East Thurrock United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Saturday 28th July 2007
Pre-Season Challenge Match

Creeping suburbia upon one flank, the fiery plumes of Corringham’s refineries the other, but ‘twixt these twin Gates of Hell lies Rookery Hill, a green oasis presided other over by country church and clapboard pub. Constable country amidst urban invasion.
For the second time in a week Dulwich more than matched opponents from a higher level, but despite drawing this match with the Ryman Premier Division Rocks, the Hamlet must feel a touch aggrieved that they did not make it a victory for the bulk of the chances in a high paced game fell the way of the ebullient boys in Pink and Blue.
As early as the third minute, it became apparent that the hosts would be vulnerable in the air at corners as, barely challenged, Helder Valdes rose on the edge of the six yard box to meet a pinpoint delivery, a forceful downward header bouncing wide of the far upright. Ten minutes in and Shawn Beveney, belligerent as ever, muscled his way through a brace of defenders 5 yards goal but from an angle slammed a drive in the side netting of Jamie Riley’s goal.
With buzzy wingers Craig Braham and Phil Williams nipping at their flanks and the uncompromising attack force of Beveney and Daniel Morris battering through the middle there was little respite for an overworked home defence boasting amongst its ranks that much travelled scourge of attackers, Steve West. The burly veteran was often keen to pass on the wisdom of his years none more so than when Riley hesitated to advance to intercept a through pass bound for Morris, West providing a timely hoof to safety thus denying the rampaging Hamlet forward.
More than half-an-hour had elapsed before the Rocks truly threatened, a free kick curled in slipped from the grasp of Hamlet custodian Sheikh Ceesay, the ball dropping invitingly at the feet of Scott Holding but Ceesay recovered his ground to spare his blushes, dropping to the floor to beat out the home forwards crisp low strike.
Half-time beckoned, the chimes of country church bells ringing through the air almost as to signal doom for the hosts. A Hamlet corner, the delivery once again on the mark, this time it was Morris leaping for the ball. His marker floundering, Morris met the ball crisply, a header drawn from the textbook and with Riley rooted to his line the ball was sent hurtling into the roof of the net. Fair reward for 45 minutes of endeavour and industry.
Beshadowed by their guests, second half brought more promise for the Rocks but not before they had weathered an early assault from the Hamlet. Morris might have added to his strike moments after the restart, denied at the death as the goal ranged before him. Beveney too looked for goal galloping away from the lethargic rearguard in pursuit of Veli Hakki’s through ball, Riley reacting with alacrity to save the day.
The traditional pre-season ritual of a raft of substitutions came and went. For the hosts it was of theirs that would prove first to bear fruit. A quarter hour remained on the clock. Ben Boyce burst into the box, a lunging tackle sent him crashing and the man in black at last had the opportunity to award a spot-kick. The burden of responsibility fell upon the shoulders of Scott Holding, regular penalty taker for the Rocks last term, but a low effort proved unsuccessful, Ceesay calling his bluff and blocking the attempt. All in vain though for first to the rebound was Kris Newby, a false start perhaps to cover so much ground so quickly but it mattered not a jot to him as the loose ball was tucked past Ceesay.
Parity lasted just six minutes as Hamlet regained that hard-won lead with a goal laced with grace and power. A slick ground pass from Hakki found Anton Innocent dashing down the right wing, the substitute lashing over a low cross towards Morris who his foot in front of West’s to send the ball crashing home beneath the crossbar of Riley.
Victory though would be denied the Hamlet as with four minutes remaining on the clock, another of the Rocks’ replacements, much travelled Keith Martin held off his marker on the edge of the six yard box before turning and drilling a ground singeing strike beneath the body of the diving Ceesay. It was all hands to the pumps as East Thurrock spent the final throes of the game on a desperate quest for the winner but already the Hamlet supremo, Craig Edwards, is instilling his never say die attitude into his charges. Like soldiers prepared to die for their leader, Hamlet hassled and harried the Rocks’ attack, almost succumbing at the death when Martin threatened once more but ensuring battle honours were shared.

Team: Sheikh Ceesay; Stuart Boothe; Harry Vitalian; Stanley Muguo; Shane Mangodza; Helder Valdes; Craig Braham; Veli Hakki; Daniel Morris; Shawn Beveney; Phil Williams

Subs used: Dave Walters; Benson Kpaka; Cedric Kobongo; Anton Innocent; Alex Watson; Ricky Dobson