The future’s pink and blue

Dulwich Hamlet boss Martin Eede insists his club still has a bright future despite the heartbreak of missing out on a place in the Ryman Premier League.
Hamlet were well set for promotion most of the way through the season only to fall away in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Their seventh-placed finish sent them into a winner-takes-all play-off with Wealdstone at Champion Hill.
The scars of surrendering their promotion hopes in a penalty shoot-out remain fresh for Eede.
But with the club's reserve and youth teams enjoying great success this season, Eede still has plenty to look forward to.
"Our reserves have won the Suburban Premier League with the youngest ever squad in the club's history, while our youth side are in the final of the Southern Youth League Cup," he said.
"That tells me the club is very strong and we have some excellent young players here.
"Quite a few have already broken into the first-team squad."
Dulwich will be in the Isthmian League Division One next season, where AFC Wimbledon will provide lucrative opposition.
Eede has pledged to stay at the club and hopes he can take them one step further this time.
"I'll definitely be here next season to have another crack at getting promotion," he said.
"What we achieved this year was excellent considering the financial strength of the other teams who went up.
"That doesn't mean anything now, but hopefully the players will come back stronger for the experience."
The boss doesn't know how many of the squad will remain at the club over the summer, but is confident there won't be too many jumping ship.
"This is the time when everybody wants to take a holiday," he said.
"No-one has intimated to me that they want to leave, but there is always some movement.
"I'm already concentrating on next season and have arranged a pre-season friendly with Millwall for July, 22.
"There is work to do to the stadium and the pitch, so I will be keeping very busy!"

Dulwich secured the Suburban League title with a 3-2 win over Wingate & Finchley last week. Nathan Lother, George Gibson and Nicolas Plumain scored the vital goals.

Dulwich Hamlet supporters have produced a video and DVD of their London Senior Cup final victory over Tooting & Mitcham. Videos are £10 and DVD's £12, with postage £1.50. To place an order e-mail Bill Azzi at bazzi@btinternet.com

CHANGES ARE COMING

May 18 2004
By Chris Fidler, South London Press
DULWICH Hamlet boss Martin Eede said he wouldn't swap any of his players - but there will be changes in the summer, he has admitted.
Hamlet missed out on promotion after a penalty shoot-out defeat in the Ryman Division One play-off with Wealdstone - and some players may have had enough.
Eede will now see his side compete in the Isthmian League Division One Southern Eastern Division against local rivals Tooting and AFC Wimbledon, rather than a higher level.
"It is inevitable there will be changes to the side, but at the moment I am still reflecting on how we missed out on promotion after such a good season," said Eede.
"I wouldn't swap any of my players. They were brilliant for me. In the end it was the lack of a big squad that let us down."
Eede is hoping his stars, such as top-scorer Omari Coleman, will want to stay at the club for next season, but added: "Of course people like Omari want to play at the highest level, but I'll be tackling those issues in a few weeks' time and hope most will want to stay."
As for the new league, Eede has one or two reasons to be excited about what is in store for his side and the Champion Hill faithful.
"With teams like AFC Wimbledon, Tooting and Bromley in it, there will be some big, big games," he said.
"There will also be some new challenges from the likes of Newport Isle of Wight and Bashley, so there's a lot to keep the interest."
But Eede is anxious that any success Hamlet have on the field should not mean people forget the club's problems off it. Last summer Hamlet's planning application for a Homebase on their existing ground and a new stadium next door was thrown out at appeal. The plan would have given the club financial security according to Eede.
He added: "If it had been allowed it would have meant we could be major players in the non-league world. We have a fight for survival here to keep the club going, which we do thanks to a small number of people who work above and beyond the call of duty.
"There are a lot of well-heeled people in Dulwich and it would be nice for them to get involved in helping the club out. Dulwich Hamlet is an important part of Dulwich life and a cash injection would go a long way.
"But whatever happens, nothing can shake us. We'll dust ourselves down and have another crack at promotion next season."
*Fisher Athletic's leading scorer of last season has left the club. Richard Brady, who netted 22 goals last term, walked after manager Wayne Burnett couldn't guarantee him a starting place for next season as he looks to reshape the squad.

Cadette's verdict

May 11 2004
South London Press
TOOTING & Mitcham boss Richard Cadette took heart from his side's display.
"There's no way I can criticise anyone after that performance," he said.
"We played well, created chances but the fact of the matter is we lost because we just couldn't put the ball in the back of the net.
"Dulwich had their two minutes when they scored twice and that was the difference."
Cadette added: "It made it worse that we had to lose to Dulwich, but sometimes you have to taste that bitter defeat to make sure you never want to taste it again. We have a very young side and they have been on a learning curve this season."
As for striker Elliot Onochie, Cadette is now waiting to hear whether he wants to stay at Tooting after his contract expired.
Cadette said: "He has been offered a new contract and I want him to stay, but only if he is happy to stay. I hope he is."

COLEMAN DELIVERS

May 11 2004
DULWICH 2 TOOTING & M 0
Chris Fidler Reports From Claremont Road, South London Press
AFTER the season of disappointment these two rivals have had, the London Senior Cup provided some light relief.
It may not have the kudos it used to, but the competition final was a chance for two South London sides to regain some pride in a small corner of North London.
Dulwich were in the greater need of a pick-me-up after missing promotion from Ryman Division One South by one penalty kick 48 hours earlier. However, the cup was also a chance for Tooting's players to prove they are not so dispensable for next season, after a disappointing Ryman South finish of 11th.
As it was, one man was the difference between the sides at the ramshackle home of Hendon FC.
Omari Coleman's forward play has stood out for Dulwich all season long, and it was fitting that the best player on show should grab the glory with two quick-fire second half goals in the space of 120 seconds.
It was tough on Tooting, who just have not been able to find a consistent winning formula all season. For all their enterprise, the Terrors just could not get that ball in the back of the net.
It was they that settled the quicker and tried to take advantage of Hamlet's play-off hangover.
Right winger Goma Lambu looked dangerous for Tooting and he was the first to threaten a goal in the seventh minute. He turned Dulwich skipper, and former Tooting favourite, Alex O'Brien on the wing before whipping in a tasty ball that Paul Seuke had to tip over his bar.
Another player facing his former club, Tooting striker Eben Allen, prodded just wide from James Husband's ninth minute free kick.
Former Dulwich manager, and now Tooting keeper, Les Cleevely had to be alert to smother Coleman's shot on the turn following a Scott Edgar flick-on on the quarter-hour mark.
Tooting were playing the better stuff but could not find the net. Scott Kinch saw his shot deflected off Dulwich's Julian Curnow after some tricks from Elliot Onochie in the box, but that was the nearest they came. Allen then headed a Husband free kick straight at Seuke, before Dulwich created two good chances just before half time. The first saw Kemal Bulent pump a long free kick into the box, only for David Moore to head past the post. The second was the best flowing move of the half that ended with Cleevely saving well from Edgar's head.
As the players made their way down the tunnel at half time there was some pushing and shoving as tempers flared - the sides have never been the best of friends.
The second half started slowly and it looked like Tooting were the likelier side. However, in the 54th minute they got a warning shot from Coleman who carved out a decent chance that Cleevely did well to get down and smother.
Four minutes later, Coleman had the ball in the net after he latched on to a long ball, outpaced the Tooting defence before poking past Cleevely - pure route one stuff. Tooting's composure obviously took a knock as they failed to pick up Coleman two minutes later as he sent the ball spinning past Cleevely with a superb diving header from a stunning Bulent delivery to make it 2-0.
Terrors manager Richard Cadette decided to change things as he hauled off Kinch and the disappointing Onochie, replacing them with Steven Cant and Durrand Jemmott. The move seemed to pay off as Tooting spent the final 15 minutes bombarding the Dulwich goal. Allen skewed a shot wide before Cant pulled another effort the wrong side of the post from distance.
Tooting deserved to pull a goal back, but Dulwich packed their own box for some last-ditch defending.
With five minutes to go, Hamlet somehow managed to keep the ball out of the goal after a Husband shot was cleared off the line and the follow-up was saved by Seuke.
Tooting then hit the bar, before the ball was sent across the face of goal, but no Terror was on hand to finish. Lambu hit the side-netting before Dulwich went up the other end, only for Cleevely to somehow keep out Edgar's free header with a save Gordon Banks would have been proud of.
The whistle saw fans invade the pitch. The Dulwich faithful proclaiming "we are the champions of London" and "we're the pride of South London".
Both sets of supporters were a credit to their clubs, travelling north to cheer on their local sides. And they can, at least, console themselves with the thought that, after disappointing campaigns, they have the Tooting-Dulwich derbies to look forward to next season.
Goals: Dulwich - Coleman (58, 60). Dulwich: Seuke, Amwoan (sic), Curnow, O'Brien, Bowen, Moore, Bulent, Edgar, Coleman (Nugent 89), Turley, Side. Not used: Quarm, Green, Kyezu, Bedford.
Tooting: Cleevely, Tanner (Lasbrey 40), Symes, Nwanze, Twin, Hunt, Lambu, Kinch (Cant 65), Onochie (Jemmott 65), Allen, Husband. Not used: Pinnock, Davies.

DHFC: Paul Seuke; Errison Ahwan, Julian Curnow; Alex O'Brien; Justin Bowen; David Moore; Kemal Bulent; Scott Edgar; Omari Coleman (Meshach Nugent 88); Jason Turley; Charley Side
Subs not used: Francis Quarm; Meshach Nugent; Ronnie Green; Aliy Kyezu; Russell Bedford.
Bookings: None
T&MFC: Les Cleevely, Craig Tanner (James Lasbrey 39), Steve Symes, Daniel Nwanze, Danny Twin, Oliver Hunt, Goma Lambu, Scott Kinch (Jason Pinnock 65), Elliot Onochie (Durrand Jemmott 65), Eben Allen, James Husband.
Subs not used: Stephen Cant, Jimmy Davies.
Bookings: None
Referee: O. Saliy
Assistants: R. Albert & M. Wise

Eede's verdict

May 11 2004
South London Press
VICTORIOUS Dulwich manager Martin Eede reckoned his side had the edge over rivals Tooting.
"I thought there was a bit of resolve there and the edge was always with us, even when parts of the game weren't," he said.
"It was pleasing to have something to show for our season after losing that play-off. Before the game we had a heart-to-heart. The players were marvellous in the way they managed to put Monday behind them. After that game a lot of them had to take a day off work, they were so gutted."
Eede added: "Although we didn't get what we wanted in promotion, after a terrific season which saw us get 84 points, and lose just eight games, we won something. I am pleased for the supporters, fans and everyone at the club. It was well-deserved."Eede said he will start to turn his attentions to who stays and who goes for next season later this month, adding: "I've not even thought about it yet.

Hamlet pay the penalty

May 7 2004
DULWICH 2 WEALDSTONE 2 Wealdstone win 5-4 on pens
Chris Fidler Reports From Champion Hill, South London Press
THERE were tears at Dog Kennel Hill on Monday night after a season that promised so much ended in despair for Dulwich.
Twice they were on the brink of beating Wealdstone in the biggest game of the season, and twice they blew it.
This was a time when it was acceptable for grown men to cry - because all their hard work over the past nine months had, ultimately counted for nothing. Wealdstone go up into the revamped Ryman Premier Division, while Dulwich, who accrued enough points to challenge for the championship in any other year, have missed the boat in the non-league revamp.
It was harsh on Dulwich who fought back from a poor first half showing to look certainties to win.
Those opening 45 minutes were a nervy affair for Martin Eede's side as the visitors created several good chances. But for the keeping of Paul Seuke, Hamlet would have been dead and buried by half time. He parried well from a fourth minute Dave Ryan free kick as Wealdstone settled first. Hamlet were struggling to create things and it took until the 18th minute for their first serious attack - but Craig Dundas dallied with the ball at his feet before firing against Andy Carter in the visitors' goal, then smacking the rebound against the post.
The visitors took the lead on 25 minutes when Seuke punched out Gary McKeown's free kick, but Martin Carter thumped the ball in to the net from all of 30 yards.
Seuke then brilliantly tipped a dipping cross on to the bar, and from the resulting corner showed great reactions to palm Ryan's close-range piledriver round the post. In stoppage time, Jolly's snapshot hit the post after Lee Doherty and Jason Curnow gifted the centre-forward possession on the edge of the box.
Dulwich had escaped, and four minutes after the break got the equaliser. There looked to be no danger as player of the year Omari Coleman ran down the left flank, but he whipped a cross to the far post where Charlie Side bundled home from close range.
Coleman and Dundas were starting to really stretch the Wealdstone back four - the former having a personal duel with Carter in the away goal. On 56 minutes Carter blocked Coleman's shot following good work from Dundas. On the hour Dundas saw a shot blocked by Carter as Dulwich, driven on by their influential skipper Alex O'Brien in midfield, dominated.
On 67 minutes Carter again thwarted Coleman, after the striker latched onto Francis Quarm's through-ball, and turned his marker only to see his shot palmed away.
Coleman finally got the better of Carter in the 79th minute when he hammered the keeper's parry from a Dundas strike home to make it 2-1 to Dulwich.
All Hamlet had to do was hold on, but Wealdstone got the equaliser with six minutes to go. A clumsy Dulwich challenge gifted Ryan a free kick on the edge of the box and he fired it low through the defensive wall into the net.
Either side could have won it in an absorbing extra-time battle. Ben Alexander and Jolly went close for Wealdstone, Dundas had a goal ruled out for handball and Coleman was again thwarted by Carter.
So it went to penalties and Hamlet looked certainties to wrap up the tie when they went 4-3 up thanks to successful kicks from Lee Akers, Justin Bowen, Dundas, Coleman and a Seuke save from Ryan.
But substitute Meshach Nugent crashed what would have been the winner against the bar, then Wealdstone skipper Martin Carter hammered home to make it 4-4 and sudden death.
Dulwich substitute David Moore saw his shot saved by Carter and it was up to Jolly to give Wealdstone victory. As the ball hit the back of the net the 400-odd Wealdstone fans invaded the pitch as the Dulwich players fought back the tears.
A side that finished 10 points off the top of the table looked as though they had been relegated. But knowing the character in the side, they will bounce back.

Teams:
DHFC: Paul Seuke; Lee Doherty (Lee Akers 118); Julian Curnow; Alex O'Brien; Justin Bowen; Jason Turley; Kemal Bulent (Meshach Nugent 118); Francis Quarm; Omari Coleman; Craig Dundas; Charley Side (David Moore 77)
Substitutes not used: Errison Ahwan; Scott Edgar
WFC: Andy Carter; Jason Shaw (Tommy Williams 71); Gary Burrell; Dave Ryan; Danny Butler; Martin Carter; Matt Carvell; Gary McKeown; Marvin Morgan (Ben Alexander 95); Richard Jolly; James Duncan
Substitutes not used: Alon Hemmerdinger; Brett Freeman; Danny Tilbury
Mr Tony Mason
Mr Steve Roots, Mr Darren Sheldrake (4th Mr Paul Martin)

Two tall trees, a birch and a beech, are growing in the woods.

A small tree begins to grow between them, and the beech says to the birch: "Is that a son of a beech or a son of a birch?"

The birch says he cannot tell. Just then a woodpecker lands on the sapling.
The birch says, "Woodpecker, you are a tree expert. Can you tell if that is a son of a beech or a son of a birch?"

The woodpecker takes a taste of the small tree. He replies: "It is neither a son of a beech nor a son of a birch. It is, however, the best piece of ash I have ever put my pecker in.

A wedding occurred just outside Cavan in Ireland.

To keep tradition going, everyone gets extremely drunk and the bride's and groom's families have a storming row and begin wrecking the reception room and generally kicking the shit out of each other. The police get called in to break up the fight.
The following week, all members of both families appear in court. The fight continues in the courtroom until the judge finally brings calm with the use of his gavel, shouting, 'Silence in court!'
The courtroom goes silent and Paddy, the best man, stands up and says,
'Judge, I was the best man at the wedding and I think I should explain what happened.'
The judge agrees and asks Paddy to take the stand. Paddy begins his explanation by telling the court that it is traditional in a Cavan wedding that the best man gets the first dance with the bride.
The judge says, 'OK.'
'Well,' said Paddy, 'after I had finished the first dance, the music kept going, so I continued dancing to the second song, and after that the music kept going and I was dancing to the third song, when all of a sudden the groom leapt over the table, ran towards us and gave the bride an unmerciful kick right between her legs.'
Shocked, the judge instantly responded, 'God, that must have hurt!'
'Hurt?' Paddy replies. 'He broke three of my fingers!'

Ronaldo, Luis Figo and Wayne Rooney are standing before God at the throne of Heaven.

God looks at them and says; "before granting you a place at my side, I must first ask you what you believe in."
Addressing Ronaldo first he asks, "what do you believe?"
Ronaldo looks God in the eye and states passionately, "I believe Football to be the food of life. Nothing else brings such unbridled joy to so many people from the slums of Rio to the bright lights of Madrid. I have devoted my life to bring such joy to people who stood on the terraces supporting their club."
God looks up and offers Ronaldo the seat to his left.
He then turns to Luis Figo, "and you, Luis, what do you believe?"
Figo stands tall and proud, "I believe courage, honour and passion are the fundamentals to life and I've spent my whole playing career providing a living embodiment of these traits."
God, moved by the passion of the speech offers Figo the seat to his right.
Finally, he turns to Wayne Rooney, "and you, Wayne, what do you believe?"
"I believe,” says Rooney "you're sitting in my seat."

West Ham Supporters 1 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 2

West Ham Supporters 1 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 2
Internet Football League
Saturday 17th April 2004

Hard by the concrete ribbon that is the Eastway lies Hackney Marshes, spiritual home of parks football since time immemorial, a Cathedral of Sunday football that regularly echoes to sound of dockyard obscenities as a thousand hangovers are run off amid its jigsaw puzzle of pitches. Famous names have graced it along the years but when was the last time the names of Cottee, Stewart, Brooking, Hurst, Devonshire and their ilk lined up alongside each other there. Alright it was only the legends on the back of the West Ham supporters shirts that bore these names although Cottee, a lanky bespectacled chap, lived up to his icon with the headed goal that gave the Happy Hammers a first half lead. As for some of the others, Brooking was actually interesting whilst Devonshire seemed a model of decorum following his outbursts during and after the Hamlet’s victory at Hampton the Saturday before. Could not tell if the keeper bore a legend upon his back but from his performance, one would guess it was not McKnight!
With a long unbeaten record behind them, Dulwich were hoping to extend that against a West Ham side that had lost all four previous games in the league but with an early start in the hinterlands of East London, a number of players were unavailable but those 12 who dragged creaking knees on to the pitch were to do the Hamlet proud as a goal deficit was overturned to ensure victory.
Shambolic defending at a corner allowed an unmarked Cottee to glance a header past Matt Hammond to give West Ham the lead. However Dulwich were back on level terms when Larry Marsh powered into the box and drawing the keeper, unselfishly laid the ball across the box for Jack McInroy to score from close range.
Enduring some hairy moments in the second half as West Ham made full use of the wind at their backs to pin Dulwich back in their half, forcing but not profiting from a series of corners. For this they paid as Marsh scored a magnificent goal reminiscent of that cracking Gazza goal against the sheep rustlers from North of Border, flicking the ball past his marker before smacking the ball past a defenceless keeper for number two. Again the Boys in Pink and Blue came under the cosh, but held firm although with less than a minute left breaths were held as the ball threatened to bounce over the head of Hammond, the corpulent custodian just tipping the ball on the crossbar as Dulwich breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Team: Matt Hammond; Paul Vinnell; Ian Wright; James O’Shaughnessy; Paul Griffin; Andy Tucker; Gareth Taylor (Mark Hutton); Mishi Morath; Lee Shailer; Jack McInroy; Larry Marsh

Hayes Lane Ultras 2 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 2

Hayes Lane Ultras 2 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 2
Internet Football League – National Division
Sunday 21st March 2004

Bromley and Dulwich aficionados swapped the rivalry of the terraces for that of the football field as they locked horns in a highly competitive IFL fixture that saw the Hamlet twice come from behind to secure a draw and continue a seven match unbeaten run in all competitions. Mothers Day and Millwall taking on the Hammers at the Den may have robbed both sides of players but those on display put on a creditable display in difficult conditions. Remarkably despite a number of chances for both sides there was no score at the break although both teams had the openings to grab the lead, Bromley’s pacy attackers causing problems for Dulwich’s highly experienced (i.e. old, average age 42.5!) back four and keeping custodian Andy Tucker on his toes. Dulwich’s strikeforce was blowing hot and cold and despite some tricky approach play were firing blanks in front of goal and caught offside too many times for the manager’s liking.
It looked as if the defences would continue to hold sway until shortly into the second half when Paul Griffin was caught out by a swift turn from Mark Avenell and his clumsy challenge rightly saw the hosts awarded a penalty. The Ravens’ Neil Cooper looked confident stepping up to the spotkick but was denied when Tucker dived to his right to pull off a magnificent stop, blocking Cooper’s attempted follow up for good measure but as the ball flew up Avenell was first to it with a header that somehow evaded a throng of defenders on the line. Bromley’s lead did not last long and after Dulwich had won a corner, quick thinking saw Nick Nikos drill a low cross into the area for striker Jim Barber to hammer home from close range.
Bromley came back fighting and midway through the half regained the lead after sloppy Dulwich defending at a corner as Cooper’s header fell at the feet of Stu Bowman who poked the ball over the line from close range. Dulwich were not giving up though and as time ticked on they forced the Bromley keeper into a fine double save then saw Jason Cobb’s floated effort strike the crossbar. There must have been mere seconds left on the clock when Dulwich broke Bromley’s hearts as a piercing attack down the left saw Nikos unleash a cracking angled left foot shot that cannoned off the post and home. Stoppage time seemed interminable but when the whistle finally came, the acknowledgement was that a draw was the fair result.

Teams:
HLUFC: Team: Paul Cooper, Antonio Fletcher, Will Clutton, Rob Nicholls, Martin Roberts, Stu Bowman, Andy Firkin, Martin Ramsey, Neil Cooper, Mark Sven Avenell, Rich Bagley.
Sub: Dan Davis

DHFCSFC: Andy Tucker, Phil Baker, Paul Griffin (Dave Blyth), Steve Rickerby, Ian Wright, James O'Shaugnessy, Jason Cobb, Joe Absalom, Alex Margoules, Jim Barber, Nick Nikos

Worthing Supporters 2 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 3

Worthing Supporters 2 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 3
Challenge Match
Saturday 7th February 2004

A hardy band of Hamlet Supporters made the long trek to the South Coast, made more frustrating by a circuitous train journey courtesy of the vagaries of the British transport system, but were rewarded with a hard-fought victory over their Rebel counterparts. Despite an icy, gale force wind at their backs the Hamlet found themselves weathering early pressure from the younger hosts. However on 17 minutes Dulwich took the lead when Jack McInroy almost certainly wrote his name into the annals of supporter footballing history. Age had certainly not withered the 45-year-old midfield wizard as he capitalised on defensive dithering to score with a sweet strike. Almost immediately a Danny King freekick could have doubled the lead but the home custodian was well placed to keep out the effort.
A courageous tackle from the deceptively ferocious media luvvie Paul ‘Vinny’ Vinnell on the half hour mark prevented what looked a certain goal and laid the foundations for a rapid Dulwich counterattack from which a second goal nearly came. McInroy again played a starring role and when the ball reached Phil Doyle on the edge of the box, he balletically skipped past two tackles before unleashing a screaming low drive which beat the keeper but crashed against the upright, spinning like a top across the face of goal, just missing the opposite post.
Playing into the teeth of the gale, Dulwich found the Worthing players encamped on the edge of their box like the Greeks outside the walls of Troy but held firm and doubled their lead 20 minutes in when Chris Wheeler did the donkey work to set up James O’Shaughnessy to curl home a magnificent effort. Worthing pulled a goal back when a freekick was played on by a puddle in front of goal and skidded through the hands of stand-in goalkeeper Ian Wright, holding the fort until the arrival of regular custodian Matt Hammond who had elected for the scenic route to the South Coast via Orpington!
For a while it seemed as if the Rebels would pull level and not undeservedly so but O’Shaugnessy minor made sure Dulwich had a two goal cushion as the game entered the final throes as he rounded the keeper to tuck the ball home from a tight angle despite the best efforts of a seagull on the goalline to keep the ball out. Right at the death Worthing pulled one back when from a corner Hammond, on for the gallant Wright, was beaten by a low drive. Mishi Morath on the post attempted a clearance but succeeded only in hammering ball into the top stanchion of the net where it nestled a la Trevor Brooking in the Nep Stadion. Any hopes Worthing had though of snatching a draw evaporated moments later as from the restart the referee almost instantaneously signalled the game’s conclusion.

Team: Ian Wright (Matt Hammond), Mick O'Shaughnessy (Paul Griffin), Phil Baker (Mishi Morath), Paul Vinnell, Steve Bennett, Phil Doyle, Jack McInroy, Danny King, Damon Green, James O'Shaughnessy, Chris Wheeler

Hendon FC 1 Dulwich Hamlet 3

Hendon FC 1 Dulwich Hamlet 3
Tuesday 9th December 2003
London Senior Cup – Third Round

The Hamlet put the setbacks of Saturday behind them as they marched defiantly into the Fourth Round of The London Cup and a January date with holders Bromley, thanks to an emphatic first half performance at Claremont Road as the high-flying Premier Division outfit were put to the sword on their own turf. In an indication of the strength in depth of the current Hamlet squad manager Martin Eede made eight changes to the starting line up from the Banstead debacle, with only skipper Alex O’Brien, centre half Gavin Dayes and winger Kemal Bulent remaining. In a line up bristling with youth were it not for the presence of the evergreen Lee Akers, tempting away from his pipe and slippers on a chill, misty evening the average age would surely have been in the low twenties.
Playing down the slope in the first half, the young bucks of Dulwich were soon savaging their loftier hosts and within the first minute Francis Quarm saw an angled shot headed off the line after some nervous defending from the Dons. On eight minutes, Quarm was not to be denied when Meshach Nugent’s exquisite pass released the quicksilver Ronnie Green. Green’s dancing feet mesmerised his marker before he nipped past and delivered a pinpoint cross for Quarm to plant a firm header past keeper Dean Lindsay from six yards out.
The Dons’ faces looked as green as their shirts as they were constantly forced on to the back foot as Dulwich sliced through their flanks with Russell Bedford on his first start of the season particularly impressive as his pace and panache constantly bamboozled Hendon’s right back. Over on the opposite wing Bulent was providing an equally impressive service and when he pulled an excellent cross in from close to the corner flag, Lindsay had to stretch to fingertip the ball away from the marauding Green.
It was no surprise when Dulwich added a second goal in the 20th minute. Dayes was sent sprawling to earn the Hamlet a freekick and when Bulent delivered the ball into a crowded penalty area, Nugent was on head to finish from close range for his first senior goal in Pink & Blue. Nugent only had to wait 15 minutes to double his tally when Jaz Rose’s injudicious tackle from behind on Green saw a penalty awarded and referee Mr Bottomer go some way towards atoning for his contentious stoppage time penalty that robbed the Hamlet of this prize in the 2002 Final. Up stepped Nugent to the spot and in stark contrast to regular spot kick king Omari Coleman, smashed the ball home off the underside of the bar.
Rampant in attack, composed in defence, Dulwich looked in complete command and cheered on by a vociferous bunch of hardy supporters looked set to totally overrun their loftier hosts, maybe even avenge one of Dulwich’s darkest hours when they crashed 10-1 in a league game on this ground back in the 1963/64 season.
After some magnificent work down the left by the tireless Bedford, Dulwich almost grabbed a fourth just before the break but Bulent shot over. A moment later Hendon managed their sole dangerous moment of the half when Dale Binns found a clink in Hamlet’s armour but was denied by a magnificent stop on the line by Paul Seuke.
Battered and bruised in the first half, Hendon looked a better team in the second although this had as much to do with a Dulwich realisation that they could hold the opposition was in their pockets. Content to soak up the home pressure Dulwich were still dangerous on the break and Nugent was a whisker away from completing a hat-trick but for Lindsay finger-tipping away Bulent’s whipped low cross as the Hamlet hitman waited to pounce.
On 68 minutes Hendon gained some consolation when they pulled a goal back through René James-Barriteau who tucked the ball home from close range after Binns and Martin Randall had combined well to create the opening.
With Warren Haughton sent into the fray for the last quarter hour, the substitute almost obliged with a fourth for Dulwich as his low drive almost squirmed through Lindsay but much to Haughton’s chagrin defender James Burgess was on hand to spare his keeper’s blushes clearing his lines.
Dulwich survived the odd scare as the game drew to its inevitable conclusion but keeper Seuke was more tested by a looping back header from Dayes than anything the wayward Hendon strikers threw at him. Next round, rendezvous Bromley.

Teams: Hendon FC: 1 Dean Lindsay; 2 Gary Meakin; 3 James Burgess; 4 Steve Gray; 5 Jaz Rose (17 Mehmet Unal 55); 6 Nicky Booth; 7 Daniel Llewellyn; 8 René James-Barriteau; 9 Martin Randall; 10 Andy Hutchinson (12 Aaron McLeish 82); 11 Dale Binns
Subs not used: 14 Adilson Lopes; 16 Andrew Vincent

Dulwich Hamlet FC: 1 Paul Seuke; 2 Lee Akers; 3 Junior Kamara; 4 Alex O'Brien; 5 Gavin Dayes; 6 Russell Bedford; 7 Kemal Bulent; 8 Francis Quarm; 9 Meshach Nugent; 10 Ali Kyezu; 11 Ronnie Green (15 Warren Haughton 73)
Subs not used: 12 David Moore; 14 Lee Doherty; 16 Charley Side; 17 Jason Turley

Legendary Amateur Footballer Recognised by People of Southwark

On Thursday 20th November at 2 p.m., more than 70 years after his finest hours, Dulwich Hamlet players past and present as well as supporters of the South London team will make their way along the road that bears his name to Champion Hill for the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to one of the true superstars of the amateur game, Edgar Kail. The Mayor of Southwark and local MP Tessa Jowell, Minister for Sport and Culture, will also be in attendance.
Earlier this year Southwark Council, in conjunction with local paper the Southwark News, announced that it would be honouring famous citizens and landmarks within the borough asking residents to vote from a list of 50 candidates, the top 20 being awarded a blue Peoples Plaque. Hamlet fans were swiftly canvassing votes as visiting supporters and locals alike were only too happy to nominate Kail. When the final votes were published even die-hard fans had to admit a pleasant shock as Kail came sixth in overall vote ahead of Peckham’s Rio Ferdinand by some way and with more votes than Charles Dickens, great Briton Isambard Kingdom Brunel and even Sir Michael Caine (not a lot of people voted for him!).
More than 70 years have passed since his finest hours and, looking down from the celestial football field, Kail might glance upon a much different Champion Hill that had swelled to bursting point during amateur football’s golden era. Nevertheless the fans of the Hamlet still chant the name of the dynamic striker with the quicksilver feet and a sniper’s eye for goal who stayed loyal to the local club he joined at the outbreak of World One aged 14. Many were the times professional clubs came begging the prolific hitman to take the King’s Shilling and turn pro but no matter how tempting the inducements, Kail would remain with Dulwich for nearly two decades. During this time, he clocked up a phenomenal 427 goals for the club, including 53 in the 1925-1926 season, club records which remain unbeaten to this day. With crowds regularly topping 15,000 Dulwich Hamlet enjoyed a purple patch between the Wars that included victory in the 1920 and 1932 FA Amateur Cup Finals.
However Edgar’s finest hour was yet to come as in 1929, he was selected by the England FULL International XI, the last amateur player whilst with an amateur team to be so honoured. An end of season tour took in France (where Kail scored twice in a 4-1 victory), Belgium and Spain (*see attached article), Kail wining a hat trick of caps. But for the FA’s insular refusal to participate in the following year’s inaugural World Cup in Uruguay, Dulwich might even have been celebrating a World Cup winner amongst their ranks, such was the impression Kail made on the tour.
In addition to his full England caps, Kail played 21 times for the England Amateur XI and was reputedly a demon bowler for the Dulwich Hamlet Cricket XI! Such was his fame that on retirement he was snapped up by the popular Daily Sketch newspaper as a columnist whose every word was avidly devoured by the newspapers’ readers.
Moving to Scotland in the late sixties, Kail passed away in 1976 but long after his achievements have passed into legend the name of the man who refused to sell out is chanted long and loud by the Dulwich supporters, “Edgar Kail in my heart keep me Dulwich, Edgar Kail in my heart I pray, Edgar Kail in my heart keep me Dulwich, keep me Dulwich ‘til my dying day.”

LEST WE FORGET… or have we already?

Forgive an old soldier his piece but pursuing that venerable organ of all matters Southwark, the Southwark News, I chanced upon a letter from a Mr Andrew Tucker of Sydenham bemoaning the failure to observe the two minutes’ silence upon the anniversary of September the 11th. I would hope that this was a typographical error on behalf of said correspondent, for though I have nothing against our American cousins from across the pond, my personal vent is that the ease with which people accepted marking that catastrophe is matched only by their ignorance of a more significant date just one month later. I speak of November 11th, Armistice Day to those of us old enough to remember. After many years of struggle, a national two-minute silence was recently reintroduced upon the occasion of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Although this would rarely if ever coincide with a home game, it had long been a tradition at Champion Hill for the silence to observed before kick-off on the Saturday immediately preceding Remembrance Sunday.
However in recent years this tradition seems to have ground to a halt as the minute’s silence becomes increasingly devalued. No one doubts the tragedy of the murder of those two girls from Soham but the irrational hysteria, fuelled by guilt, that followed came to a head with all football clubs ordered to observe a silence – all because they were wearing Manchester United shirts when they were abducted.
It beggars belief when a local lad, Damilola Taylor, loses his life in equally tragic circumstances, the silence is deafening by its absence.
With the almost evangelical zeal with which we have been forced to observe such gratuitous silences, it is particularly galling that the Hamlet had two chances but failed to pay their respects on either. On the Saturday before Remembrance Sunday it was Croydon at home but the only silence came from the travelling fan, whilst Tooting were entertained the following Tuesday 12th November. Both of these dates should have sufficed but neither was taken. When the survivors limped back limbless and sightless, maimed and shell-shocked from the killing fields of France and Belgium in 1918, there would have been many connected with Dulwich Hamlet, both supporter and player amongst there number. Likewise in 1945, as the memorial inside reception will testify. A moment of remembrance for their sacrifice would not go amiss.

AFC Wimbledon Supporters 6 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 3

AFC Wimbledon Supporters 6 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 3
Internet Football Association London Football League – Division Two
Sunday 12th October 2003

Dulwich kicked off their inaugural season in the IFA with defeat against the Dons in a high scoring match at Colliers Wood United. However selector Mishi Morath commented after the game that he was satisfied with the result given that the fledgling Dons had a much greater supporter base from which to select their squad. Indeed a heavy defeat did seem on the cards when AFC Supporters, with a strong wind at their backs, charged into an early 4-0 lead before Dulwich pulled one back through Benny Garner. Had Garner’s penalty minutes later not been saved the Hamlet might have been within touching distance of their opponents before the break but instead were caught out when AFC scored a fifth before half time. With the wind now in their favour and more coherent and passionate in their play, Dulwich rallied after the break with James O’Shaughnessy on his debut scoring a magnificent goal early on. Showing intense determination to keep the ball in on the right touchline, he beat the AFC keeper with a stunning shot from an impossible angle. When Steve Rickerby converted a penalty mid way through the game, hopes of a Dulwich revival were high but AFC held strong and as the Hamlet’s legs tired added a sixth to wrap up the scoring.

Team: Matt Hammond; Dave Penny; Paul Griffin; Gunner Lorimer; Lucas Green; Phil Doyle; Dan Colquhoun; Phil Baker; Alex Bushell; Steve Rickerby; Benny Garner
Subs used: James O’Shaughnessy; Gareth Taylor; Mishi Morath

TRAGIC ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF FORMER HAMLET FAVOURITE

Dulwich Hamlet have been left deeply saddened by the news last week that former goalkeeper Trevor Jones has died after a tragic accident at Old Cranleighan Sports Club in Thames Ditton, where he was general manager, just two days before he was due to celebrate his 34th birthday. It is believed that he was electrocuted as he attempted to install a glass washer in the club’s bar. Players from the Old Cranleighan Hockey Club attempted to revive him but after being taken to Kingston General Hospital in a critical condition, he died at around 10 o’clock on Tuesday evening.
Under the management of Frank Murphy, Jones made his debut for Dulwich in October 1995 against Walton & Hersham, making the keeper’s jersey his own until being displaced by Gary McCann the following season. However it is for one match in particular at Dagenham & Redbridge in November 1996 that Jones will be most fondly remembered by Dulwich fans. Suffering an injury crisis, Dulwich were left with just 13 fit players including keepers McCann and Jones, a scenario that saw Jones take to the field in the role of makeshift striker as Dulwich battled their way to a deserved draw at Victoria Road.
Latterly Jones had been Reserve Team Manager at Kingstonian where he was understudy to first team keeper Lance Key but it was his tireless efforts behind the scenes that won him the affection of the K’s fans who remembered him with a minute’s silence before Saturday’s 1-0 triumph over Kettering, a victory manager Kim Harris dedicated to his departed friend.
The funeral will take place at St Christopher’s Church in Thames Ditton on Wednesday 15th October.

Staines 3 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Staines 3 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Saturday 23rd August 2003
Isthmian League Division One South

Despite a heartening fight back from a two goal deficit, ultimately the Hamlet were the architects of their own defeat as the 100% record came to a stuttering finish at Wheatsheaf Park, home of big-spending Staines. Unchanged from victory at Horsham in midweek, Dulwich were confident of maintaining their bright start to the new term and early on held the upper hand. In the eight minute Francis Quarm unleashed a steamer of drive from the edge of the box to which Matt Lovett had to react sharply, diving to his right to batter the ball away. Moments later David Moore produced a mazy dribble that had left defenders dizzy but as he cut into the penalty area, moment’s hesitation cost him dearly as a lunging Steve McGrath tackle robbed him of the ball as he shaped to shoot.
There were ominous portents of what was to come shortly after as concerted Dulwich pressure saw them win a corner. An in-swinger looked destined for the head of Omari Coleman, until Lovett hove into view with a punch off the Hamlet hitman’s head. Suddenly Dulwich found themselves desperately back tracking as the Swans launched a swift counter attack that saw the ball find Dean Pitcher in a scoring position only to fire wide of the target with a shot on the run.
Swans in nickname the Staines team may be but this current side, boasting many years of Conference and Football League experience in its ranks, possess a steely backbone in contrast to that graceful bird. This fact was not lost on Quarm as Mark Pye left his calling card on the young midfielder with a bone-crunching foul that saw Quarm launched into the air but brought nothing stronger that a mild admonishment from the referee. Perhaps the man in black had in mind Pye’s infamous encounter with the equally fiery George Borg that left the former Aldershot manager singing soprano.
As the action swung from end to end both sides had chances, Ronnie Green’s glancing header from a glorious Tony Houghton cross from the left wing whizzing the wrong side of the upright whilst the attentions of Junior Kamara did enough to distract Pitcher as he met a low cross from the right only to loft it into an adjoining garden.
Midway through the first half, things started to go wrong for the Hamlet as Staines snatched the advantage with a brace of goals in less than a minute. Aggrieved at a dubious freekick awarded to the hosts, the Hamlet defence had not yet regained its composure when the ball was delivered and although the first assault was cleared it was not to a position of safety. Matt Flitter was first to the ball and despite an attempt to dispossess him sent in a killer cross to the back post where Paul Ellis was waiting, stooping to power the ball past Paul Seuke.
Dulwich barely had time to digest this when they were caught out once again almost straight from the kick-off. Kezi Ibe latched on to Dulwich dithering, winning the ball and embarking on a one-man mission on the Hamlet goal. In all reality he should not have been allowed to get a shot on but as he stumbled through some half-hearted challenges before firing past a cruelly exposed Seuke, Lee Doherty in particular must have been asking himself how he could not land a telling tackle on the forward.
To the Hamlet’s credit, shell-shocked as they were, there was no question of capitulation as, with skipper Al-James Hannigan cajoling and urging on his young charges, Dulwich turned up the gas to assail the Staines goal. A storming surge down the right saw Green pull the ball back from the goal line to Coleman. Finding his path to goal blocked Coleman laid the ball back to Houghton but his cracker was deflected over the crossbar. Coleman went close himself within minutes as a rasping low drive went just wide of the post.
A great tackle from Houghton allowed Coleman to streak down the left before picking out Green in the centre, the ball making its way to Danny Ward whose effort was blocked.
Two minutes of stoppage time played the Hamlet found a lifeline as the deficit was halved courtesy of a Kamara goal. Rising highest he met a Houghton freekick with a looping header that left Lovett rooted to the spot and sent the Dulwich fans to their half time Bovril a little happier.
Three minutes into the second half and the two sides were back on level terms. A ball over the top found Coleman and his lighting pace left Flitter eating dust as he bore down on goal, giving Lovett no chance as he banged a sizzling low drive home from 10 yards out.
By now referee Kevin Haines, whose reluctance to admonish players had typified the first half, had remembered his cards with both McGrath and Richard Gell getting ones to match their shirts.
With both sides now cranking up the pressure, it seemed certain that further gaols were on the cards, Pitcher stabbing wide after meeting a cross from the left. This was the cue for a flurry of Dulwich set pieces that saw them come within an ace of grabbing a third. Pye was again the perpetrator, Alex O’Brien the victim, the quickly taken freekick seeing Hannigan ghosting in at the back a la Martin Peters hoping to catch the Staines rearguard unawares. Unfortunately Lovett was alert to the danger punching the ball behind for a corner. A deep ball to the back followed with Hannigan lofting in a delicate chip that had the Staines defence flustered as it was heading behind for another corner.
Then suddenly the game was turned on its head as the Hamlet once again found themselves victims of a smash and grab raid as a swift Swans counterattack saw them regain the lead courtesy of a Craig Maskell penalty. For once it was not the veteran striker tumbling to the ground in the penalty area that won the hosts their spot kick but Hamlet could have few complaints about the award as a lazy attempt at a challenge saw Pitcher tumble over Doherty’s outstretched leg. Unlike Tuesday night there was to be no reprieve for the Hamlet as Maskell, deadly as ever from 12 yards gave Seuke no chance with the penalty.
On came Mark Hynes in place of Ward and he almost made an instant impact arching like a salmon to meet a left wing cross but unable to direct it on target.
Dulwich’s task became even more difficult when they were reduced to ten men after Houghton’s express train lunge into Ellis left the Staines defender writhing in agony on the floor and Mr Haines brandishing a red card. It may have been a genuine attempt to win the ball but the Staines player’s reaction convinced the referee that Houghton’s impetuous tackle merited dismissal.
Even with ten men the Hamlet were not yet down but time was against them. Hynes almost set up Coleman from close range only for a defender to nick the ball off his toes. Haughton was sent tumbling in the box but no penalty resulted and in the dying embers of the match Hynes got on the end of a Hannigan delivery with a diving header a fraction off target.

Teams:
Staines:
Matt Lovett; Paul Ellis; Darren Deegan; Steve McGrath; Matt Flitter; Julian Sills; Richard Gell; Paul Ellis; Kezie Ibe; Craig Maskell; Dean Pitcher
Subs: Phil Dicker; Jon McDonald; Darren Beale; Eddie van Halen; Danny Rouco

Dulwich Hamlet:
Paul Seuke; Junior Kamara; Lee Doherty; Alex O’Brien; Al-James Hannigan; David Moore (Warren Haughton 84); Tony Houghton; Francis Quarm; Omari Coleman; Danny Ward (15: Mark Hynes 75); Ronnie Green (Eben Allen 63)
Subs not used: Charley Side; Scott Ward (GK)

JEEPERS KEEPERS

Dulwich Hamlet resident statto, John Lawrence, has been scouring the record books after the South London club used a total of five different goalkeepers in the space of less than an hour of football last week. With 12 minutes left of their second leg Bryco Cup semi-final tie remaining and Dulwich trailing by two goals on aggregate, keeper Scott Ward was sent off for holding back an opponent just inside the penalty area. Having previously gone between the sticks albeit in a friendly several years ago, Lee Akers took on the goalie’s shirt and the responsibility of facing the spotkick, but was unable to keep out Nevin Saroya’s precise penalty. Shortly afterwards Steve Restarick who’d been stuggling with a groin injury was pulled off by manager Martin Eede who brought on substitute custodian James Mercer, relieving Akers of his goalkeeping duties. However there was no happy ending to the story as although Dulwich pulled back a late equaliser on the night through Omari Coleman, they bowed out of the competition 4-6 on aggregate. It was a different tale on Saturday as Dulwich resumed their battle to stay in the promotion race with a trip to deadly rivals Tooting and Mitcham. Approaching half time and with the sides deadlocked at 0-0, the ill-starred Scott Ward finished a nightmare five days by crumpling to the ground in agony as he took a goal kick. As he was stretchered from the field, his namesake Danny Ward donned the gloves and jersey for the final few seconds of the half. With no specialist keeper on the bench the reins of responsibility passed to substitute Jon Ashton for the second half and to chants of ‘England’s Number One’ from the Dulwich travelling fans, the big Cornish defender proceeded to deal with anything Tooting could throw at him, keeping a clear sheet as Dulwich completed a league and Trophy treble over the Terrors with a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Mark Hynes and Coleman (penalty).

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

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Dulwich Kick-start Season With Victory over Leaders

Dulwich Hamlet put their disappointing Christmas behind them as they picked up a welcome three points at home to Carshalton Athletic. The game, rearranged from New Year’s Day after a waterlogged pitch forced a postponement, might have been in doubt due to the freezing conditions but the sterling efforts of the groundstaff ensured that the pitch was playable and the crowd was treated to a cracking encounter as Dulwich outthought and out-fought the title favourites to clinch victory. The only goal of the game was scored after twelve minutes when a pass found Peter Adeniyi out on the left wing. A couple of shimmies and a brace of bemused defenders later he whipped a low cross into the penalty area. There the ball was met by Gavin Rose who beat goalkeeper Stuart Searle with a sweet and simple sidefooted effort from 12 yards. Dulwich might have added a second midway through the second half as substitute Omari Coleman, back from injury, met an Adeniyi cross first time, his effort beating Searle but cannoning back off the upright. Remarkably, with the goal at his mercy and Searle sprawling, Junior Kadi somehow managed to smack the rebound against the opposite post. Still the danger was not cleared with Francis Quarm providing the cross from which a Lee Akers forced a fine save out of Searle as he turned the ball over the crossbar. The reaction of the two opposing managers at the final whistle was pure contrast as Martin Eede was left beaming. By contrast, Robin’s boss Graham Roberts earned himself a red card for a tirade against the referee after the final whistle, aggrieved at the amount of stoppage time played.

All Change at Champion Hill

Competition for the keeper’s jersey at Dulwich Hamlet has intensified with new that manager Martin Eede has resigned Scott Ward. The former Luton number one and brother of Millwall’s Darren left Champion Hill in December to join Premier Division strugglers Grays Athletic but found himself relegated to the bench when Grays brought in former Southend United custodian Melvin Capleton for last Saturday’s victory over Enfield. Ward reclaimed the Dulwich gloves for the visit of Carshalton Athletic on Tuesday night and marked his return with a clean sheet against the division leaders. A smiling Martin Eede was pleased with his dilemma over the two highly rated young keepers and compared himself to Ron Greenwood having to choose between Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton.
Additionally Dulwich have captured striker Jermaine Amanuel from promotion rivals Lewes and he also made his debut in that victory over Carshalton. Hamlet fans may remember him from the defeat at the Dripping Pan back in October when scoring a late second goal to confirm the Rooks’ 2-0 victory.
Leaving the Hamlet are Danny Husbands and Luke Basford. Husbands originally joined the Hamlet in autumn 2001 after a spell out of the game following injury. It was while filming for Sky’s Dream Team, in which he still regularly appears, that Dulwich striker Declan Perkins recommended the Hamlet and industrious midfielder Danny went on to make 51 appearances scoring 3 times. Left back Basford joined from Whyteleafe in the close season but despite some exceptional performances faced increased competition from Kemal Bulent in the left wing back role.

FA Trophy

South Londoners are more used to making the long trip down to Margate for their holidays but this coming Saturday the roles will be reversed as Champion Hill looks forward to their biggest game since 1996 when Southport escaped with a narrow 1-0 victory in the FA First Round, Dulwich’s first appearance at that stage for half a century. Whilst the FA Cup has long been consigned to memory, the Hamlet have reserved some of their best performances for the FA Trophy in recent years. Last season they disposed of Premier Division Billericay Town, before narrowly losing a seven-goal thriller at home to Braintree Town. This term has already seen the Pink and Blues beat Met Police in a replay a result that set up a monster tie against old rivals Tooting and Mitcham at their brand spanking new Imperial Fields stadium. In torrential rain, Dulwich overcame the setback of Gavin Rose’s dismissal and a 2-1 deficit to fight back and claim a stunning 3-2 triumph, thanks to a brace from Declan Perkins. Next up came the long trek to the West Country where a single Eben Allen goal was enough to secure victory.
Dulwich manager Martin Eede is not normally a man to go overboard but he quietly fancies his team’s chances of causing an upset against the Conference strugglers. ‘With injuries worries receding I hope to have my main strike force up and running in time for this match’, he said. ‘Also our defence again showed it is capable of being as mean as my Chairman in the bar!’
Margate currently lie one place above the relegation zone in the Conference but have proved themselves adept in knockout competitions in recent years. Last season they got to the Sixth Round of the Trophy before going down to Morecambe at home. This season their heroics have come in the FA Cup where they famously dispatched Leyton Orient 1-0 in a replay, John Keister converting the penalty that took them through, before going down 3-0 in a home tie against Cardiff City. The main threat will come from leading scorer and England Semi-Pro Leon Braithwaite who has bagged eight goals this term despite an injury-enforced layoff.

LEAD WEIGHTS ON THE B******S?

The world of Formula One motor-racing, as anodyne as a WI meeting since they decided to try and get rid of the only things that made it interesting (i.e. the danger and the possibility that one of the drivers might be at least injured if not mortally wounded in some spectacular crash), actually managed to become even more mind-numbingly tedious last year with the Ferraris’, and Michael Schumacher in particular, overwhelming dominance ensuring that the majority of races were little more than an procession. In an effort to make the ‘sport’ more interesting and cling on to those vital tobacco advertising dollars, Bernie Eccleston and his cronies (sorry the sport’s governing body, the FIA) spent many hours scratching their heads in a vain attempt to find some innovative ideas that would keep viewers glued to their sets and that free-flowing revenue on tap. The public anticipated all sorts of innovative ideas that might make the racing just and little bit more competitive and return Formula One to those halcyon days of Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, etc when the only danger a driver feared was a stray champagne cork taking out an eye. However in the end of course all they came up was a tiny bit of rule tinkering, but the rumours of what they were going to do to stop Schumacher winning every single race were magnificent.
Fed up with the inexorable march of the Ferraris to victory at each event, it seemed there were no end to the measures that the authorities were contemplating. For a while it looked as though the smut Kraut would be forced into taking the wheel of Reliant Robin to try and make things a bit more challenging, or perhaps a black cab with the fare light on, thus forcing him to stop and pick up any other drivers that broke down. At the very least he would have to drive with one hand tied behind his back, backwards or have his helmet visor painted black.
For most of this season, it has looked as if Topsy-Turvy might have to consider something similar with Carshalton Athletic. With a sugar daddy in the boardroom and Graham Roberts on the bench, they have been widely tipped since pre-season to stroll to a promotion place, if not the Championship. Despite an opening day slip up at Lewes, they have continued to sweep all before them and look set to claim their place in the Premier Division come May.
So what about some handicapping for the Robins then? Perhaps every time the venerable Steve Darlington tucks away a goal he should be made to carry a substitute around on his back for the next half an hour, or if Bernadette Ouefio hits the back of the net his shoelaces should be tied together until the next goal is scored. At least with Stuart Searle back between the sticks, it looks as if the handicappers have already been at work, insisting that the old stager be played instead of young Paul Borg. If you don’t believe me look at the Robins’ stats – in Searle’s last ten appearances (up to Boxing Day in case the Hamlet went nuts on Tuesday!) Carshalton have conceded one goal in nine of them, the only exception being two at Canvey Island in the FA Trophy.
As for the Hamlet they seem to be doing their level best to handicap themselves, results against Bracknell and Whyteleafe in recent weeks spring to mind, but should the need arise I suppose there are a number of ways in which the blazers at League headquarters (a shed at the bottom of Nick Robinson’s garden).
Lee Akers could be forced to at last act his age, putting off the young whippersnappers around him in defence by constantly grumbling that it wasn’t like this in his day and he didn’t fight a war for them all to stand idly around at corners. The Hamlet’s answer to Bodie and Doyle, Jon Ashton and Danny Husbands, should be forced to update their fashion sense from the 70’s including a sensible short back and sides with the result effect on their public image that they would probably come out on to the field with paper bags on their heads! Steffan Ball should be made to play on his knees – not a huge handicap as he’d still tower over most players and anyway his heading is not really a strong point, although it might restrict his mobility a bit. Meanwhile The Terminator (aka Danny Ward) should be sent away for elocution lessons during his next suspension. Probably won’t stop him giving refs earache but at least ‘Excuse me Sir, but despite the forward missing a limb, I feel that was a valid challenge and perfectly timed’ might elicit a better response that the usual flood of invective directed in the direction of the man in black. As for Junior Kadi, should he start turning on the style then the Lawrence Marsh Diktat is invoked, the aforementioned Mr Marsh called from the terraces to run alongside Junior and point out his failings unceasingly. What more could be done – a mobile burger van under the bus shelter to distract Martin Eede? Replace those white boots of Omari Coleman with ballet shoes? There’s no end to the steps that could be taken in the name of fairness!

North Ferriby United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2

North Ferriby United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Pre-Season Challenge Match
Saturday 3rd August 2002

North Ferriby’s picturesque Church Road, the mighty span of the Humber Bridge framing the backdrop, made a attractive setting as Dulwich got their East Riding tour off to a tentative start with a faltering 2-2 draw against the local County Cup holders. The steamy conditions and a draining coach journey made all the worse by a shunt on the A1 almost affected the players as defensive lapses and a failure to convert inviting opportunities contributed to the result.
The hosts had the better of the early exchanges although Nick Leach will be disappointed with a low drive that skewed wide when he had found himself with space just outside the penalty area. The Dulwich goal survived a scare shortly afterwards when a crisp volley on the edge of the box from Gavin Knight just miss its intended target.
Weathering the early storm, Dulwich found their way back into the game and Paul Scott’s predatory instincts almost paid as he leapt on a sloppy pass at the back. Brushing aside the attentions of two defenders determined to make him the meat in a sandwich, he tried one trick too many, attempting to dribble round Paul Sharp in goal but seeing the keeper bravely take the ball off his feet.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Declan Perkins collected a long ball from the wing, knocking a neat ball on to the penalty spot for Francis Quarm to hit first time and finish with a crafty lob over the advancing Sharp who found himself stranded in No Man’s Land as the ball bounced into the net.
Without a minute that lead could have been wiped out but when Martin Garrett swept down the left before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box, Leon Wainman was left shaking his head in disbelief as he failed to provide the killer touch scuffing the ball wide of the upright.
Quarm might have added to his tally in the 25th minute when Sharp came to punch away a freekick but missed leaving Quarm to attempt to chip the ball home through a forest of defenders but just missing the target. Some great work from Scott culminating in a wicked cross from the goalline should have brought reward but with the goal at his mercy Perkins glanced header went wide of the post. Seconds later Dulwich were made to pay as a bizarre gaol worthy of investigation by Mulder and Scully brought the hosts level. Sharp launched a booming goalkick that seemed to pose little danger until a breakdown in communications saw Vill Powell sneak in between Mercer and his defence and dribble round the forlorn keeper before gleefully banging the ball into the empty net. Shell-shocked by this Dulwich were soon in deeper trouble as Powell turned provider scampering off down the left flank, despite protestations of offside, before centring the ball to fellow striker Knight who had the simple task of turning the ball past an incensed Mercer. Heated discussions with the officials ensued but to no avail and the goal stood.
With the heat taking its toll, changes were made throughout the half and two of Dulwich’s combined early on as tricky skills from Rob Hughes on the left paved the way for Charley Side’s to attempt a devilish curling effort from the edge of the box that had Sharp scurrying across his goal but was ultimately wide of the mark. Slack marking was almost punished when scorer Knight found himself unmarked at the back as he met a cross from the left wing but to Dulwich’s relief his header went astray.
On 69 minutes a Ferriby freekick caused some degree of panic in the Dulwich box but when Ian Ashby got his effort in Quarm popped up on his own goalline to boot the ball to safety. Two minutes later Dulwich introduced Frank Burton, a promising young striker recommended by old hand and fans’ favourite Lee Akers, and he was to have an almost instantaneous effect. Quarm’s tenacious tackling won the ball in midfield and he found Side in the D with an adroit pass. Side instantly fed Burton who had left his marker for dead before drawing Sharp and with a composed finish, he levelled the score. Indeed the new lad might have further endeared himself to the travelling faithful in stoppage time when a long ball saw Side hare away before centring to Burton, but this time his finishing was less effective as he lifted the ball over the keeper and bar.
At the end of a gruelling day that had begun at 8.00 a.m. in the car park at Champion Hill, an honourable draw seemed a fitting result, although the first-rate hosts were probably more pleased.

Team: James Mercer; Justin Bowen; Luke Basford; Dave Richards; Chris Currie; Nick Leach; Francis Quarm; Junior Kadi; Declan Perkins; Paul Scott; Ryan Pacey

Subs used: Tony Chin; Charley Side; Rob Hughes; Ward Trowman; Michael Ebanks; Jimmy Goldsmith; Frank Burton; Danny Ward; Danny Twin

MET POLICE CAUGHT SHORT BY REFEREE

The Met Police might have lowered their height restrictions for new recruits but someone at Imber Court forgot to tell the groundsman that that ruling does not apply to the goalposts as well! On Tuesday night Dulwich Hamlet became the latest victims of the shrinking goal phenomenon that is sweeping non-league football as their Ryman Division One South Match at Met Police was called off by referee Bruce McLaren at 7-00 p.m., 45 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time. This too late to prevent the Dulwich players, officials and supporters from travelling with several bemused fans arriving at the Coppers’ Imber Court ground to find both sides’ players and management clustered around the man in black, who armed with a tape measure was sizing up the goal. Although both sides were happy to play the match, Mr McClaren’s discovery that one crossbar was two inches too low resulted in a wasted journey for all. Manager Martin Eede was particularly disgruntled for not only was this a chance to erase the memory of Saturday’s mind-numbing scoreless draw with Banstead and get the promotion train back on track, but it was also a dress-rehearsal for the FA Trophy tie on Saturday week. The game will be replayed at a later date but the embarrassed police may find themselves recipients of a hefty fine for their failure to fulfil the fixture.

Forthcoming Fixtures & Latest News

Wednesday 14th August:

Dulwich have announced an extra friendly this coming Wednesday when they travel to Worthing FC to take on Withdean 2000 of the Combined Counties League. The game is being played at Woodside Road in Worthing and kick off time is 7-30 p.m.

Saturday 17th August:

Dulwich kick-off the 2002-2003 season this coming Saturday when they entertain Horsham FC keen to expunge memories of an embarrassing 2-0 defeat in the FA Cup Preliminary Round last season, a result that proved to be one of the first nails in the coffin as far as Gwynne Berry’s tenure in the Champion Hill hotseat was concerned. However despite not being among the favourites, the Hornets surprised most of their rivals as they trailed eventual champions Lewes by just six points in clinching the runners-up spot. They will not be mugs this season either.

Monday 19th August:

With the injuries and suspensions cruelly afflicting Dulwich’s build up to the start of the season, this game could hardly have could at a worse time. Under the tutelage of former Spurs’ star Graham Roberts, a man with a fine managerial pedigree in Non League Football, the Robins have quickly been installed as favourites for the championship of Division One South, a tag they have justified with fine victories at Premier Division Chesham United and over local rivals Sutton United in the pre-season build-up. Among summer signings that reinforce the pundits’ predictions is that is Tooting marksman Nigel Webb, a predator supreme, who is sure to keep the Dulwich defence on its toes all evening. Add to that the steel of Steve Darlington in midfield and Keith Dublin in defence and a potent brew is being mixed at Colston Avenue. Handle it carefully Dulwich or it may blow your head off!

Romford FC 1 Dulwich Hamlet 4

Romford FC 1 Dulwich Hamlet 4
Pre-Season Challenge Match
11th August 2001

A week away from the opening day of the season, Dulwich clinically put sorry Romford to the sword, although the final margin of victory flattered the hosts as the Hamlet failed to polish off a multitude of chances that could have seen them rattle up a cricket score in the ninety minutes. However some of the goals scored were of such exquisite execution that the travelling faithful would surely spurn the lack of quantity in favour of quality.
The only new face on display was that of Landry Zahana-Oni, once of Bromley and Luton Town, who came in for Declan Perkins in the vanguard of the attack. Injuries also played their part with James Mercer and Al-James Hannigan suffering minors tweaks that saw them sit this one out.
From the start it was obvious that this battle between two great old names of the Isthmian League was something of mismatch. The home defence found themselves battling to contain a rampant Dulwich attack that bombarded the home goal from the off. How that goal remain unpenetrated for so long must remain a mystery but it was not for want of Hamlet exertion, Ryan Gray in particular earning a mention in dispatches as he exploited an evil slope to pepper the Romford six-yard box with a succession of inviting crosses.
After Rob French had gone close with a long range dipping effort that singed the bar, Joel Rogers brought the best out of home keeper Nicky Wilson. Trapping the ball on his chest, he left his marker for dead, turning into the box. Only Wilson remained to thwart him as the goal lay at his mercy, but the valiant save that was called for materialised and the scores remained level – for the moment. Three minutes later Gray found himself denied by Wilson when he met a deep cross to the bar post, only to see his header saved at the base of the post.
Romford’s chances were few and far between, but moments after this let off, they were nearly gifted the lead when Kevin Clark found himself unmarked in the box to loop a header goalwards. For a moment it seemed as if Dulwich keeper, Danny Burgess, had been caught flatfooted but he recovered to pluck the ball out from under the bar. Apart from that scare the home side were restricted to a few long-range efforts that seemed to upset the dogs in the kennels behind the goal more than Burgess does.
Dulwich continued to batter away but somehow Romford’s defence refused to crumble. Gray’s mishit shot turned into an inviting cross but it ran too far in front of Rogers. Not giving up was Julian Old and his resilience meant he just kept the ball in before lofting a deep cross to Gray at the back post. Somehow from a few feet out he got under the ball and pumped a header high over the bar. Several heads went into hands at this clanger but payback time was not far away.
A moment later Rogers misdirected a powerful header straight into keeper’s hands, but Gray’s disappointment was about to turn to delight. Picking up the ball on the left wing from Michael Ebanks, a roguish nutmeg was followed by a searing drive into the box to Zahana-Oni. A deft flick of the heel and the Romford players between himself and the goal line vanished leaving him the simple chance of knocking the ball home from less than a yard.
Romford barely had time to recover from this when a stunner from Rogers earned rapturous applause from home and visiting fans alike. Nodding the ball forward, he juggled it on his knee, flicking the ball into the air before unleashing a thunderous shot from fully 30 yards out that gave Wilson not a prayer.
With the season only a week away, Dulwich seemed to step off the gas, although they might well have added to the scoreline. Instead the Hamlet faithful had to wait until the closing seconds of the half before the Romford rearguard was breached again. Again Gray was the provider, a deep cross picking out Zahana-Oni whose precise header into the bottom corner of the net left Wilson standing rooted to the spot.
A raft of substitutions preceded the start of the second half – Luke Edgehill, Wayne Grant, Sheldon Brown and Danny Ward all given the opportunity to stake a place in the opening day’s line-up. However most surprising was the bloke in the goalkeeper’s shirt, manager Gwynne Berry taking over the gloves from an injured Burgess who had tweaked a hamstring. Not that he seemed keen, proffering the gloves in the direction of the Dulwich fans gathered behind the goal, although his offer was declined.
The one way traffic of the first half remained in place as the second got underway, with Edgehill proving a real torment for the Romford defenders, constantly leading them a merry dance. Within a minute of the kick-off, his mazy run was only denied the ultimate reward by another fine Wilson save. Minutes later and that man Wilson was again to the fore, his block preventing Old increasing the deficit.
However on 53 minutes, even Wilson’s acrobatics could not stop Dulwich from making it four. Another rasper of a goal, this time the perpetrator one Danny Ward, meeting a crossfield ball 25 yards out to rifle a shot wide of Wilson and into the back of the net.
Zahana-Oni could well have claimed a hat trick 3 minutes later as a corner caused panic in the home box. The ball pinged around before Zahana-Oni’s touch but he could only direct at the relieved Wilson.
As the afternoon wore on, Romford were allowed to fight their way back into the game and Berry’s quiet sojourn between the sticks came to a abrupt end as he was forced into action, making some crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet, including a fine save at the feet of ?
However the stand-in keeper was left cruelly exposed 10 minutes from the death, when the referee rather generously awarded Romford a penalty after Clark stumbled over Nick Leach’s feet as he chased the ball. Dean Harding’s penalty was expertly executed and left Berry standing as he slotted it neatly into the bottom corner to give the final scoreline an air of respectability.
Both sides had suffered the ignominy of relegation last season, Dulwich from the lofty heights of the Premier Division, Romford from Division One (though that paled into insignificance with the potential demise that threatened them then and still hangs ominously over Sungate) and on this performance the team most likely to regain former status would surely have to the Hamlet.

Team: Danny Burgess; Oliver Hunt; Michael Ebanks; Gwynne Berry; Nick Leach; Rob French; Julian Old; Francis Quarm; Joel Rogers; Landry Zahana-Oni; Ryan Gray
Subs not used: Wayne Grant; Danny Ward; Luke Edghill; Sheldon Brown

North Ferriby United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2

North Ferriby United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Pre-Season Challenge Match
Saturday 3rd August 2002

North Ferriby’s picturesque Church Road, the mighty span of the Humber Bridge framing the backdrop, made a attractive setting as Dulwich got their East Riding tour off to a tentative start with a faltering 2-2 draw against the local County Cup holders. The steamy conditions and a draining coach journey made all the worse by a shunt on the A1 almost affected the players as defensive lapses and a failure to convert inviting opportunities contributed to the result.
The hosts had the better of the early exchanges although Nick Leach will be disappointed with a low drive that skewed wide when he had found himself with space just outside the penalty area. The Dulwich goal survived a scare shortly afterwards when a crisp volley on the edge of the box from Gavin Knight just miss its intended target.
Weathering the early storm, Dulwich found their way back into the game and Paul Scott’s predatory instincts almost paid as he leapt on a sloppy pass at the back. Brushing aside the attentions of two defenders determined to make him the meat in a sandwich, he tried one trick too many, attempting to dribble round Paul Sharp in goal but seeing the keeper bravely take the ball off his feet.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Declan Perkins collected a long ball from the wing, knocking a neat ball on to the penalty spot for Francis Quarm to hit first time and finish with a crafty lob over the advancing Sharp who found himself stranded in No Man’s Land as the ball bounced into the net.
Without a minute that lead could have been wiped out but when Martin Garrett swept down the left before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box, Leon Wainman was left shaking his head in disbelief as he failed to provide the killer touch scuffing the ball wide of the upright.
Quarm might have added to his tally in the 25th minute when Sharp came to punch away a freekick but missed leaving Quarm to attempt to chip the ball home through a forest of defenders but just missing the target. Some great work from Scott culminating in a wicked cross from the goalline should have brought reward but with the goal at his mercy Perkins glanced header went wide of the post. Seconds later Dulwich were made to pay as a bizarre gaol worthy of investigation by Mulder and Scully brought the hosts level. Sharp launched a booming goalkick that seemed to pose little danger until a breakdown in communications saw Vill Powell sneak in between Mercer and his defence and dribble round the forlorn keeper before gleefully banging the ball into the empty net. Shell-shocked by this Dulwich were soon in deeper trouble as Powell turned provider scampering off down the left flank, despite protestations of offside, before centring the ball to fellow striker Knight who had the simple task of turning the ball past an incensed Mercer. Heated discussions with the officials ensued but to no avail and the goal stood.
With the heat taking its toll, changes were made throughout the half and two of Dulwich’s combined early on as tricky skills from Rob Hughes on the left paved the way for Charley Side’s to attempt a devilish curling effort from the edge of the box that had Sharp scurrying across his goal but was ultimately wide of the mark. Slack marking was almost punished when scorer Knight found himself unmarked at the back as he met a cross from the left wing but to Dulwich’s relief his header went astray.
On 69 minutes a Ferriby freekick caused some degree of panic in the Dulwich box but when Ian Ashby got his effort in Quarm popped up on his own goalline to boot the ball to safety. Two minutes later Dulwich introduced Frank Burton, a promising young striker recommended by old hand and fans’ favourite Lee Akers, and he was to have an almost instantaneous effect. Quarm’s tenacious tackling won the ball in midfield and he found Side in the D with an adroit pass. Side instantly fed Burton who had left his marker for dead before drawing Sharp and with a composed finish, he levelled the score. Indeed the new lad might have further endeared himself to the travelling faithful in stoppage time when a long ball saw Side hare away before centring to Burton, but this time his finishing was less effective as he lifted the ball over the keeper and bar.
At the end of a gruelling day that had begun at 8.00 a.m. in the car park at Champion Hill, an honourable draw seemed a fitting result, although the first-rate hosts were probably more pleased.

Team: James Mercer; Justin Bowen; Luke Basford; Dave Richards; Chris Currie; Nick Leach; Francis Quarm; Junior Kadi; Declan Perkins; Paul Scott; Ryan Pacey

Subs used: Tony Chin; Charley Side; Rob Hughes; Ward Trowman; Michael Ebanks; Jimmy Goldsmith; Frank Burton; Danny Ward; Danny Twin

Sex and the suburbs: Howard Jacobson's Dulwich

Middle-class respectability prevails, the schools are reassuringly private and well-heeled professionals abound. Just don't look behind the bushes, warns Roger Wilkes of the Daily Telegraph

People flock to Dulwich for three reasons: education, education, education
Why write about Dulwich?
Like other middle-class, south London suburbs, it represents a familiar domestic universe. The novel's hero, raunchy TV critic Frank Ritz, is thrown out of his whitewashed cottage on a village green in Dulwich. ("Dulwich! A garden. A wooden fence. Space. Death with a whiff of life in it.") Jacobson may have had in mind a real-life group of cottages overlooking a duckpond in Dulwich Village. It is divided into three parts: to the north is Dulwich Village, the poshest bit; West Dulwich, where property is cheaper; and East Dulwich, favoured by wealthy young trendies with its excellent links to the City.
While Dulwich might not have been Frank Ritz's cracker of a place, it was a favourite with Dickens's Mr Pickwick ("one of the most pleasant spots near London"). Hard-boiled crime novelist Raymond Chandler lived there as a young journalist in the early 20th century, attacking middle-class conformity in his essay Houses To Let, in which he rails against "the paramount bourgeois spirit . . . those clean smug bookcases which seem to cry aloud that they have as little as possible to do with literature or learning." Chandler attended Dulwich College, as did P G Wodehouse, whose ill-advised broadcasts during the Second World War led to calls for his name to be stricken from the school's roll of honour.
There's a cluster of exquisite Georgian houses in Dulwich Village (the best road and very expensive) but the local stock is mostly Edwardian, highly sought-after by families (which is why it is known locally as "Nappy Land").
What's it like in the book?
In the book, Dulwich seems to stand for suburbia incarnate, very different from the traditional Jewish background in Manchester in which Jacobson was brought up. Frank gets out it of as fast as he can, gunning his Saab over the Shepherd's Bush flyover and up the M40 to Oxford, "scrotum as tight as a bag of pennies". He's fleeing from wife Mel, who writes pornographic novels, and with whom he used to enjoy alfresco sex, not always unabashedly: "Jesus Christ, Mel, this is Dulwich Park! We live here!"
When Frank returns to Dulwich from touring his old "shtupping" (love-making) haunts, the house bears no traces of another man, just a bulging brown envelope on the hall table containing Mel's latest juicy pornoscript. "So this is why she's allowed him back; not because she's polished off a lover, but because she's polished off a book. He isn't sure whether he's relieved. What's worse, being in competition with the rest of your sex, or being in competition with literature?"
Has it changed?
No. Jacobson's book was only published in 1998. (It was not critically acclaimed: Germaine Greer peered askance at the novel's priapic preoccupations and called it "an organ concerto which rarely rises to the vox humana".) People flock to Dulwich for three reasons: education, education and education. There are several top private schools including Dulwich College, Alleyn's School and James Allen's Girls' School, and excellent state infant and junior schools. People scramble to be in their catchment areas, and that keeps prices up.
Dulwich may be suburban, but it is a proper village, complete with bookshop, boulangerie, deli, pretty park and even country-style fingerposts. The journey by rail from North Dulwich to London Bridge takes just 12 minutes. Dulwich Picture Gallery, the oldest public art gallery in England, designed by Sir John Soane, opened in 1814.
There's very little for sale in Dulwich Village. That's partly due to a seasonal lull, but mainly because September 11 had a huge impact on the property market hereabouts. "There's a lot of big money around here," explains Caroline Le Gassick, of Spencer Kennedy, "and if the financial markets aren't happy, the property market doesn't move."
Who lives there?
Local celebs include the Governor of the Bank of England, Eddie George. Dulwich attracts hordes of wealthy professionals such as bankers, lawyers and doctors. "If there's anything wrong with you," says one agent, "you can always find a consultant in Dulwich." But many teachers who used to live there have been priced out of the market.
Dulwich Village residents include the Scottish actor Iain Glen, who starred with Nicole Kidman on stage in The Blue Room. In more cosmopolitan (and more affordable) East Dulwich, watch out for TV stars from The Bill and The Thin Blue Line.
Three of a costly kind: on the market in Dulwich
£645,000 Sitting proudly in the Village itself, four bedrooms don't come cheap around here. Harvey & Wheeler (020 8693 4321)
£595,000 The owners of this 1960s log cabin are pioneering in both postcode (SE26) and style. Spencer Kennedy (020 8693 7835).
£750,000 Once known as West Norwood, now it is West Dulwich and prices have risen. Five bedrooms. Volker & Volker (020 8670 8000).

CROYDON FC 2 DULWICH HAMLET 1

CROYDON FC 2 DULWICH HAMLET 1
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.

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