Dulwich Hamlet 0 Margate 2

Dulwich Hamlet 0 Margate 2
FA Trophy – Third Round
Saturday 11th January 2003

Dulwich’s dreams of FA Trophy glory came to end against Conference side Margate on Saturday, but despite the defeat the boys in Pink and Blue could hold their heads high after a sterling performance against a team two divisions above them in the Pyramid. Having had the better of the first half against the seasiders, Dulwich were made to rue missed chances as second half goals from Jean-Michel Sigere and substitute Jake Leberl saw the conference side through to an away tie against Worcester City in the Fourth Round.
All the more remarkable that the tie took place at all for 48 hours earlier a shroud of snow enveloped the ground but the toils of a small band of volunteers had seen the pitch readied all in time for the Hamlet’s largest crowd of the season.
Martin Eede selections were limited as suspension robbed him of the combative Danny Ward in midfield, whilst both Germaine Amanuel and David Moore were cup-tied and Scott Ward had not re-signed in time to be eligible for the tie. However Omari Coleman returned to the starting line-up for the first time since his injury against Epsom & Ewell. The future Hamlet too was recognised as Albert Jarrett and Russell Bedford from the youth team were included among the substitutes.
The game took its time to get going with Dulwich pushing relentlessly forward, the pace of Coleman and the tricky skills of Peter Adeniyi proving a headache for the visitors’ defence. Margate’s response to their hosts’ flair was to mimic nightclub bouncers, treating the ball as if it were some rowdy punter, unceremoniously hoofing it upfield.
After ten minutes Dulwich had a great chance to open the scoring as Coleman met a right wing cross from Junior Kadi with a ferocious half-volley from the edge of the box that stung the hands of keeper Charlie Mitten as he awkwardly battering the ball behind for a corner. From this Kadi swung the ball into the near post, seemingly destined to sneak in to the top corner until Mitten got across to punch it out.
Five minutes later James Mercer gave a timely reminder of his agility as he pulled a save out of the top drawer to turn over a goalbound header from Graham Porter. At the other end Mitten was almost embarrassed as an underhit backpass from Bill Edwards was chased by Adeniyi, the keeper’s clearance smashing against the Dulwich attacker, only for Mitten to gratefully clutch the ball as it threatened to rebound over his head.
Mid way through the half Margate came within inches of grabbing the lead against the run of play. Simon Beard, denied moments early as Mercer’s anticipation saw he snatch the ball of the former Hammer, hit a first time steamer from the edge of the box that swerved wickedly but crashed off the bar and behind.
As the half drew to a close Dulwich put together a delightful move, Adeniyi swinging the ball out to Kemal Bulent on the touchline, who put in a deep cross that found Francis Quarm arriving at the back of the box. However the close attentions of Adrian Clarke were enough to put Quarm off as he volleyed wide and although there were tentative shouts for a penalty these fell upon deaf ears. Bang on 45 minutes another glorious Dulwich move saw the Hamlet sweep imperiously out of defence and with the referee choosing to ignore some heavy tackles on Quarm, the ball ran to Kadi on the edge of the D. However he snatched at his shot and the ball flew harmlessly wide.
Decided second best against their, supposedly inferior, opponents Margate opted to change their pattern of play for the final 45 minutes and it rapidly paid dividends much to the dismay of the Hamlet faithful. A mere four minutes into the second half and Margate launched an attack down the right, the ball delivered into the box by Sam Sodje. As it ran lose Sigere muscled his way in front of Dave Richards and smacked the ball home from close range.
It would have been easy for the Hamlet to fold at this point in the knowledge that the benefits of promotion might easily outweigh those of a Trophy run but having more than matched a Conference side, like a dog with a bone there was no way they would let this chance of glory disappear.
Having avoided conceding a second as John Keister shot wide after exploiting a Jon Ashton slip, Dulwich moved up a gear enjoying a purple patch as they threatened an equaliser. The ball finding Bulent out on the wing, it was delivered into Kadi who chested it down before nipping past a brace of defenders and firing in a low angled shot that beat Mitten but was cleared off the line by Sodje, sliding in just ahead of the lurking Coleman. The resulting corner flashed across the face of the goal then Ashton rose highest at the back post but Mitten proved to be his nemesis stretching to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Victory as priority saw Bulent sacrificed for Eben Allen and his determination almost created a chance for Coleman within seconds, but his cross was too far behind the striker. Then with six minutes left came heartbreak for the Hamlet. Leberl, whose appearance from the bench had not been universally applauded by the Margate supporters seconds earlier, collected the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a sizzling drive that gave Mercer no chance.
Sadly there was to no giantkilling at the Hill but for the second time in a week the players had risen to the challenge in hand and given all they could – against Carshalton it had been plenty, today it was not quite enough but still the fans were proud of them.

Team: James Mercer; Jon Ashton; Kemal Bulent (14: Eben Allen 74); Peter Adeniyi; Dave Richards; Gavin Rose; Francis Quarm (15: Russell Bedford 90); Justin Bowen; Omari Coleman (12: Steffan Ball 83); Junior Kadi; Lee Akers
Subs not used:; 16: Albert Jarrett; GK: Nej Hussain