Dartford FC 1 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 31^st March 2007

The barren, wind-battered approach to Princes Park is purgatory but as one crests the hill the first glimpse of the Darts' new home draws little breath that remains from one's body. Buried under bricks and mortar by the greedy hands of the developers, Watling Street was Victorian Gradgrind to sparkling new Princes Park, a 21^st century stadium boasting all the "green" credentials, solar panels for power, rain recycling systems to water the playing field, sustainable wood. For your humble though this meant a blanket smoking ban, an anxious wait until half-time before one can draw on a gasper. Fortunately the buzz of a pulsating contest meant the usual nicotine hit went almost unmissed.

Three wins out of four for the hosts would mean naught should they lose today. A single change saw Tommy Osborne return having missed an unconvincing 4 goal defeat of bottom club Corinthian-Casuals with injury. Meanwhile hamlet boss Wayne Burnett shuffled his pack in an attempt to gain a much-needed three points after three games without a win, Mazin Ahmad and Leigh Bremner restored to the starting line-up whilst Serge Musungu and Williams dropped to the bench.

Dulwich threatened after just four minutes when Jamie Coyle swept a low cross into the six yard box, the ball allowed to wend its way to Damien Scannell whose attempt to force the ball home was foiled by a combination of ‘keeper and defender, fellow striker Bremner unable to connect with the rebounds. However it was the Darts who were first to find the net, putting the hosts on course to cement their place in the play-off pack whilst seriously damaging the ambitions of the visiting Hamlet. 7 minutes gone, Eddie McClements robbed Coyle of the ball, an intricate run into the box though a brace of challenges taking him clear of the defence only from big Hamlet custodian Simon Overland to bravely block at the feet of the onrushing wingman. But with the Dulwich rearguard missing in action Overland was left defenceless as first Brendon Cass then Jay May tried to bundle the loose ball home, May succeeding where his compatriot had failed.

If the vocal hordes of Darts aficionados had expected that goal to spark an black and white avalanche, their hopes soon evaporated as Dulwich dominated play but could not find the Philosopher's Stone that might turn the base metal of their domination into the gold of goals. Ahmad chanced his arm with a long range free kick, the ball buzzing a foot too high over Darts goalie, Tony Kessell's crossbar.

A momentary lapse in defence for the Hamlet almost let in May once more after Cass had slipped a neat pass into him, but Justyn Roberts composed tackle in manner of the late lamented Bobby Moore robbed the Dartford man of the chance to double his tally. Faced by the massed phalanxes of home defenders, Kenny Beaney attempted to curl the ball beyond Kessell from the corner of the penalty area, a defender's involuntary intervention almost assisting him as the deflection left Kessell flat-footed but relieved as the ball bounced wide of his near upright. A deep cross from the left, swirling on the wind, was met by the head of Mark Green, the ball nodded back across the face of goal with the Darts deadliest weapons, May and Cass, in attendance but each seemingly frozen as the ball bounced harmlessly wide of the post.

Custodian Kessell played a key role in keeping the Hamlet from bringing the contest back to parity, smartly off his line twice in quick succession first to gather the ball as Bremner burst past the static central defenders in his quest to reach a clearance headed back then as Scannell zipped through the defence, stealing the ball off the Hamlet man's toes with an outstretched leg as Scannell prepared to round him. The lively Scannell continued to ask questions of the home defence, neat skills on the edge of the box but a shot blocked by a mass of black and white. Kessell was again called into action after Shawn Beveney, recipient of the ball on the right wing, spun away from a brace of dumbfounded markers before curling in an angled shot that a diving Kessell did well to push away, a defender's knee completing the job as Bremner went hunting for the rebound. Dulwich's defence had still not learnt the lessons of May's opener and with just two minutes of a pulsating half remaining, abundant white shirts flooded the Hamlet penalty area, McClements sweeping the ball across to Ryan Hayes who in turn attempted to find Cass only for a last-gasp tackle from skipper Jamie Coyle to lash the ball behind for a corner.

The second half dawned brightly for the Hamlet though Scannell's powerful run to the edge of the area remained unembellished by a goal as the ball spun wide of the mark whilst Bremner, despite his acrobatics, could not provide the telling connection with a right wing cross. The ball flicked into his path by Beveney, Scannell let fly with a rasping shot but always twisting just that little bit shy of the net.

Subdued in the first half, Darts now rallied and but for the resilience of Dulwich custodian, Overland, might well have made the points their own. Twice in a minute Overland made vital saves at the feet of first Green then Cass as the Hamlet defence was breached too easily. Changes were made. On came Daniel Morris for his debut replacing Bremner. Ahmad made way for Musungu. Dulwich stepped up a gear. Gavin Dayes attempted to bend a shot in at the post but missed by inches. Rumbling through like a Sherman Tank, Cass broke through the last line of resistance but found Overland unflappable in adversity, the ball blocked and amidst a tumultuous gallimaufry Lewis Tozer managed a clearance under heavy fire.

The minutes ticked away. Ten minutes left, a slip from Coyle let in Tommy Osborne, haring down the left wing to deliver a low ball into May, the usually reliable hitman snatching at the opportunity to wallop the ball out of the ground. Two minutes later Steve Norman floated a long, long free kick that almost embarrassed Overland as it hung on the breeze, the big number one back-pedalling furiously to somehow stretch to the last sinew and turn the ball over the bar, freezing the celebrations of the throats of the Dartford Warblers behind the goal. Game, set and match it might been but the importance of that save magnified immeasurably as Hamlet struck the leveller through the boot of Williams, on in place of Dayes less than 10 minutes previous. Wound up and raring to go, Williams had nibbled at the Darts defence with probing runs that fell stony ground but he feasted upon a sublime chip into the angle of the six yard box, larruping a first time volley from the acutest of angles into the far corner of the stunned Kessell's net.

A point apiece might have sated had the stakes not been so high, the wolves circling as goals went in for Dover, Tooting, Hastings, Maidstone, six teams fight fighting for five seats at the promotion party. Hamlet went hunting for the winner, Scannell blocked by the legs of Kessell as he tried to finish from a tight angle. Selected as Man of the Match by the afternoon's sponsors, Kessell justified that award further plucking a free kick from the forehead of Tozer as he rose highest in the forest of players. Right at the death the Darts could not have had a more clear-cut chance to claim victory. May flicked the ball over the head of Tozer head before supplying McClements at the far post. Stretching to meet the ball, McClements drew groans of agony from the massed ranks of Darts supporters as the ball flashed agonisingly a fraction wide of the foot of Overland's post. One-apiece, a fair reward for endeavour but not what the chairmen might have ordered. The dogfight intensifies.

Teams:

DFC:

Tony Kessell, Tommy Osborne, Steve Norman, John Guest, Richard Avery, Lew Watts (Brad Potter 57), Mark Green, Jay May, Brendon Cass, Eddie McClements, Ryan Hayes (Steve Hafner 74)

Subs not used: Carl Bruce, Ryan Briggs, James Tedder

DHFC: Simon Overland, Jason Turley, Gavin Dayes (Phil Williams 74), Justyn Roberts, Jamie Coyle, Lewis Tozer, Shawn Beveney, Kenny Beaney, Leigh Bremner (Daniel Morris 63), Damien Scannell, Mazin Ahmad (Serge Musungu 68)

Substitutes not used: Nicolas Plumain, David Milton

Cautions: Lewis Tozer

Attendance: 1,409

Referee: Mr Ashvin Degnarain

Assistant Referees: Mr Ross Wooding & Mr Arif Khalfe

Goalscoring:

1-0 DFC Jay May 7^th minute

1-1 DHFC Phil Williams 83^rd minute

The players and officials line up pre-match for a minute's silence in memory of long-time Darts supporter Raymond Fuller


Have Boreham Wood fans defected?


It went that way!


Mazin Ahmad on the ball


Catch me if you can!


This week's spot the ball contest. No winners yet!


Damien Scannell attempts a shot on goal from the edge of the area


Dulwich throw up the big boys for a freekick


An acrobatic effort from Leigh Bremner but no luck this time.


Damien Scannell shapes to shoot but this effort goes wide of the mark

Dulwich Hamlet 0 Maidstone United 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 24^th March 2007

Table-topping Stones departed Champion Hill much the happier after this pulsating stalemate, combined with a late Leatherhead equaliser at Hastings, cemented their position at the head of the pack. For Dulwich though much soul-searching ahead as the season enters its final throes, a third winless outing on the spin dropping them perilously close to the trapdoor out of the play-off places. The goalscoring prowess that so lit up the league not long ago seems to have withered on the vine just as the lock has been turned on defence, once notoriously porous now more miserly than Moliere's Harpagon.

Dulwich welcomed back Captain Fantastic, Jamie Coyle, after injury had ruled him out of the disappointing draw on Whyteleafe’s Saharan sward whilst recalling Serge Musungu to the starting line-up in place of Leigh Bremner. Ominously too the Stones were at full-strength, though they chose to make two switches from the side that had struggled to put down the challenge of Horsham YMCA a week earlier, promoting one-time Hamlet reserve Alex Tiesse to the starting line-up in place of Lynden Rowland whilst the tricky Nick Hegley took the place of Simon Austin. It was the latter player who to prove the Stones greatest weapon in attack, his unwavering appetite for assault on the Hamlet right flank a constant source of irritation to the Dulwich defence.

Despite season's end mere weeks away, the early spring sunshine of Church Road had been replaced by a biting, chilly wind, flecked with icy rain but for the 611 huddled into Champion Hill the white heat of a lusty encounter was enough to ward off the worst of the elements. Stalemate this may have been but Shawn Beveney out on the right wing opened up space on the right wing for a tempting cross but with no one waiting for the delivery, ‘keeper Pat Mullin was able to make a comfortable collection. A hearty challenge by Aaron Lacy on Gavin Dayes in the centre-circle as he drove up field laid the foundations for a swift counter from the visitors, Mo Takalobighashi sneaking in behind Coyle to meet an oblique pass over the defender. Cutting back he attempted to beat Simon Overland at his near post but was denied as the big Hamlet custodian dropped on the ball with Tiesse hovering. Not long after a deep Maidstone corner was flicked on to Ryan Takalobighashi. Stones skipper Sam Tydeman found the lively Hegley who furnished Takalobighashi with a neat flicked delivery, the striker letting rip with a furious effort as he fell, the ball seemingly destined to rent the net until Overland flung himself high to tip the explosive shot on to his crossbar. 33 minutes and Royston's intervention not only cut out a Hamlet attack on the right but his pass up the line sent Hegley scampering away down the wing, his cross picking out Takalobighashi only for the hitman to stab the ball wide from close range. A clumsy challenge gave the Stones a free kick and the chance to atone but after the ball had pinged around the Dulwich area, it fell to Royston, the burly defender slashed at his shot and driving the ball well wide of the far post. Fortune favoured the Hamlet goal once more within two minutes as Hegley turned on the gas to cut a swathe through the Hamlet's right flank, a shot deflected across the face of goal, Takalobighashi unable to provide the killer touch as the ball bounced across his path at the back stick. Maidstone quickly made menacing moves once more as another who had graced the Pink and Blue, Errison Ahwan got his head to a free kick but Overland was quick to claim the ball as Takalobighashi threatened.

If Dame Fortune had smiled upon the Hamlet defence, she soon turned her gaze away from the hosts as Stones custodian Mullin benefited from a large dose of luck to deny Musungu. The ball slipped into the marauding Dulwich striker after Dayes and Beveney had swapped passes in the middle of the park, Musungu bear an onrushing Mullin to the ball, attempting a sweet chip over the ‘keeper only for the ball to bounce off the head of an oblivious Mullin before being cleared to safety.

The second half was a reprise, full-throttle, full-throated, Dulwich claiming a greater share of the chances, Stones continuing to threaten. Worrying early moments for the visitors as their inspirational leader, Tydeman fell awkwardly under challenge in the centre circle, rived by the healing hands and magic of sponge of physio Tim Warden. A Hamlet free kick pumped in was won by the head of Dayes, the ball cleared only to Williams but he larruped his volley wide of the target. Key weapon in the Stones, the ballistic throw-ins of Craig Roser had been dealt with efficiently by the Dulwich rearguard, that was until the 55^th minute when one was allowed to bounce only for Tiesse to waste the chance, weakly stabbing wide of the far upright.

Again Hegley ripped at the Hamlet flank's, turning inside Coyle, dribbling the ball along the back line before pulling the ball back into the six yard box only for Overland to smother the ball at the second attempt. Tiesse paid the price for his miss soon after as Rowland rose from the bench to replace him.

All afternoon Dayes and referee Atkin left out a dangerous Hamlet move stillborn, the referee calling play back for an innocuous foul on Dayes that saw substitute Barton cautioned.

Two minutes of "normal" time remained, though stoppage time stretched out to infinity. On came Mazin Ahmad for Musungu to intensify the pressure on the Stones goal. 45 minutes, Coyle swept the ball in from the right wing, Dayes leapt highest to win the header, the ball dropping at the feet of Damien Scannell but the ball larruped high over the goal. Five minutes into injury time, Beveney muscled away the challenges of the Trojan Royston and his skipper Tydeman and, from 25 yards, unleashed a strike, laced with venom, that fizzed agonisingly wide of the top corner of Mullin's net. Still the Hamlet threw all at the Stones. Deep, deep into the time added on the Hamlet came so close to snatching victor. Breaking fast out of defence, the Stones rearguard was ripped apart by a Pink and Blue tidal wave, the ball working its way to an unmarked Ahmad attacking wide on the right. From an acute angle Ahmad let rip but his fierce shot found its match in Mullin who launched himself right to batter the ball away and frustrate Hamlet at the death.

Teams:

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Gavin Dayes; Justyn Roberts; Jamie Coyle (Capt.); Lewis Tozer; Shawn Beveney; Kenny Beaney; Serge Musungu (Mazin Ahmad 43); Damien Scannell; Phil Williams

Substitutes not used: Stanley Muguo; Leigh Bremner; Nicolas Plumain; David Milton

Cautions: Gavin Dayes

MUFC: Pat Mullin; Nathan Paul; Craig Roser; Errison Ahwan; Mario McNish; Ryan Royston; Sam Tydeman (Capt); Aaron Lacy; Mo Takalobighashi (Jason Barton 79); Alex Tiesse (Lynden Rowland 60); Nick Hegley (Simon Austin 80)

Substitutes not used: Lee Shearer; Michal Czanner (GK)

Cautions: Jason Barton

Attendance: 611

Officials:

Referee: Mr Warren Atkin (Crawley)

Assistant Referees: Mr Wayne Ingram (New Malden) & Mr John Ryan (Worcester Park)

Whyteleafe 1 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 18^th March 2007

Sun-dappled Church Road, bucolic abode of homely Whyteleafe, may well prove to be the final resting place of Dulwich Hamlet's Championship dreams after this lacklustre draw against determined, if attack-shy, hosts. Some might blame the parched Church Road turf, bearing more resemblance to a pre-season Saharan dustbowl, played a part in Hamlet's failure to capture all three points on offer, severely hampering Dulwich's attempts to play the sweet flowing football that had ravaged a ragged ‘Leafe when last the sides had met. Others would point to the performance of one Carl Emberson between the posts for the ‘Leafe, defying the years and gravity to pull off one amazing first save to claw the ball away for a corner after Dulwich debutante Damien Scannell had held off the challenge of brace of defenders in the chase for a long ball out of defence, chipping the time-worn ‘keeper only to watch in amazement as the ball was acrobatically kept out. The former Hamlet man was aided and abetted in defensive duties by two others, late of this parish, who performed manfully in defence, the Colossus of Church Road, skipper Danny Arkwright (if Emberson is evergreen this man is a Giant Sequoia) and another for whom time seems to have stood still, Ali Reeve. By hook or by crook, Reeve kept the pacy Hamlet attack in check, though the odd broadside, particularly one on Phil Williams, did go unnoticed by the officials. Perhaps too the changes made in the wake of the Tooting reverse played there part, new boy Scannell leading the attack alongside Leigh Bremner, Phil Williams returning to the starting line-up as both Serge Musungu and Mazin Ahmad were dropped to the bench. Also missing talismanic skipper Jamie Coyle, injury precluding his participation.

As fans dozed in the early spring sunshine, there was little to rouse them from their slumbers bar the acrobatics of the Emberson. Stumbling backwards as he shot Bremner failed to test the ‘keeper with a shot stabbed wide from the edge of the area but again in the thick of it, the ‘Leafe custodian made a fine block at the feet of Scannell as the striker threatened from the left corner of the six yard box. Then at last a goal! 37 minutes on the clock and Kenny Beaney pumps a free kick into the heart of the Whyteleafe penalty area. Defenders dither, the ball reaches Shawn Beveney but his attempt on goal is smothered only for the ball to run to Lewis Tozer, skippering the XI in the injury-enforced absence of Jamie Coyle. He swivels eight yards from goal, drives the ball past a static Emberson and somehow, despite the presence of a last defender on the goal line, the ball squirms through his legs and trickles into the net.

The lead lasted barely four minutes as ‘Leafe drew level with their first meaningful chance of a barren half. All Hamlet's defensive eyes focussed on Arkwright, the attention was switched instead to Sean Rivers who rose virtually unchallenged as Callum McLean delivered a free kick to the back of the box, a firm header from the ‘Leafe man and the ball was succinctly planted in the back of Simon Overland's net.

In the final minute of the half, Whyteleafe might well have had a second, as imbued with new-found attacking vigour, they started to come out of their shell. A storming run from McLean provided the catalyst and though his charge was smothered on the edge of the area by the combined challenges of Jason Turley and Justyn Roberts, the ball ran into the path of Leon McDowall who unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot that singed the woodwork as it flew over the bar of Overland.

Hamlet made an early change six minutes into the second half as Bremner, his industry failing to reap dividends, was replaced by Musungu. Still the game failed to rise above a gentle adagio, ‘Leafe threatened more but Hamlet still held the upper hand, if failing to turn territorial advantage into that of the goalscoring kind.

On the hour mark, the pitch claimed its first victim as Richard Williams stumbled backwards as he went to take a throw-in. The incident brought chuckles and guffaws all round, but concerns were raised as Williams clambered to his feet in an attempt to retake the throw only to collapse in an agonised heap. On came yet another former Hamlet man, Ellis Conroy, whilst a distressed Williams was helped from the field to be taken to hospital where an x-ray revealed a fracture to the unfortunate lad's tibia.

On 68 minutes Phil Williams finally got the better of the obdurate Reeve, the defender taking revenge and his opponent's legs as the Hamlet winger burst into the box. Penalty and a chance once more for Dulwich to regain the lead they had squandered. Up stepped Scannell, hoping to mark his competitive debut in Pink and Blue with a goal, but evergreen Emberson had other ideas, diving to his left to parry away the spot kick then bravely throwing himself on the ball as Scannell attempting to atone for his miss and stab home the rebound.

With ten minutes left, Mazin Ahmad replaced a subdued Beveney but even this injection of pace could not provide the fillip the game desperately needed. Best of the Hamlet chances came when Nicolas Plumain let fly with a low drive from fully thirty yards out that bounced awkwardly on the arid terrain but was still comfortably smothered by Emberson diving left. A late resurgence from ‘Leafe might even have sent the points their way, Overland's coming under sustained threat for perhaps the first time in the game, but despite forcing a number of corners, ‘Leafe could not find the opening to steal victory.

Teams:

WFC: Carl Emberson; Richard Williams (Ellis Conroy 60); Carlo Castrechino; Ali Reeve; Danny Arkwright (Capt.); Danny Boxall; Callum McLean; Robert Smith (Chris O'Flaherty 77); Sean Rivers; Danny Platel (Joe Clark 77); Leon McDowell

Substitutes not used: Michael Riley; Danny Coote (GK)

Cautions: Robert Smith

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Gavin Dayes; Justyn Roberts; Nicolas Plumain; Lewis Tozer (Capt) (Stanley Muguo 70); Shawn Beveney (Mazin Ahmad 81); Kenny Beaney; Leigh Bremner (Serge Musungu 53); Damien Scannell; Phil Williams

Substitutes not used: Matt Dean; David Milton

Attendance: 264

Officials:

Referee: Mr T Power

Assistant Referees: Mr R Wilkins & Mr P Wood

Goalscoring:

1-0 DHFC Lewis Tozer 37^th minute

1-1 WFC Sean Rivers 40^th minute

As usual click on the pictures to see a larger version.

Dulwich Hamlet 0 Tooting and Mitcham United 2

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Tuesday 13^th March 2007

Cold-bloodedly efficient, Tooting and Mitcham boosted their own promotion aspirations with a well-regimented suffocation of the Hamlet's free flowing football, whilst simultaneously pricking the hopes of their hosts of closing the gap on leaders Maidstone. Playing to the battle plan of that wily old fox Billy Smith, the grey haired general's blueprints for victory ruthlessly executed by a willing band of foot soldiers to whom flair was an anathema but success was not.

Those amongst the 400 + who arrived in expectation of a repeat of the 13 goal FA Trophy thriller would have been sorely disappointed but purists of the defensive game might have hummed in contented delight as Tooting's five man defence, swallowed whole the Hamlet's attack, whilst midfield was surrendered to the visitors, at times without a whimper.

Hamlet might have grabbed the lead before the Tooting stranglehold took hold, silky skills from Serge Musungu, dancing across the face of the penalty area, set up Mazin Ahmad for a shot low from 20 yards but gargantuan goalie Dave King swiftly got his down to the strike shovelling the ball behind for a corner. However that soon paled into insignificance as Tooting drew first blood on the quarter hour. Justyn Roberts was penalised for a late challenge, a yellow card a personal punishment but for the Hamlet worse followed as Matt York pumped the dead ball deep to the back of the six yard where Joe Vines rose high above the crowd of players to meet the ball with a thumping header that found a home in the back of the net.

Hamlet answered and it took a neat steal of the ball from the toes of Ahmad as he charged in to meet a Leigh Bremner cross, before a quick fire Bremner strike curled wide at the last after Ahmad's explosive burst through the middle had created the opening.

Amidst the artisans of Tooting, there was still space for an artist, one Ronnie Green, late of this Hamlet, but now plying his trade in the monochrome stripe of their fiercest rivals. Tricky skills blighted by a weak finish before the merest of deflections took a shot wide after he had ghosted to the edge of the area to unleash a powerful strike. 32 minutes, a Tooting corner and again the Hamlet rearguard was dwarfed by a towering header from Romald Bouadji but the Frenchman was left unfulfilled as Simon Overland flung himself to his right to batter the ball away one-handed. The big Hamlet custodian was twice more called into action before the break to prevent the Terrors adding to their lead, first battering down a fierce angled strike from Green after a long pass had picked him out loitering on the far side of the area, then smothering a ferocious bullet of a drive from Paul Vines after the bullish centre forward had stampeded away down the left wing.

Second half brought a tactical switch from the Hamlet management as Ahmad and Musungu made way for David Milton and Phil Williams but hopes that the two pacy replacements lay the foundations for a telling inject of goals soon flounder as Green gained reward for his industry. Skipper Allan McLeod's lofted cross in from the left wing should have been comfortably dealt with but a weak defensive header dropped at the feet of the lurking Green and nipped past the last defender before driving a low shot past Overland.

The vice tightened around the Hamlet. Williams danced up field, but 4 striped shirts suffocating him his final ball proved harmless. A Hamlet corner was met by Gavin Dayes, his downward header bouncing wide of King's near upright, the Tooting custodian unnerved as the ball skimped the woodwork. A quick throw found Shawn Beveney, the rare oxygen of space perhaps intoxicating his brain as the ball was larruped over the crossbar from 20 yards.

Another Hamlet corner, into a six yard box more packed than the 7:45 to London Bridge, pinged around as first attacker then defender attempted a poke goalwards or otherwise, before finding Jamie Coyle wide right, a swinging cross almost deceiving King until the giant custodian rose on tiptoes to palm the ball over the bar.

Paul Vines should have done better when Tooting exploited the gaps in defence, the ball finding Dean Hamlin alone on the right but when he supplied his striker the ball was stabbed just wide. Indeed Tooting were building on the foundation of those impassable monoliths in defence, the visitors looking the more likely to score though goalmouth threats were few. Not until the final minutes did either goal again look truly in danger when the men in Pink and Blue pitched up in the Tooting goalmouth for a corner. Again the space was limited, the ball bounced around in a crazy bagatelle but fortune favoured the defence as Coyle's attempt looped off a defender into the waiting arms of King. As he attempted to clear the ball up field, he clashed with Dayes as the Hamlet man held his ground, the incident provoking a mild confrontation, at odds with previous derby eruptions, that soon subsided and saw first Dayes, then King the recipients of the evening's final cautions.

Teams:

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Gavin Dayes; Justyn Roberts; Jamie Coyle (Capt.); Lewis Tozer; Shawn Beveney; Kenny Beaney (Sol Pinnock 60); Leigh Bremner; Serge Musungu (David Milton HT); Mazin Ahmad (Phil Williams HT)

Substitutes not used: Nicolas Plumain; Stanley Muguo

T&MUFC: Dave King; Oliver Hunt; Dean Hamlin; Matt York; Allan McLeod; Romald Bouadji; Vernon Francis; Joe Vines; Paul Vines; Ben Abbey (Jason Pinnock 85); Ronnie Green

Substitutes not used: Eben Allen; Aaron Day; Colin Hartburn; Adam Broomhead

Attendance: 414

Officials:

Referee: Mr Steve Briffitt (Shirley)

Assistant Referees: Mr Alex Neil (Woodmansterne) & Mr Chris Phillips (Carshalton Beeches)

Goalscoring:

0-1 T&M Joe Vines 15^th minute

0-2 T&M Ronnie Green 48^th minute

Dulwich Hamlet 3 Leatherhead 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 10^th March 2007

Slowly but surely the promotion pack is stringing out as the title challengers look to step up the pace and make that vital break away from the peleton. Victory over a below par Leatherhead, missing the talismanic Dave Stevens, captain and leading scorer, ensuring that Dulwich kept pace with that slowly thinning promotion pack, the Tanners confidently brushed aside. Defeat for the visitors may well have provided a fatal blow to their own hopes of an invite to the play-off party but the jostling below the title race is such that clubs that might have already been dreaming of an early summer break might now find themselves making room for an extra game or two come season's end.

This was a fractious encounter, peppered by cautions and not lacking the ugly dismissal which is almost de rigueur in clashes between two sides. Both sides were missing their leading striker, albeit for differing reasons, the Hamlet's Chris Dickson rested at the request of Charlton Athletic following an impressive run out with the Addicks' Reserves in midweek that saw him bag a quick fire brace against Fulham's second string. Ah the penalties for success, the big boys climbing over the fence to scrump your finest apples. For the Tanners that former Hamlet hero, usurped King of the Hill, Stevens sat out his return to SE22 suspended. The absence of the dynamic Dickson sent a clarion call out to Serge Musungu to once again don his striker's motley, a task he took to with relish helping himself to a double late in the first half sending a happy Hamlet to the dressing rooms with a comfortable two goal advantage. Whilst Musungu was resuming goalscoring duties his role in the engine room returned to the remit of Kenny Beaney, making his reappearance after a brief sojourn with the tenants of Champion Hill, Fisher Athletic.

Exasperatingly the opening passage of play was patchy, punctuated by a plethora of frustrating felonies, primarily by the visitors as foul then free kick framed the first exchanges. Dulwich might have felt they had the better of the rare openings that materialised, the Tanners goal threatened most. Five minutes in Leigh Bremner was released into the penalty area, but forced wide by ‘keeper Paul Borg who blocked the initial attempt. The ball ran kindly for Mazin Ahmad, whose tricky charge along the back line exposed the goal but again Borg was on hand to block though a wicked rebound off the incoming Ahmad might have caused more problems but for a timely hook to safety as the ball threatened to drop for Musungu.

Lynvall Duncan's crude challenge on Ahmad in the left pocket brought him a severe talking to from the referee but more importantly gave Dulwich a dangerous free kick, lashed in by Duncan's prey, Ahmad. It took a neat header from Dean Carpenter, ducking in ahead of Bremner to nod the ball behind for a corner. On the quarter hour another Leatherhead offence saw Captain Jamie Coyle rise to meet a sweetly flighted ball in but flicking his header just wide of the target.

Referee Mr Brook finally lost patience with the niggling play of the visitors on 20 minutes when Iain Hendry found himself the first of the afternoon's plethora of cards, more for what had gone before than the offence he had just committed. Something suddenly sparked in the visitors, corners were forced and the first attempt of note from a Tanners' player but frustratingly for the pocket of travelling fans Steve Sargent lashed his opening wildly wide of the goal.

‘Keeper Borg showed prodigious juggling skills not long after as he rushed from his area to head the ball away from an inrushing Bremner before turning to hook the ball back over his head as Musungu attempted to lob the ball over him. Beaney latched on the ball, feeding the hungry Shawn Beveney wide on the right but a moment to long to control the ball and Borg was fling himself in the path of the big Guyanese's strike. Still the danger had not passed, the ball flew across the six yard box, colleted by Ahmad tight to the corner flag, corner by a pair of burly defenders but with the grace of a Nureyev he left them in his wake, dancing through the tackles along the fringes of the penalty area, lacking only the finishing touches as the final strike flew harmlessly wide of Borg's goal.

Overworked Borg was back in the thick of it again as he hacked the ball clear after Bremner had been released down the right flank but all his heroics came to naught with 8 minutes left of the half as his rearguard went absent with leave. A ball out of defence headed back over the last line of defence was allowed to drop and Musungu nipped in before Borg could arrive to coolly lift the ball over a custodian spread at his feet, watching as the ball bounced into the now unprotected net.

Half time beckoned when Hamlet produced a number 2 courtesy of the same player though the architect this time was Bremner. Scampering away down the right wing as sluggish defenders looked in vain for a flag to rescue them, Bremner lashed over a teasing cross though the corridor of uncertainty in front of Borg's goal and towards Musungu dashing in at the back stick. Sticking out a foot Musungu's touch was the perfect, if awkward looking, finish to the move and despite the best efforts of a flying Borg to keep the ball from crossing the line, the ball found its home nestling in the net.

A frantic five minutes opened the second half. Musungu almost repaid the favour to Bremner but his pull back was too far behind his strike partner. Leatherhead might well have had a penalty as the ball bounced up against the hand of Gavin Dayes but went unnoticed by the man in black. Borg again proved his defence's only lifeline, first bravely smothering the ball at the feet of Bremner then battering the ball over the crossbar from point blank range after Ahmad had led the defence a merry dance once more.

Time for an injection of something, anything, for the lacklustre Tanners so on came Julien Thompson for James Greenaway, the replacement almost having an instant effect as he set up a shooting chance for Gavin Bolger 18 yards out but his stabbed attempt had neither the power nor the direction to beat Simon Overland guarding the Dulwich net. Not so Borg who had to be on his toes to hack the ball away from Bremner moments later as Musungu slipped the ball through to him.

A caution for Bolger as he cynically tripped Lewis Tozer became the precursor to the descent of the red mist upon Champion Hill. Matches between these two protagonists are seldom without their flashpoints and this afternoon was little exception as Stewart Holmes took great exception to the close attentions of Bremner, turning on his persecutor and flinging him to the floor, the testosterone boiling to the surface as the two sets of players squared up to one another. When at last the dust had settled Holmes participation was at an end, a red card flourished soon to be followed by a yellow for Bremner for his part in proceedings. A quick conversation between assistant and referee and Tanners coach Steve Wood too was dispatched from the arena.

Against ten men one might have expected Hamlet to up the tempo and polish off their decimated opponents, but though Musungu was millimetres away from connecting with a neatly chipped in ball from Ahmad, closest in the aftermath of the dismissal was Scott Bennetts, hooking the ball goalwards after a free kick had been headed across to him, only to find Dulwich's Goliath of the Goalmouth, Overland waiting at his right-hand upright to pluck the ball out of the ether.

Not till the final minutes did the passion reignite, Borg denied first Ahmad then Beveney with smart blocks at their feet before substitute defender Danny Lavender ventured upfield for a Tanners' free kick, latching on to a half-clearance but volleying the ball tamely wide of the upright. With Leatherhead anxiously awaiting relief from Mr Brook's whistle, Coyle iced the cake whilst Ahmad plopped the cherry on top as goal number 3 arrived four minutes into stoppage time. Tyro substitute David Milton was played in denied by Borg working overtime as he spread himself to block the ball at Milton's feet, only for it to run kindly into the path of skipper Coyle who glanced up and picked out Ahmad at the back of the box, the cross a work of perfection met firmly by the head of Ahmad outjumping taller defenders, the ball firmly planted in the back of the net.

The result leaves Dulwich still in third place as both leaders Maidstone and second Hastings United won 3-1 at Molesey and home to Fleet respectively. A Ryan Hayes hat trick keeps Dartford fourth but none of the next five managed victories, Tooting denied a victory at Dover by a Tommy Tyne penalty, Met Police beaten at Cray, Fleet downed at the Pilot Field, Hastings, and you know the Leatherhead result. Those results awakened play-off hopes for dark horses Horsham YMCA, 4-1 destroyers of a Corinthian-Casuals side, rock bottom and with four players suspended for the trip to Sussex. The battle at the bottom saw Ashford drive another nail in the coffin of Godalming despite a late rally from the G's, the Nuts'n'Bolts o'erleaping their relegation rivals.

Teams:

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Gavin Dayes (Stanley Muguo 77); Justyn Richards; Jamie Coyle (Capt); Lewis Tozer; Shawn Beveney; Kenny Beaney; Leigh Bremner (David Milton 85); Serge Musungu (Sol Pinnock 85); Mazin Ahmad

Substitutes not used: Phil Williams; Nicolas Plumain

Cautions: Leigh Bremner 62; Kenny Beaney 65

LFC: Paul Borg; Jamie Beer; Dean Carpenter (Danny Lavender HT); Lynvall Duncan; Iain Hendry; Stewart Holmes; Steve Sargent; James Greenaway (Julien Thompson 53); Marc Charles-Smith; Gavin Bolger; Scott Bennetts (Joe Sheerin 81)

Substitutes not used: Paul Sears; Mark Harper

Cautions: Iain Hendry 20; Gavin Bolger 61; Joe Sheerin 90+1

Dismissals: Stewart Holmes (Violent Conduct 62)

Attendance: 338

Officials:

Referee: Mr Carl Brook (St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex)

Assistant Referees: Mr Michael Webb (Woking, Surrey) & Mr David Moran (Aldershot, Hampshire)

Goalscoring:

1-0 DHFC Serge Musungu (37^th minute)

2-0 DHFC Serge Musungu (45^th minute)

3-0 DHFC Mazin Ahmad (90^th minute (4^th minute of stoppage time))

Godalming Town 0 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 3^rd March 2007

Too often the struggling clubs have proved a stumbling block for the Hamlet but yesterday they returned victorious from rural Surrey after a hard-fought victory against determined opposition, ready to battle for every point in their pursuit of Isthmian League survival. Victory was vital for elsewhere the Dartford were being stoned by their Kent rivals, triumphant Maidstone recording win number seven of seven and cementing their lead at the head of the table. Hastings also won, mid-table mediocrity long forgotten at the Pilot Field, to stay second. Dulwich the only other team in the top eight at the start of play to take all three points.

Injury to Gavin Dayes meant a change for Wayne Burnett's XI as Cedric Meeko returned to the starting line-up, though that was the only switch from the Met Police stalemate. The G's unveiled new signing from AFC Wimbledon Jon Boswell for his home debut whilst Andy Parkinson hung on the goalkeeper's gloves despite conceding a trio at Leatherhead on his return to the first team, whilst simultaneously trying to banish the demons of that late September night at Champion Hill.

The Weycourt ground of hosts Godalming had squeezed through a late morning inspection though the effects of the heavy overnight rain were all too easy to spot on a rutted, undulating playing surface. The pitch, bumpy and boggy, proved a major stumbling block in the Hamlet's endeavours to stick to the beautiful game but a porous defence provided copious opportunities for Dulwich's attack to make incisive runs on goal. As early as the fifth minute Chris Dickson broke through only to be denied by the feet of ‘keeper Andy Parkinson, whilst fancy footwork from Shawn Beveney out on the right wing saw him attempt an audacious chip effort from the acutest of angles.

The home side had their chances too none more so than when a lightning breakaway from a Hamlet corner saw Michael Ruffles through on goal only for Dulwich custodian Simon Overland to bravely smother the ball at his feet. Overland was again called into action when the hosts were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area, the big number one reacting smartly to save low at his left hand post as Danny Newman drove the ball towards the bottom corner.

A long clearance out of defence from Justyn Roberts laid the foundations for an attack of promise as Leigh Bremner headed the ball on into the path of Dickson, only for Parkinson to show acute awareness of the danger, rushing from his goal to hack the ball away from the onrushing Hamlet hitman.

Dozing in the Dulwich defence might have been costly as the half hour rolled by, Newman's neat chip across goal met by the head of an unmarked Shaun Elliott, but he failed to get the purchase on his header, Overland saving smartly low down. Moments later Dulwich attacked again but once more Parkinson proved his side's saviour. Dickson held off the last defender to bear down on Parkinson's net, but the ‘keeper proved his nemesis blocking the strike with his feet. The ball ran towards Bremner, lurking near the penalty spot, but the split second he took to control the ball on the furrowed turf was all the time Parkinson needed to recover his ground and batter out the strike.

Just when it seemed as if the deadlock might not be broken before the break, the Hamlet at last found the path to goal. Mazin Ahmad flattened 5 yards beyond the box, the same player chipping in a tempting free kick, only for a defender to head clear but straight at the feet of Serge Musungu who made space and shot. If there was anything fortuitous about the deflection that took the ball into the path of skipper Jamie Coyle, fortune played no part in the finish, a cracking low drive that flew unerringly into the bottom far corner of the net, Parkinson at last powerless to prevent it finding its ultimate target.

With the interval looming that lead might have evaporated had Elliott made more of his chance, his drive from the edge of the area proving no more than an irritant for Overland who smothered at the base of his upright. There was still time for the Hamlet to launch one last attack, the impressive Beveney sweeping masterfully through the heart of the Godalming defence, but ‘twas a pity the final was devoid of the power to beat Parkinson.

Beveney continued to work his magic as the second half began in earnest, dancing into the box, a fierce strike deflected into the path of Bremner whose shot from a tight angle was blocked low at the base of the post by the overworked Parkinson. An audacious back heel from Dickson sent the ball to Beveney but he snatched at the chance sending the ball high over the crossbar from close range.

In no mood to lay down Godalming capitalised on a mistake in defence, Liam Grier lashing a fearsome effort goalwards only to be denied by the bravery of Lewis Tozer, laid out by the force of the strike but thwarting a potential goal. Yellow shirts swarmed forwards, Tozer robbed of the ball 25 yards out but Newman's attempt to place the ball into the top corner of the net proved futile as the ball sailed harmlessly wide.

But for Parkinson the game might have been up for the hosts long before the final whistle. Twice he thwarted the Hamlet, blocking with his feet to keep out a cracker from Bremner letting rip barely eight yards from goal, then getting his body behind a fulsome master blaster from Dickson, the striker pulling the trigger from 20 yards out. Those saves gave Godalming hope, but just one surpassing all those dashed them in an instant. A deep cross found the head of Newman, a loud cheer went up from the home crowd but somehow the ball had stayed out. The danger not passed but somehow Overland kept out Newman's second attempt again from point-blank range, albeit with an outstretched leg.

With ten minutes left Beveney cemented his performance with the goal that at last put daylight between the two combatants, powering imperiously towards goal having collected the ball on the halfway line. As the yellow sea parted before him, the goal hove into view and the big man let crack with a precise drive that had Parkinson flinging himself across the goal in vain as the net ruffled and the Hamlet cheered.

Three minutes from time, Godalming might have gained some recompense for their refusal to bid goodbye to the Isthmian League too early, a free kick in flicked back across goal to Newman at the back stick but his header was meat and drink to Overland who bravely threw himself to the floor amid a flurry of feet to pounce on the ball.

Victory left the Hamlet faithful wreathed in smiles, as much of relief as of joy, thankful that they had at last negotiated the tricky hurdle of a club struggling in the basement. Thoughts though will quickly turn to a hat-trick of home games over the coming ten days that might answer the question of whether Dulwich possess what it takes to wrestle back the leadership when it most matters. Fleet (Tuesday 6^th March KO 7:45 pm), Leatherhead (Saturday 10^th March KO 3:00 pm) and the visit of Tooting (Tuesday 13^th March KO 7:45 pm) make Champion Hill the place to be.

Add this victory to results elsewhere and the fog starts to clear in the promotion picture. Maidstone hammered Kent rivals Dartford to record a 7^th win on the spin to cement their lead at the head of the pack. Hastings' inexorable rise through the ranks continues apace as they recovered from a goal down at Walton Casuals to stay second, one win ahead of the Hamlet in third, but having played a game more. Stoned at Bourne Park, Dartford remain fourth whilst fifth placed Dover were left twiddling their thumbs after a waterlogged pitch denied them a trip to Tolworth and Corinthian-Casuals. Of the teams on the fringe of the play-off places, Fleet and Tooting were both held to home draws by lower opposition, Met Police had the evergreen Jon Daly to thank for a narrow victory at home to Molesey whilst Leatherhead slipped to a, perhaps, surprising defeat against dark horses to sneak a play-off spot, Horsham YMCA.

For the Hamlet's victims, Godalming the spectre of a rapid return to the Combined Counties looms ever larger. Neither of their rivals in the drop zone played, the rain claiming the scalps of the games at Ashford and Casuals, leaving Godalming precariously perched three points ahead of the second bottom Nuts'n'Bolts but with four less games to play.

Teams:

GTFC: Andy Parkinson; Jon Boswell; Simon Hamilton; James Mariner (Capt.); Martin Beard; Chris Boulter; Ahmed Tchankou; Liam Grier; Michael Ruffles; Danny Newman; Shaun Elliott

Substitutes not used: Jack Hollins; Jamie Laister; Roger Steer; Gary Aulsberry (GK); Henry Robins

Cautions: Jon Boswell 82 (Foul), Martin Beard (Dissent) 83

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Cedric Meeko; Justyn Roberts; Jamie Coyle (Capt.); Lewis Tozer (Nicolas Plumain 84); Shawn Beveney; Serge Musungu (Stanley Muguo 72); Leigh Bremner; Chris Dickson (David Milton 84); Mazin Ahmad

Substitutes not used: Phil Williams; Sol Pinnock

Caution: Cedric Meeko 66 (Foul)

Attendance: 145

Officials:

Referee: Mr Andy Laver

Assistant Referees: Mr Philip Nicholas & Mr Robert Bell

Goalscoring:

1-0 DHFC Jamie Coyle 38^th minute

2-0 DHFC Shawn Beveney 80^th minute

Dulwich Hamlet 0 Met Police 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 24^th February 2007

Stalemate at the Hill as Dulwich's rampant scoring run was brought to a shuddering halt by a Met Police side obviously intent from the first that they would not be beaten, even if this meant unentertaining fare for a fulsome crowd. However the unadventurous game plan of the boys in blue, albeit clad in their away strip of canary yellow, could prove just as damaging to their hopes of creeping into to a play-off spot as it could to the Hamlet's hope of overhauling leaders Maidstone whose 4-1 crushing of Croydon Athletic at Mayfields opened up a five point gap at the top.

Though the starting line remained unchanged from their triumph at Kingsmeadow, Dulwich recalled both Nicolas Plumain and Cedric Meeko to the substitutes' bench as their suspensions expired. Also making the bench was defensive midfielder Stanley Muguo, called up from the reserves. The Police too, despite and extensive squad from which to select had suffered an injury crisis of late, though seemed a maguffin for this so-called predicament had also coincided with a strong run of results that had powered them to the very fringes of the play-off places.

There was little goalmouth action of note in the early exchanges bar a firm Justyn Roberts header from a free kick that required a smart save at the base of his right-hand post from the Copper's custodian Will Packham. Opposite number Simon Overland was then tested but by one of his own as Lewis Tozer's wayward header from a Met Police free kick looped goalwards but the big Hamlet number one was unflustered as he leapt to pluck the ball out of the air with yellow shirts hovering.

The Hamlet should perhaps have done better with the few chances that came their way. Best of these arrived in the 12^th minute courtesy of Leigh Bremner as he was laid in by Shawn Beveney only to drill his shot in the body of Packham.

20 torrid minutes had elapsed when the Police were forced into a hasty reappraisal as Simon Gregory limped from the field to be replaced Ian Batten.

Barely had the Hamlet goal been troubled by the Police until midway through the half when a free kick was met by the head of a stooping Gavin Dayes. Surprised but solid, ‘keeper Simon Overland made light work of this unexpected threat.

Within a minute the Hamlet net was threatened again as James Evans mugged Serge Musungu 30 yards from goal, legitimately in the eyes of referee Mr Regan, a suspicious name indeed for an official at a Met Police game! Without waiting for a whistle or a bellowed "you're goin' darn, you slag!" from Regan, Evans turned to face goal before unleashed a screaming thunderbolt of a strike that seemed destined for the top of the net as Overland stretched every sinew in an attempt to reach the shot. Whether a vital fingertip made the difference is a matter for conjecture but with Evans awaiting the plaudits of his fellows the ball cannoned back down off the underside of the woodwork to be clutched at by a relieved Overland. A cursory glance from referee to his assistant, a shake of the head and play continued much to the dismay of Evans, this particularly police inquiry proving fruitless.

The industrious Tony Finn wasted a fine opening with an off-target shot from distance, matched in turn by Bremner who volleyed over after Dickson had nodded a long pass out of defence into his path. Finn again threatened, cutting back along the backline after an impressive charge up the left wing but his ultimate pullback went unrewarded as Hamlet's defence proved impervious. Moments later Dickson might well have added to his season's impressive tally as he burst through the yellow lines to smack a sweet shot low and goalwards only to strike the outside of the upright.

Just before the break the tempo rose a modicum as a quick free kick for the Police found Ryan Gray, a first time low strike pounced upon and smothered by a diving Overland. Gray was less accurate the next time Dulwich infringement was punished, Tozer penalised for a handball five yards outside the box but escaped further retribution as Gray's wild swing at a short free kick produced a powder-puff shot. Twice in stoppage time Dulwich had chances to lift the game from the slough of despond as first Bremner sent a spectacular diving header just over from Jamie Coyle's rightwing cross then Musungu drove an effort from the edge of the area wide.

The start of the second half brought changes for the Hamlet with Dayes and Mazin Ahmad, both victims of unpunished Police brutality, replaced by Muguo and Phil Williams respectively. In particular Muguo impressed with a solid performance directing operations in front of the central defence.

A first minute Musungu free kick looked destined for the head of Tozer on the edge of the six yard box until a yellow-shirted head intervened. On 8 minutes substitute Muguo played a key role in a sweeping move that might have ended in glory had Williams been able to find the extra inches to meet Coyle's cross. Forcing a corner shortly after, the Hamlet again came frustratingly close as Coyle's header at the back of the six yard box bounced off Dickson's knee and over the bar.

On the hour mark in an uncanny echo of Bremner's disallowed "goal" at Burgess Hill Dickson sent a thunderous strike past Packham having latched on to Bremner's flicked header but the flag had already gone up for a transgression. Moments later Bremner had the chance to at last break the stalemate but a below par finish with only Packham to beat brought groans from a frustrated crowd.

Yet another corner, deep to the back of the box, found Coyle but a well-directed header was gathered in safely by Packham at his back stick, the Met's ‘keeper again denying Dulwich as the half-hour ticked by, punching the ball off the head of the incoming Bremner, who'd launched himself to meet a free kick.

With five minutes left came an interesting substitution, midfielder Meeko replacing attacker Bremner, perhaps to preserve a point though the Police were doing their best to ensure that, shutting up shop in defence and stifling all the Hamlet's invention. Indeed as the game plodded towards its inevitable goalless conclusion, so many yellow shirts packed Packham's penalty area, the box resembled a sea of custard, one the Dulwich strike force, no matter how manfully they strove, were unable to wade through.

Teams:

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Gavin Dayes (Stanley Muguo HT); Justyn Roberts; Jamie Coyle (Capt); Lewis Tozer; Shawn Beveney; Serge Musungu; Leigh Bremner (Cedric Meeko 86); Chris Dickson; Mazin Ahmad (Phil Williams HT)

Substitutes not used: Daniel Jones; Nicolas Plumain

Cautions: Jamie Coyle, Phil Williams

MPFC: Will Packham; Lee Gledhill; Ryan Gray; James Gibson; Simon Gregory (Ian Batten 20); Dave Newman; Stuart Harte; Jon Daly; Adolph Amoako; James Evans (Capt); Tony Finn (Barry Stevens 75)

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

Cautions: Stuart Harte; Lee Gledhill; Steve Potterill; Jon Daly

Attendance: 330

Match Officials:

Referee: Mr Ian Regan (Ashford, Kent)

Assistant Referees: Mr Alex Neil (Woodmansterne, Surrey) & Mr Craig Hicks (Sutton, Surrey)

Kingstonian 2 Dulwich Hamlet 5

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 17^th February 2006

Whisper it quietly but it has been more than two long painful months since last the Hamlet won on their travels. Still though Wayne Burnett's prodigious young tyros clung on like Pink and Blue limpets to top spot as mightier, wealthier, more experienced teams battered away at them until defeat dislodged them as Burgess Hill upset the applecart a fortnight previous. Once though the albatross of leadership was lifted from their necks a different Hamlet emerged, unencumbered by naught but the expectation to entertain, a duty fulfilled to the utmost as Kingstonian were swept aside, Dulwich recording their biggest victory on their opponents' turf since three decades and more had passed and the K's were still ensconced in their former Richmond Road home. Since that heady 5-0 victory on former fields when sideburns and flares ruled the fashion world, neither club has fared well though the fall of the Kingston Empire has spectacularly eclipsed that of the Hamlet. Reduced almost to squatters in what was once their own home, victims of rape and pillage habitually destined to return to the scene of that ordeal, the once proud red and white stripes have a faded hue as the faithful offer supplication in another's temple. Former manager Stuart McIntyre, a man universally popular with all but the fans of whoever's stewardship he holds at the time, had been set adrift some weeks early, the rudder passed to Alan Dowson, a doughty Scot with an enviable record against the Hamlet in his former incarnation in Walton & Hersham's hotseat, his firm hand beginning to steady the ship, four games unbeaten easing the memory of half-a-dozen straight defeats.

A brace of changes for the hosts, Wes Goggin and Liam Cockerill replaced in the starting line-up by that redoubtable warhorse Tommy Moorhouse and sprightly young forward Danny Summers. The Hastings implosion might have tempted Burnett into more defensive strategies. Fat chance; the only worry hung over Gavin Dayes but with a knee swarthed in bandages he held his place in an unchanged starting XI.

Sand traps dotted the usually pristine Kingsmeadow sward but the surface did little to assuage the attacking ambitions of the Hamlet. Five minutes in and a looping header from Justyn Roberts as a phalanx of Pink and Blue clad defenders marched up field for a corner. Minutes later and Roberts was back in his own penalty area making a fine saving tackle at the death as K's swept out of defence, the Hamlet having lost possession at a corner. Buoyed, the K's mounted another attack moments later and this time they were rewarded, albeit thanks to a generous interpretation of Lewis Tozer's tackle on Bobby Traynor just inside the Dulwich penalty area. Traynor, whose run of goals had been instrumental in the K's mini-revival, swept the sand and dirt from his hands then coolly swept the ball to the left of Simon Overland diving right.

With their overlords on the bench clearly peeved by this early concession, the Hamlet hoards upped the ante, bearing down on the home goal with increasing ferocity. Against a club that had found his services surplus to requirement, Mazin Ahmad produced the sweetest of curled free kicks into the six yard box, destined for the head of Leigh Bremner until a red and white clad form intervened to nod the ball behind. Corner produced a red and white stampede up field but with 3 attackers against 2 defenders the chance was wasted as a wing to wing pass found Neil Lampton only for his cross to sail high beyond Overland's goal.

High tensions abounded, Jon Coke and Dayes both cautioned after an ugly clash followed a minute later by the fortuitous goal that would bring the contest level. 19 minutes had elapsed when the ball dropped to Shawn Beveney on the edge of the penalty area, the big Guyanese making space for himself before letting fly with a testing shot that took a wicked deflection off a divot, sending the ball looping over the desperate dive of Luke Garrard.

Further misfortune struck the hosts when first Huckle was forced off with an injury to be replaced by Simon Huckle then Dulwich claimed the go-ahead goal a minute later. The whistle blew for a foul, Hamlet reacted fastest the quick free kick finding the K's defence AWOL and when Jamie Coyle provided the pinpoint delivery in from the right wing Chris Dickson was on hand, or head as the case might be, to nod the ball into the goal at the back of the six yard box. Like a page from "Where's Wally?" one struggled to find a red and white striped shirt in attendance.

Some excellent custodianship from Hamlet Number One Overland helped preserve that slender lead, down smartly at his left hand post to smother a snap shot from Martyn Lee. At the other end Roberts flicked a header wide of the back post from an Ahmad delivery, before Bremner failed to capitalise on the sluggish K's defence, escaping the last man but firing a first time effort into the body of Garrard who'd advanced to edge of his area. An incautious challenge from Dayes on the edge of his own area laid open the chance for K's to fashion an equaliser but again Overland was equal to the task as he would pulled off a crucial save to deny Lee as the K's man drilled the free kick low towards the bottom right hand corner of the net.

With half time fast approaching a Dulwich breakaway might have extended the lead, Dickson finding Beveney storming away on his team-mate's right flank only for Garrard to block his first effort. Beveney managed to chip the ball back into the middle towards the lurking Bremner, the striker shoved away from the approaching cross but referee Mr Rendell saw nothing untoward.

Bremner had the interval to plan his revenge and in fine style he exacted it within three minutes of the restart, making light of the defenders' endeavour to halt his run before turning smartly, leaving the last shadowing defender in limbo and drilling a low shot beyond the dive of Garrard and into the far corner of the net.

To most a two-goal cushion provides a modicum of security, but with the Burnett philosophy in place, Hamlet fans can never rest easy and it too another magnificent Overland save low at the base of his right-hand post, turning away a looped header from the ever-dangerous Traynor. Sacrificed in the cause of victory experienced Julian Sills relinquished the captain's armband as Lee Riddell took his stead in midfield, strong-arm tactics the order of the day. However this stratagem failed to rattle the Hamlet, Summers becoming the fourth booking for the hosts as the hour mark ticked by following through on the battle scared Dayes and fortunate not to see red.

K's Aunt Sally, Garrard, pulled off a fine flying save to deny Dickson almost at point blank range as Tozer's delicate header set up Coyle to find the master marksman. Five minutes later and the hapless home custodian was back in the shooting gallery, only this time it ended the ball being plucked from the net. Ahmad's run to the edge of the box finished smothered by the red and white rearguard. However Beveney was on hand to sweep up the debris turning defenders inside out as he toyed with them on the edge of the area before slamming the ball past the last covering defender with Garrard stranded, drawn from his line.

Bremner came close to making it five when he latched on to Ahmad's slide rule pass, flashing a drive across the face of goal. Then in the early stages of stoppage time, Serge Musungu cemented a magnificent victory as the overworked K's defence was ripped apart, the midfielder haring through to round Garrard and tuck away a fantastic fifth. Two minutes later the Dulwich defence went to sleep allowing Traynor to polish off a last-gasp assault by the hosts, scant consolation but at least it provided one wag with the premise to pronounce, "At least they got a pair of Traynors!"

The victory leaves the title race unbelievably tight with three clubs locked together on 51 points, Dulwich Hamlet, Maidstone United and Hastings United, goal difference the only differentiator. Overnight leaders Dartford, defeated 2-1 at home to now 6^th placed Fleet, slip to 4^th on 50 points, whilst another Kent side, Dover lie 5^th after defeat at Met Police. The two victorious sides now provide the next tests for the Hamlet, the Boys in Blue at Champion Hill this coming Saturday, Fleet sailing into town the following Tuesday.

Teams:

KFC: Luke Garrard; Wayne Finnie; Simon Sobihy; Jon Coke (Simon Huckle 27); Tommy Moorhouse; Julian Sills (Capt.) (Lee Riddell 60); Gary Drewett; Neil Lampton; Bobby Traynor; Danny Summers (Glenn Boosey 82); Martyn Lee

Subs not used: Richard Taylor; Stephen Windegaard

Bookings: Jon Coke; Julian Sills; Tommy Moorhouse; Danny Summers

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley; Gavin Dayes (Billy Manners 90); Justyn Roberts; Jamie Coyle (Capt); Lewis Tozer; Shawn Beveney; Serge Musungu; Leigh Bremner; Chris Dickson (Matt Dean 87); Mazin Ahmad (Theo Fairweather-Johnson 90)

Subs not used: Phil Williams; Daniel Jones

Bookings: Gavin Dayes

Attendance: 377

Officials:

Referee: Mr Lloyd Rendell

Assistant Referees: Mr Graeme Thorley & Mr Robert Dunn

Goalscoring:

1-0 KFC: Bobby Traynor (Penalty) 11^th minute

1-1 DHFC: Shawn Beveney 19^th minute

1-2 DHFC: Chris Dickson 29^th minute

1-3 DHFC: Leigh Bremner 48^th minute

1-4 DHFC: Shawn Beveney 78^th minute

1-5 DHFC Serge Musungu 90^th minute (2^nd minute of stoppage time)

2-5 KFC Bobby Traynor 90^th minute (4^th minute of stoppage time)