lewington would prove his nemesis blocking a strong close range strike.

With conditions deteriorating in the second half, it was not surprising that some of the cutting edge evaporated from the game though Sittingbourne should have gained an advantage early on as Lewington denied both Hockey and Kieran Marsh in the first couple of minutes. A laser fine pass whipped across the face of goal by Dickson from the right had no one in position to apply the final brushstroke. For the Brickies diminutive substitute Ricky Spiller, proving width on the right, delivering a telling cross headed out to the toes of Marsh only for the skipper to pick power over precision and hammer the ball well a foot too high.

15 minutes from time Willis's poor clearance almost cost his side a goal as Beveney fed Moore on the edge of the area who in turn delivered the ball into the path of Kenny Beaney only for the midfielder to hook the ball behind under pressure.

Late on the blustery wind blowing at their backs almost became a twelfth man for the Hamlet. A corner punched out to Beaney curling back on the breeze only for keeper Josh Willis to tip over. Beaney's next effort from the corner flag again swinging in to be punched away by Willis through a crowd of players but back to Beaney but this time the inswinger flew to high.

Rather than settle for a shared point Dulwich threw on Sol Pinnock and Billy Warner for the final ten minutes in place of Beveney and Moore but the tactic proved in vain as the game ended in scoreless stalemate. Difficult conditions, dogged opposition but the management was still displeased, two points dropped the verdict.

Teams:

SFC: Josh Willis; Toby Ashmore; Joe Dowley; Paul Ainsworth; Steve Searle; Kieran Marsh (Capt); Lee Browning; Lee Hockey; Jon Neal (Ricky Spiller 53); Andy Doerr; Mitchell Sherwood

Substitutes not used: Clint Gooding; Matt Nicholl; Tristan Knowles; James Campbell

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Lewis Tozer; Gavin Dayes; Justyn Roberts (Nicolas Plumain 77); Jamie Coyle (Capt); Jake Daniel; David Moore (Billy Warner 84); Kenny Beaney; Shawn Beveney (Sol Pinnock 84); Chris Dickson; Phil Williams

Substitutes not used: Cedric Meeko; Jason Turley

Attendance: 156

Officials:

Referee: Mr Ian Fissenden (Gravesend)

Assistant Referees: Mr P J Knight (Canterbury) & Mr R Joss (Margate)

Met Police 0 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 9^th December 2006

Your faithful scribe has been musing, poring through ancient lore and even older puns, but to no avail. The bard of Avon has provided not a jot of inspiration. The sainted Stuart Hall, so often the last resort for the man in need of a silken tongue, a piece of homespun whimsy or a pun, so groan-inducing, even a Butlin's Redcoat would baulk, failed to offer succour. Even a delve into dog-eared back issues of the Radio Times proved fruitless. "For what?" you, the long-suffered reader, may ask. A Dickson of Dock Green leitmotif for this missive from Imber Court but "Dickson Lamps Blues" was as far as it went and even that may be too obscure for those that have not yet reached their half-century. So let the tale tell itself, a smash and grab raid from the prolific Chris Dickson, aided and abetted by his accomplices in green and white, the boys in blue chasing the young South London ragamuffins like the old village bobby, puffing and wheezing in pursuit of a pinched helmet.

Why change? So Dulwich didn't bar the recall of Chris Lewington between the sticks to fend off the challenge of yet another loanee usurper of his gloves. For the Met lads, injuries, none I was assured from falling down the stairs, restricted their choices with both Ryan Gray and Craig Brown failing to recover in time. Surprisingly the coppers' manager, Jim Cooper, chose to leave one-time Hamlet hero, Luke Cornwall, on the bench, perhaps wary that his erstwhile team-mates would know too much of his trickery and negate his influence.

The usual carpet-like turf of Imber Court, lovingly tended by the taxpayers' mite, had suffered in the inclement weather. Soon it looked as if the whole mounted division of the Met had tramped across it as divots appeared at will. The two teams eyed each other, tested and teased before the game sprang into life as the quarter hour approached. First Lewington was down smartly to keep out a low drive from Ben Abbey who had escaped on the left, Justyn Richards providing a timely block as Dave Newman followed up. Soon after Will Packham found himself stretching high to fingertip a finely struck volley from Shawn Beveney, standing on the brink of the area. The corner almost had a fortunate outcome as the ball ricocheted off Lewis Tozer but into the arms of a waiting Packham.

Another former Hamlet player, Jon Daly, skipper of the boys in blue but more poacher than gamekeeper, came within a whisker of giving his former fans something to smile about as he somehow screwed a swirling Kenny Beaney free kick against his own upright. The peril persisted but after making the room for a shot from 20 yards out, Beveney spooned his effort over the crossbar.

Trickery from the wizard of wing play, Phil Williams, lit up a cloudy day as he disco danced his way through the Police cordon, then darkness fell as cynically his joyful run was halted, scythed down by Paul Barrowcliff on the cusp of glory and the edge of the area. A mere caution for the offender, a decision symptomatic of a disappointing display of officialdom. An over elaborate free kick routine meant the offence went unpunished as Lee Gledhill was able to charge down Beaney's eventual strike. Yet another free kick came closer, Beaney's curling effort palmed away by a diving Packham at the back stick but three minutes to go the deadlock would be snapped with a goal classical in its inception yet clinical in its execution. Tozer launched a Dickson seeking missile up field, the goal hungry striker, holding off the last defender before neatly lobbing the ball over the advancing Packham who looking back more in hope than expectation as the ball dropped into the net behind him.

Second half began with Hamlet attacking, Williams weaving his way into the box but failing to loose the killer blow. A minute later a Tozer was again on the end of penalty box pinball but once more the goal survived as the ball was stabbed at Packham. Up went the Hamlet barricades as the Police laid into their guests, blue attacks snuffed out a resilient green wall, where even Williams was forced to rein in his attacking instincts to police the threat of Tony Finn on the left wing.

A double substitution for the Police as they fought for an equaliser, Barry Stevens and Stuart Harte taking the place of Gary Elliott and Simon Gregory. Allowed space in the middle of the park Harte's run paved the way for Craig Brown to open a wound on the Hamlet flank, cutting in from the side but blazing his low strike wide of the far post. His fellow replacement Stevens was soon employed in defensive mode, a last ditch tackle denying Beveney after Roberts' crunching tackle had set up the big Guyanese for a helter-skater charge up field.

Finn got the better of his shadow, shaking off Williams, only for his strike to be deflected into the side netting. The corner caused a few jitters, Barrowcliff's flicked header blocked, a follow-up by Brown similarly thwarted. Beveney then hit the upright having robbed Packham of the ball before marching unchallenged into the box (after all where's a copper when you need one?), only to rattle his shot against the post from an oblique angle. Finn denied by Lewington, David Moore by Packham. A contentious free kick, a hand seen by none by the man in black, wasted by the Police as Finn winged the ball goalwards only to shave the roof of the net. Referee Regan was less eagle-eyed when Dickson burst into the box, only to fall victim to a clear shove in the back from Newman but with the Hamlet man not goin' dahn all Regan wanted to do was leave it. Dickson would have his vengeance as time wasted away. Rather than play out time near the corner flag, one last attack from the Hamlet saw the ball slipped across to Dickson who created the space on the edge of the box to drill a stinging drive into the bottom corner of the net. Evening all!

Teams:

MPFC: Will Packham; Lee Gledhill (Capt) (Ian Batten 90); Gary Elliott (Barry Stevens 59); Simon Gregory (Stuart Harte 60); Dave Newman; Paul Barrowcliff; Craig Brown; Jon Daly; Ben Abbey; James Evans; Tony Finn

Substitutes not used: Luke Cornwall; Stuart MacKenzie (GK)

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Lewis Tozer; Gavin Dayes; Justyn Roberts; Jamie Coyle; Jake Daniel; David Moore (Nicolas Plumain 90); Kenny Beaney; Shawn Beveney; Chris Dickson; Phil Williams

Substitutes not used: Cedric Meeko; Billy Warner; Jason Turley; Sol Pinnock

Attendance: 146

Officials:

Referee: Mr I Regan

Assistant Referees: Mr W Ingram & Mr A Roberts

Goalscoring:

0-1 DHFC Chris Dickson 42^nd minute

0-2 DHFC Chris Dickson 90^th minute (+2)