CROYDON FC 2 DULWICH HAMLET 1
London Senior Cup Final
@ Brisbane RoadWednesday 1st May 2002
London Senior Cup Final
@ Brisbane RoadWednesday 1st May 2002
Dulwich’s season ended in the misery of defeat in controversial circumstances at Leyton Orient last Wednesday as a disputed penalty in stoppage time saw Premier Division Croydon claim the silverware. The manner of the reverse left manager Martin Eede seething, but it could take nothing away from what had been a magnificent performance by the Hamlet lads in trying circumstances, particularly in light of a refereeing performance that would have seen the man in black lucky to escape with his life had it been on nearby Hackney Marshes.
Even before the first ball had been kicked, referee Jonathan Bottomer had hardly endeared himself to the Hamlet management when he objected to the lightweight cast worn by Nick Leach to protect his broken hand, a cast he had worn in the final league game of the season at Oxford four days earlier without a word of complaint from the officials. Plagued with myriad injuries and suspensions, Eede was forced into last minute alterations to an already depleted line-up.
Dulwich’s task was then made more tricky by a cloudburst that inundated Brisbane Road minutes before kick-off leaving titanic puddles across the pitch. The conditions however played straight into the hands of Croydon, suiting their direct style whereas the Hamlet found their free-flowing passing game constantly stymied by the flooded surface.
An early corner posed problems for the Dulwich defence, with Croydon’s main sharpshooter Nic McDonnell having a half chance blocked shortly afterwards. Dulwich, backed by a raucous chorus of fans who constantly outsung the small pocket of Tramspotters, responded with a teasing cross from Eben Allen that Croydon keeper Matt Martin just managed to claim ahead of the lurking Charley Side. Martin was again brought into the action as Side’s shot took a deflection off Mark Dickinson.
McDonnell, a rare bright light in a pedestrian side, showed his threat soon after with a glancing header from a Danny Bower freekick that went narrowly wide of James Mercer’s left upright.
After Side had tested Martin with an exquisite lob, Croydon were recipients of a huge slice of luck as they snatched the lead on the half-hour mark. Matt Crome bundled Danny Moore off the ball on the left flank before providing the perfect cross for McDonnell to meet with a powerful downward header. Mercer seemed to have it covered but misjudged the sodden turf as the ball bounced over his body. A ripple of applause rang from the Croydon minority but going behind only served to steel the Hamlet further and with Junior Kadi spraying balls around from midfield and the pace of Side and Allen causing constant worries for the Trams, Dulwich’s boisterous fans found greater voice to urge their heroes forward. Surviving a scare when Mark Dickinson shot took a wicked deflection only for Mercer to pull off a fine save, Dulwich were coming more and more into the game.
Now attacking the end that housed the bulk of the Hamlet supporters, the Pink and Blues continued the good work in the second half. Within three minutes, the Hamlet were on level terms. Kadi’s intelligent freekick split the defence and in slid Side, the poacher supreme, with his first touch putting the ball beyond reach of the keeper. Buoyed by this Dulwich became the dominant force and it was all Croydon could do to hang on.
Seven minutes after the equaliser Dulwich were convinced that they had taken the lead when Kadi’s corner was met by Side with a crisp header. The ball looked to have crossed the goal line but to the disbelief of players and supporters alike, referee Bottomer elected to wave play on.
Pressing ever on there was only one team in it, but like the fatal words of Kevin Keegan, that would come back to haunt the Hamlet. Again they were denied when Rob French’s effort was cleared off the line on 70 minutes after Kadi and Jon Ashton had combined in fine style to provide the opening.
Dulwich goalscorer Charley Side takes on a host of befuddled Croydon players
Extra time loomed but fate had one cruel blow left to deal. Having instructed the fourth official to indicate that only a minute of stoppage time would be played, the referee had already allowed three minutes to play when the killer blow was struck. Barry Kingsford found McDonnell with a cross from the right. With Danny Twin in close attendance, the Croydon striker turned on the ball before crashing to the floor in theatrical style. Incredibly the referee was taken in by this charade and to incredulity from the stunned Dulwich players pointed to the spot. All Dulwich’s hopes now rested on the young shoulders of Mercer but although he made a brave effort to reach the spotkick, McDonnell’s crack was expertly placed, giving Mercer no chance.
Dulwich barely had time to mount another last ditch attack before the whistle blew. Robbed of glory, the Dulwich players were inconsolable at the end but with the songs of the faithful still ringing in their ears it will surely not be long before this promising and talented group of players bring honours back to Champion Hill.
Even before the first ball had been kicked, referee Jonathan Bottomer had hardly endeared himself to the Hamlet management when he objected to the lightweight cast worn by Nick Leach to protect his broken hand, a cast he had worn in the final league game of the season at Oxford four days earlier without a word of complaint from the officials. Plagued with myriad injuries and suspensions, Eede was forced into last minute alterations to an already depleted line-up.
Dulwich’s task was then made more tricky by a cloudburst that inundated Brisbane Road minutes before kick-off leaving titanic puddles across the pitch. The conditions however played straight into the hands of Croydon, suiting their direct style whereas the Hamlet found their free-flowing passing game constantly stymied by the flooded surface.
An early corner posed problems for the Dulwich defence, with Croydon’s main sharpshooter Nic McDonnell having a half chance blocked shortly afterwards. Dulwich, backed by a raucous chorus of fans who constantly outsung the small pocket of Tramspotters, responded with a teasing cross from Eben Allen that Croydon keeper Matt Martin just managed to claim ahead of the lurking Charley Side. Martin was again brought into the action as Side’s shot took a deflection off Mark Dickinson.
McDonnell, a rare bright light in a pedestrian side, showed his threat soon after with a glancing header from a Danny Bower freekick that went narrowly wide of James Mercer’s left upright.
After Side had tested Martin with an exquisite lob, Croydon were recipients of a huge slice of luck as they snatched the lead on the half-hour mark. Matt Crome bundled Danny Moore off the ball on the left flank before providing the perfect cross for McDonnell to meet with a powerful downward header. Mercer seemed to have it covered but misjudged the sodden turf as the ball bounced over his body. A ripple of applause rang from the Croydon minority but going behind only served to steel the Hamlet further and with Junior Kadi spraying balls around from midfield and the pace of Side and Allen causing constant worries for the Trams, Dulwich’s boisterous fans found greater voice to urge their heroes forward. Surviving a scare when Mark Dickinson shot took a wicked deflection only for Mercer to pull off a fine save, Dulwich were coming more and more into the game.
Now attacking the end that housed the bulk of the Hamlet supporters, the Pink and Blues continued the good work in the second half. Within three minutes, the Hamlet were on level terms. Kadi’s intelligent freekick split the defence and in slid Side, the poacher supreme, with his first touch putting the ball beyond reach of the keeper. Buoyed by this Dulwich became the dominant force and it was all Croydon could do to hang on.
Seven minutes after the equaliser Dulwich were convinced that they had taken the lead when Kadi’s corner was met by Side with a crisp header. The ball looked to have crossed the goal line but to the disbelief of players and supporters alike, referee Bottomer elected to wave play on.
Pressing ever on there was only one team in it, but like the fatal words of Kevin Keegan, that would come back to haunt the Hamlet. Again they were denied when Rob French’s effort was cleared off the line on 70 minutes after Kadi and Jon Ashton had combined in fine style to provide the opening.
Dulwich goalscorer Charley Side takes on a host of befuddled Croydon players
Extra time loomed but fate had one cruel blow left to deal. Having instructed the fourth official to indicate that only a minute of stoppage time would be played, the referee had already allowed three minutes to play when the killer blow was struck. Barry Kingsford found McDonnell with a cross from the right. With Danny Twin in close attendance, the Croydon striker turned on the ball before crashing to the floor in theatrical style. Incredibly the referee was taken in by this charade and to incredulity from the stunned Dulwich players pointed to the spot. All Dulwich’s hopes now rested on the young shoulders of Mercer but although he made a brave effort to reach the spotkick, McDonnell’s crack was expertly placed, giving Mercer no chance.
Dulwich barely had time to mount another last ditch attack before the whistle blew. Robbed of glory, the Dulwich players were inconsolable at the end but with the songs of the faithful still ringing in their ears it will surely not be long before this promising and talented group of players bring honours back to Champion Hill.
Team: James Mercer; Danny Twin; Jon Ashton; Lee Akers; Dave Richards; Danny Moore; Rob French; Ryan Pacey (George Gibson); Junior Kadi; Charley Side; Eben Allen
Subs not used: Francis Quarm; Declan Perkins; Engin Salih
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