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