Dulwich Hamlet 6 Tooting and Mitcham United 7

(After Extra Time - Full Time 5-5)

FA Trophy Preliminary Round Replay

Tuesday 10th October 2006

“And gentlemen in England, now abed, Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's Day.”

Young lads, sitting upon their grandfather’s knee, might have listened incredulous to tall tales of matches such as these in days of yore when sweets were rationed but goals were not. Flat caps were de rigueur in the days Champion Hill last witnessed a game of such outright lunacy as this contest for the dubious privilege of a trip to Borehamwood in the First Round of this competition, though that will come with the morning hangover for Tooting’s travelling band for whom the biggest prize on offer was bragging rights till next this two cross swords in anger. For Hamlet there is only introspection, half-a-dozen goals but still defeat, careless defending as much at fault as Tooting firepower.

With Hamlet unchanged from Saturday, it was left to the visitors to make the alterations with Simon Mitchell and Jamie Findlay elevated from the bench to the starting line-up. Barring Henry Darko, this was the selection that had ended the original tie on a high and they opened the evening’s entertainment in a similar manner. Craig Tanner posted intention with a crunching tackle that left Nicolas Plumain crumpled on the floor as the first whistle was still drifting off on the breeze. A rattled Hamlet then found themselves trailing with just two minutes on the clock as a left wing cross as nodded out by Danny Moore only as far as Matt York. A delicately placed header from the Tooting skipper wide to Allan McLeod, overlapping down the right, set up the one-time Hamlet man to spin over a deep cross to the back of the six yard box to the lurking Paul Vines and despite Dulwich custodian Chris Lewington getting a hand to the ball there was no way he could prevent the striker’s powerful header finding the back of the net.

Vines might have turned villain on 10 minutes when a heavy challenge on Kenny Beaney gave the Hamlet a free kick a yard outside the penalty area but Beaney failed to extract vengeance as he curled the dead ball over the crossbar. No matter, three more minutes elapsed and Dulwich were back on level terms. Chris Dickson bullied Dean Hamlin off the ball before powering towards goal. Drawing keeper Dave King away from his goal, Dickson squared the ball across goal to the waiting Phil Williams and the wingman had the simplest of tasks to tuck the ball into the net as it lay invitingly open in front of him.

The two sides exchanged chances as first Dickson, after some tricky juggling of the ball, tried a long distance stab at goal before Vines unleashed a steamer of a drive on the run that brought an equally stunning save out of young Lewington as he flung himself across goal to one-handedly turn the ball past his left upright.

Midway through the half and Hamlet were forced into a reshuffle as centre-half Gavin Dayes limped from the field of combat to be replaced by Cedric Meeko. Back into the heart of defence dropped Daniel Nwanze, Meeko taking on his midfield enforcer role. The substitute soon found himself incurring the ire of the referee as his first tackle brought a yellow card. This piece of eccentric officiating from Mr Collins may have irked but his next key contribution was to invoke apoplexy amongst the Hamlet following as he awarded his third penalty of the tie. Under minimal contact and zero protest from the Black and White hoards behind the goal, Vines went to ground in the area and suddenly Mr Collins was pointing to the spot. York again took on responsibility and, if his Saturday conversion had lacked conviction, there was no doubt as to where this one was going as he hammered the ball high into the top corner of the net beyond Lewington’s despairing dive.

Attacking down the left, Williams created an opening that ended with Beaney’s effort curling wide from 20 yards out. Soon after King was almost embarrassed as a low ball behind the defence, a fraction too far ahead of Dickson, evaded the keeper’s grasp but rolled wide of the far post much to King’s relief. Back the action swung to the other end as Tooting forced a corner; the omnipresent Vines arriving unmarked at the front of the six yard box only to bullet his header over the bar. Right on half time, Tooting thought they had been gifted a second penalty as Nwanze seemed to handle a left wing cross but the whistle from Mr Collins was to signal the break, not another spot kick.

Half time saw Dulwich replace the ineffectual David Moore with the lightning quick Eniola Oluwa and his pace was to play a direct influence in Hamlet’s next equaliser on 50 minutes. Haring down the left wing, Oluwa laid in a low cross that King seemed to have bravely claimed at the feet of the predatory Dickson but somehow the ball squirmed from his grasp. With the goal gaping Williams might have capitalised instantly but he chose to take on Tanner only to be unceremoniously upended. As Tanner was booked for his misdemeanour, Dickson shaped up to take the spot kick, oblivious to Hamlin’s attempts to unnerve him, kicking the ball off the spot as he walked past, an offence committed under the gaze of the assistant referee but going unpunished. Calmness personified, Dickson steeped up to the mark and brazenly rolled the ball home as he sent King the wrong way.

Dulwich delirium was swiftly substituted for Tooting thrills as the visitors restored their lead almost instantly. The Hamlet rearguard went to sleep as Vines nodded a long punt into the space between keeper and defence, Findlay capitalising as he latched on to the ball and slid it nonchalantly past Lewington. Twice Dickson threatened to bring things level again but a shot out of nothing was well held by King before the Hamlet striker latched on to a neat pass in the area, only to drive his effort wide of the target.

On 57 minutes, Tooting gave themselves rare breathing space as Dulwich’s glass-jawed defence was laid low once more with Mitchell picking up a pass across the middle before letting fly with a dipping drive from distance that gave a leaping Lewington no chance.

King denied Dickson with a fine one-handed stop as the striker fired a shot in from an acute angle, but Dulwich were to receive another injury blow soon after as Tozer was forced from the field. With no defenders on the bench, Sol Pinnock took the centre-half’s place, the Hamlet’s formation a throw back to the days of dubbin, three across the back, five in attack. Pinnock did not have long to announce his arrival as Hamlet were awarded a free kick on the brink of the area. Up steeped Pinnock, curling the ball up, over the wall and under the crossbar as King flung himself in vain to keep it out.

Vines missed a great chance to restore the two goal four minutes later when he found himself in space of the left of the area only to drive a wayward shot wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy. That miss would soon come back to haunt the Terrors. The racehorse pace of the coltish Pinnock proved too much for the carthorse of the Tooting defence and, as King tried to narrow the angle, Pinnock restored parity insouciantly tucking the ball inside the near post of the advancing custodian.

On came the pocket battleship of the Terrors’ bench, Henry Darko, the young pretender taking the place of battling veteran Mitchell up front but soon Tooting plans were in disarray as McLeod foolishly allowed his tongue to get the better off him. Dithering over a throw, McLeod was incandesced when the referee reversed the throw, his invective earning a second yellow card and dismissal, despite Tooting coach Frank Coles attempts to pull him off before the referee could get his book out.

Remarkably the ten men found extra heart and with three minutes to go it seemed as if the match had been won as Tanner pumped in a deep free kick from the left wing and Sergeant York underlined his leadership, his header lopping crazily over Lewington and dropping behind him into the net. Still the madness was not ended. Hamlet appealed in vain for a penalty as Williams’s headlong dash into the box ended as his legs were removed from under him but the pressure was sustained. The ball found its way to Oluwa who drilled the ball low across the face of the 6 yard box to where Daniel Jones lurked at the back. The youngster kept his head, firing the ball low back across King. In stoppage time, Jones had the chance to win the game as he was sent scampering away down the right but from a difficult angle he lifted his shot wide of the goal with only King standing between him and glory.

Half an hour the Wood would have to wait before they found out their opponents. Early on in extra time, Nwanze met a corner only to loop his header over the crossbar, before the goals started to flow once more. 103 minutes, Hamlet rampaged upfield, the ball finding Jones on the edge of the area. A neat side step eluded his marker but there was a pinch of good fortune about the goal for though the power of the shot might have made King redundant, a deflection left him floundering.

Next attack and Pinnock dragged a shot wide of the upright, but with Hamlet lacking the wisdom of age, they found themselves caught short at the back, Vines taking on and beating Plumain, before an exocet missile of a shot unerringly found its target.

The combatants might have been tiring but there was no let up in the thrills and spills. Dickson’s storming run carved out an opening for Jones, but King reacted in timely fashion to block for a corner. Then cometh the hour, cometh the man as the Hamlet defence was again left in tatters. Adam Broomhead’s speculative shot looked bound for nowhere until it cannoned off a defender into the path of substitute Darko. The reserve team graduate’s moment of glory would not pass him by. Calmly he gathered the ball, waited until Lewington committed himself then hammered a ferocious drive into the far corner of the net.

The cavalry charge was stilled, the blast of the blunderbuss and stench of cordite lingered in the air as Hamlet regrouped themselves for an all out onslaught but to no avail. The facts spoke for themselves, five times Tooting had led in this match, just once had the Hamlet held the upper hand, quality goals scored but excruciating ones conceded. For the victors and neutrals a night to savour, for me, I must hie myself to a dark corner.

Teams:

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Nicolas Plumain; Danny Moore; Daniel Nwanze (Capt.); Gavin Dayes (Cedric Meeko 22); Lewis Tozer (Sol Pinnock 65); David Moore (Eniola Oluwa HT); Kenny Beaney; Daniel Jones; Chris Dickson; Phil Williams

Subs not used: Luke Cornwall, Theo Fairweather-Johnson

T&MUFC: Dave King; Allan McLeod; Craig Tanner; Adam Broomhead; Dean Hamlin; Aaron Day; Vernon Francis; Matt York; Paul Vines (Jason Pinnock 108); Simon Mitchell (Henry Darko 84); Jamie Findlay (Barry Gardner 96)

Subs: Adam Locke; Sheikh Ceesay (GK)

Attendance: 288

Officials:

Referee: Lee Collins (Aldershot)

Assistant Referees: Arif Khalfe (Lambeth) & Mark Williams (Barnes)

Goalscoring:

0-1 T&MUFC Paul Vines 2nd minute

1-1 DHFC Phil Williams 13th minute

1-2 T&MFC Matt York (Penalty) 34th minute

2-2 DHFC Chris Dickson (Penalty) 50th minute

2-3 T&MFC Jamie Findlay 51st minute

2-4 T&MFC Simon Mitchell 57th minute

3-4 DHFC Sol Pinnock 74th minute

4-4 DHFC Sol Pinnock 82nd minute

4-5 T&MFC Matt York 87th minute

5-5 DHFC Daniel Jones 89th minute

Extra Time

6-5 DHFC Daniel Jones 98th minute

6-6 T&MFC Paul Vines 104th minute

6-7 T&MFC Henry Darko 112th minute

Tooting and Mitcham United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 2

The FA Trophy – Preliminary Round

Saturday 7th October 2006

Alongside the great cathedrals of football, Imperial Fields is but a small chapel but its faithful if thinning congregation still await a second coming, the day when the raucous voices of the Black & White hoards is heard once again in land. Latest perceived messiah to take on the heavy mantle of that expectation is one Billy Smith, a man whose sides reflect a philosophy and belief in football in the raw, but for whom the sword of Damocles dangles as his much-hyped charges languish near the foot of the division, gazing plaintively up like paupers at the rich man’s table as the promotion chasers already threaten to gallop over the horizon. One of those highfliers came a-knocking at the doors of Imperial Fields as the FA Trophy brought welcome relief to the drudgery of the league struggle and with it a visit from the Terrors deadliest rivals and Smith’s erstwhile employers, Dulwich Hamlet. The omens were none too good for defeat at Imperial Fields is an unknown to the Hamlet since this continental creation replaced the crumbling edifice that was Sandy Lane.

One surprise in the Hamlet line-up was the replacement of the industrious Luke Cornwall in attack with young Daniel Jones, making his debut in the starting line-up. Those that questioned the decision soon found themselves chewing on their words with the tyro striker capping an impressive performance with a sweetly taken first half goal. With Jason Turley out through injury the only other change for the Hamlet saw Nicolas Plumain come in at right back. For their part the Terrors made just the one switch from a midweek Westview marathon at Croydon Athletic as Jamie Findlay dropped to the bench and Craig Tanner returned to the starting line-up.

Almost from the kick-off, Tooting’s Jason Pinnock had the chance to spark a light in his side’s gloomy season as he latched on to a half hit clearance from Gavin Dayes but could not punish the lapse as a poor shot was scrambled away by Chris Lewington, Hamlet’s cup custodian in the absence of James Pullen.

No Danny Ward to light the fires of enmity, but this game was not to be lacking its fair share of tasty tackles courtesy of Dulwich skipper Daniel Nwanze and one-time Hamlet defender Allan McLeod, both determined to put one over on former sides. Nwanze, who shook the hands of Tooting’s players as captain now shook their bones with a series of wince-inducing challenges. The midfield’s determination cemented a good opening period for the Hamlet that came within an ace of conjuring a goal as Kenny Beaney delivered a leftwing free kick into the near post where a spring heeled Chris Dickson met the ball only to volley wide of the upright.

McLeod too made his mark and might have considered himself lucky to escape with little more than a caution after a wild two footed challenge on Beaney, who might have exacted revenge popping the free kick on to the head of Nwanze only for the cross to be headed over.

Dulwich’s defence still looked vulnerable when tested, a weak pass from Plumain putting Dayes under pressure from Tanner who mugged the Hamlet defender for the ball, only to hit the floor as Dayes made a clumsy attempt to atone. A yellow card for the Hamlet man, though the stripe clad fans were screaming for the ultimate sanction. A haphazardly constructed wall almost proved fatal as Matt York swept the ball round its far edge only to miss the target by a fraction.

19 minutes and an excellently crafted goal saw the Hamlet draw first blood. At first it seemed as if Lewington had shanked his upfield clearance but a helping boot from David Moore on the wing saw the ball flicked over Tooting’s defence, pushed up almost to the halfway line and oblivious to the threat of Dickson until it was too late. Scampering away down the left, Diamond Dickson, so often the beneficiary, turned provider with the sweetest of crosses into the heart of the danger area where Jones was waiting poised to rise and nod the ball home.

From the restart, complacency almost cost Hamlet that hard gotten lead but Paul Vines continued the pattern of wasted chances for the Terrors, dragging a shot wide from a good position. The two sides sparred, chances at a premium until 29 minutes brought a scrappy equaliser. Amid a flurry of bodies in the Hamlet box, Dulwich failed to clear their lines despite a number of chances, an ungainly attempt at an overhead kick from Tanner eventually setting up Vines to stab the ball through a forest of legs into the far corner. The goal proved a rallying point for the hosts, Vines exploiting a gaping hole in the Hamlet rearguard mere moments later but stabbing the ball wide as Lewington bravely flung himself at his feet.

Weathering a torrent of monochrome attacks, Dulwich launched an attack against the tide as Beaney released Phil Williams goalwards, defenders trailing in his wake. It seemed a certain goal but an insipid finish allowed keeper Dave King to rescue his side, saving the shot low to his right. With half time fast approaching, Pinnock was again left cursing his luck as Tanner’s attempted strike from Barry Gardner was deflect into path but despite beating Lewington to the ball the striker could only head wide of the target. A clumsy foul once again set up York to try his luck with a free kick but, from 25 yards out, his effort was shovelled round the post by Lewington. In stoppage time Jones had the chance to add to his goal as David Moore flicked the ball into him but King was his equal, smartly off his line to gather.

Tooting started brightest after the break as Pinnock created the opportunity for Vernon Francis to stab an effort goalward only for Lewington to spot the shot on the line. The wake-up call had arrived for the Hamlet and Williams’ pace once again proved the undoing of the Terrors’ defence. Once more though the finish failed to live up to the anticipation, as King blocked the wingman’s shot with his legs. Next time the two would clash the Tooting custodian would not be so lucky as Williams charged down a McLeod clearance, racing clear on goal only to send sprawling on the left edge of area by King’s flailing hands. Up stepped Dickson to the spot, the ball calmly drilled into the bottom corner of the net despite King making a correct choice of where to dive.

Tooting rang the changes, first Findlay, then little and large strikers in the shape of much-travelled Simon Mitchell and reserve team graduate Henry Darko. In the meantime Beaney escaped with a mere yellow after an ill-judged lunge under the referee’s nose, past leniency surely influencing Mr Collins’ decision. Tooting coach Frank Coles was not as fortunate as his touchline blusterings drew the attention of the man in black and saw him confined to a seat in the stands for the rest of proceedings.

All Tooting’s effort seemed doomed to failure as, even when Hamlet’s defence wobbled, they could force a way through to the equaliser. Then salvation arrived courtesy of the eagle-eyes of an assistant referee, spotting a handball few in the ground, even those with black and white tinted spectacles, managed to pick up. McLeod’s centre struck a Hamlet defender amid a mêlée of players. Mere feet from the incident the referee saw naught but his assistant was flagging, earning a tirade from Stuart Hamlin who had ran to berate him, presumably incensed that a decision had been given against his side. That ire would soon dissolve in elation as a conference between the two officials ended with the award of a penalty kick, much to the chagrin of the nonplussed Hamlet. It was left to York to provide the coup de grace albeit sloppily as he rolled the spot kick wide of Lewington and in via the foot of the post.

Scenting victory Tooting were at the Hamlet’s collective throats, the livewire Darko at the heart of the onslaught. Shortly after Williams’ textbook tackle had ripped the ball off the toes of Findlay as he threatened to charge into the box, Darko nipped in behind the defence, dragging Lewington away from his line. Darko’s pull back seemed too deep, but the ball was headed but to Findlay who unleashed a seemingly unstoppable volley towards goal, unstoppable that is until Lewington redeemed himself with a flying save that had even the Terrors’ diehards behind the goal gasping in admiration, though diluted by frustration. Still the ball ran loose but stretching to a long cross to the back of the box Darko could only stab the ball into the side netting. Vines would waste a great opportunity with a rising drive that cleared the crossbar before both himself and the dangerous Darko had shots charged down in stoppage time before the final whistle brought a end to a derby, perhaps lacking the skill of a Merseyside or a Manchester, but equal in passion amongst the supplicants. Penalties proved significant this time, they may still do come the replay on Tuesday evening.

Teams:

T&MUFC: Dave King; Allan McLeod; Craig Tanner (Jamie Findlay 56); Adam Broomhead; Dean Hamlin; Aaron Day; Vernon Francis; Matt York; Paul Vines; Jason Pinnock (Simon Mitchell 60); Barry Gardner (Henry Darko 71)

Substitutes not used: Kevin Locke; Sheikh Ceesay (GK)

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Nicolas Plumain; Danny Moore; Daniel Nwanze (Capt.); Gavin Dayes; Lewis Tozer; David Moore (Eniola Oluwa 83); Kenny Beaney; Daniel Jones (Carlton Fairweather-Johnson 90); Chris Dickson (Sol Pinnock 83); Phil Williams

Substitutes not used: Cedric Meeko; Luke Cornwall

Attendance: 322

Officials:

Referee: Mr Lee Collins

Assistant Referees: Mr Andy Roberts & Mr Dave Moran

Goalscoring:

0-1 DHFC Daniel Jones 19th minute

1-1 T&MUFC Paul Vines 29th minute

1-2 DHFC Chris Dickson (Penalty) 55th minute

2-2 T&MUFC Matt York (Penalty) 81st minute

Fleet Town 4 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 30th September 2006

A resilient animal the Hamlet fan, a life of highs and lows, a roller coaster that rises high, like the 8-1 demolition of rock bottom Godalming in midweek, only to plummet to earth in a 4-1 defeat at Calthorpe Park as high flying Fleet o’er leapt title favourites Dover into top spot. One week high art, the next low farce. Today fast paced frolic and farce punctuated by the ignominy of skipper Gavin Dayes’ first half moment of madness that saw him rightly dismissed and tore a gaping hole in the Dulwich rearguard, generously exploited by the home forwards, Fleet of name and fleet of foot.

Rearranged at short notice due to original opponents Leatherhead’s continued involvement in the FA Cup, the contest pitched second against third, the division’s two form sides in opposition. Curious that Dulwich should chose such lofty opponents as stand-ins for the clash of the Cup meant they were without regular keeper James Pullen, recalled to Champion Hill to warm the bench as Fisher Athletic struggled to a 7-1 victory over Sittingbourne. In his stead tyro custodian Chris Lewington donned the gloves but though he made some quality saves to keep the score line semi respectable, it was clear the youngster still has some way to go in his goalkeeping education. Hamlet’s only other change from the midweek massacre was the return of Jason Turley at left back, replacing Nicolas Plumain.

As the rain swept across bucolic Calthorpe Park, battle was joined, first shout to the Hamlet as Chris Dickson slipped the bonds of the offside trap but lashed at the chance, his effort rattling overhanging branches but not the net. On eight minutes Dulwich’s defence was similarly breached but unfortunately the result was not the same. Phil John provided the pass that sliced through the Hamlet rearguard to find Michael Douglas running on to the ball and from close range the basic instinct of the goalscorer took above as he hammered the ball past the exposed Lewington.

Down the slippery slope came the Fleet once more as they tried to build on their advantage. Dulwich conceded a corner, up went James Mann, rising highest and powering a header towards goal only to be denied as his attempt crashed back off the crossbar. Soon after Dulwich mounted an attack of their own as Phil Williams wove his way to the brink of the box, bursting past Steve Hemmings only to be surreptitiously tugged back, a sly offence that went unnoticed by both referee and assistant. Having escaped the attention of the officials, skipper Hemmings then escaped the attention of his markers as he met a corner with a firm header but wide of the mark.

Though Fleet had imposed themselves upon the game, they could find few chinks in the Hamlet armour and failure to add to their lead was to prove costly as Dulwich hit back to equalise before the half-hour. Deaf to the plaintive cries for offside ringing in his ears, Chris Dickson galloped on to a threaded pass from Kenny Beaney in the centre of the park, taking the ball to the line before dragging the ball back beyond keeper Justin Gray and finding an inrushing Williams who forced the ball over the goalline from close range. For Hemmings, the assistant referee’s refusal to recognise his claim for offside would earn him a caution.

All that hard work would be undone with ten minutes to go to the break as Dayes and substitute striker Eddie Smith clashed as Dulwich’s defence readied itself for the arrival of a free kick. As Smith slumped to the turf holding his face, players clashed with Turley and Douglas spoken to by the man in black. For a moment it seemed as if the moment had passed but the eagle eyes of the assistant referee had caught the clash in its inglorious intensity. Dayes was summoned by Mr Berry, no need for words, a red card brandished, Dayes' afternoon ended and Dulwich rocky road to defeat commenced. Lewington’s smart save at the foot of his post from James Field, as the midfielder drove in a low free kick, merely delayed an inevitable second goal as Mann arched to nod the ball back across the box to where Smith was waiting to roll the ball home at the back stick.

The assistant marshalling Dulwich’s attack been as eagle eyed as his colleague the Hamlet might have been thrown a lifeline as the sands of the half ran out, Dickson clearly tugged back by the already cautioned Hemmings but once again the defender’s luck was in as penalty claims were waved away. The lead might well have been extended to add to the frustration but Lewington’s agility denied Field as his rising drive was battered away.

With the notorious Calthorpe slope, once the centrepiece of a failed bid to bring the Winter Olympics to deepest Hampshire, in their favour, Dulwich might have hoped to negate their numeric disadvantage but two goals within the space of two minutes would make their onerous task nigh insurmountable. Luke Cornwall had penetrated the home defence almost from the kick-off only the roll the ball across the muddy goalmouth, but Wayne’s World imploded as first Darren Campbell latched on to a pass in from the right by Smith to turn sharply under pressure and tuck the ball under a diving Lewington. Almost straight from the kick-off Dulwich were caught short at the back, vainly looking for a flag as John dashed to meet a pass. Lewington rushed from his line but came off second best as he and John tussled for the ball and he struggled to regain his ground was beaten as the Fleet midfielder tucked the ball home from a tight angle.

The Dulwich management’s response was inject guile and steel as Daniel Jones replaced Cornwall whilst Eniola Oluwa came on in place of the underperforming David Moore, taking on the midfield enforcer role of Daniel Nwanze who had dropped to centre-half after Dayes’ disgrace. To Hamlet’s credit they did not lay down and die, silky skills in difficult conditions from Williams set up the indefatigable Dickson but his effort sailed over. Gray stood up well to claw away Williams’ attempted chip whilst at the other end Lewington was at full stretch to batter away a fearsome long range drive from Campbell. Indeed both keepers were kept busy as the game swung from end to end. Lewis Tozer should have done better as he rose at the back of the six yard box to meet a free kick, only to weakly nod the ball back to Gray. Gray was more tested when Dickson, almost running on empty, beat the last line of defence but a bullet of shot was pawed away by the diving Gray. Aping his namesake, the pacy Campbell went close with a thunderous shot after cutting in from the left. A rip-roaring game, but Hamlet were left to rue the madness of Dayes and wisdom of taking on the Fleet sans first choice keeper.

Teams:

FTFC: Justin Gray; Ian Griffin; Shaun Hale; Phillip John; James Mann; Steve Hemmings (Capt); James Field (Elliott Capel 88); Michael Douglas (Tony Millerick 80); Will Salmon; Jermaine Hamilton; (Eddie Smith 21); Darren Campbell

Subs not used: Nathan Smart, Paul Smith

DHFC:

James Pullen; Jason Turley (Cedric Meeko 69); Danny Moore; Daniel Nwanze; Gavin Dayes; Lewis Tozer; David Moore (Eniola Oluwa 54); Kenny Beaney; Chris Dickson; Luke Cornwall (Daniel Jones 54); Phil Williams

Subs not used: Sol Pinnock; Jean-Serge Musungu

Attendance: 146

Officials:

Referee: Mr Carl Berry (Tadworth)

Assistant Referees: Mr Oliver Smith (Eastleigh) & Mr Peter Buckeridge (Southampton)

Goal Scoring:

1-0 FTFC Michael Douglas 8th minute

1-1 DHFC Phil Williams 27th minute

2-1 FTFC Eddie Smith 39th minute

3-1 FTFC Darren Campbell 51st minute

4-1 Phillip John 52nd minute

Dulwich Hamlet 8 (EIGHT) Godalming Town 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Tuesday 26th September 2006

’Twas caviar to the general, but it was–as I receiv’d it, and others, whose judgments in such matters cried in the top of mine–an excellent play, well digested in the scenes, set down with as much modesty as cunning.

The still night air of East Dulwich reverberated to archaic chants as Hamlet went to town, dancing upon the graves of the visiting G’s hopes in an exhilarating exhibition of the noble art. “Barnestoneworth, Barnestoneworth, Barnestoneworth, Barnestoneworth”, rang from the terraces in homage to a performance that once might have seemed like an oasis in a desert of barren encounters, but in Wayne’s World threatens to be a regular occurrence. For Golden Gordon read Diamond Dickson, scorer of a quality hat trick, and resplendent in golden boots but this was an evening for heroes all.

Arriving at Champion Hill propping up the table but boasting a miserly defence if impotent attack, Godalming gave little inkling of the massacre that they were about to face. In a fast and furious opening quarter hour, either side could have taken the lead. Hamlet looked jittery at the back with keeper James Pullen’s distribution lacking conviction, putting his defence under unnecessary pressure. Picked out by a cracking cross in from the right wing Shaun Lydon could, nay should have given his side a not undeserved lead with a spectacular volley but the ball flew wide of the target. In addition Danny Newman failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity whilst a strong header from Chris Boulter flew over the bar. Best of Hamlet’s chances saw Luke Cornwall overlapping on the left of the area to meet Chris Dickson’s pass but driving his shot across the face of goal.

Dame Fortune played a pivotal role in the opener after 21 minutes though the goal was credited to Nicolas Plumain. The young Frenchman, playing at right back in place of Jason Turley, was allowed a free run down the right wing. A cross delivered swerved in flight; horrified keeper Andy Parkinson stood rooted to the spot as the ball beat him at the near post.

The touch paper was ignited, Dulwich on fire. Sublime, assertive football, flowing rhythm, quicksilver movement. All Godalming could muster in response was a series of niggling fouls in a vain attempt to destroy the Hamlet’s composure but only succeeded in sparking further attacks. Phil Williams felled by a cynical challenge as he ripped a hole in the ragged rearguard. A free kick a yard beyond the edge of the penalty area. Beaney’s dead ball effort, driven in low, deflected off a defender but cannoned back off the underside of the crossbar with Cornwall unable to force home the rebound.

32 minutes, the two Moores, David and Danny combined to win the ball back close to the touchline, laying the seeds of a powerful Beaney run to the goal line from whence he pulled the ball back to the predatory Dickson, slotting the ball home through a forest of legs. Laxity in the home defence might have granted the G’s the privilege of an equaliser within two minutes as Danny Newman snuck in behind Gavin Dayes after a ball pumped in from the right wing had bounced over the centre half’s head. Pullen though was alert and spread himself large to deny the G’s a quick response.

Refusing to ease up as the half time break drew closer, Hamlet made it 3-0 on 44 minutes. Williams’ pace pummelled the midfield, his incisive pass picking out Plumain haring down the right once more. A perfect cross seemed destined for the head of Dickson, but a sly nudge from Martin Beard, unnoticed by the referee, knocked Dickson out of the ball’s path. Vain cries for a penalty had barely died in the supporters throats when David Moore, having turned the gas to keep the ball in play, turned the ball back across goal when Dickson exacted his personal revenge with a well executed finish.

Left waiting whilst their guests lingered in the dressing room, somewhere they might have wished they remained, Dulwich were soon steaming into their disheartened opponents. Three minutes in, David Moore’s curled strike from the edge of the box beat the keeper but cannoned back off the inside of the post along the goal line. Pressure unrelenting, Dulwich struck again as Beaney’s drive was paddled behind by a diving Parkinson; the resultant corner saw Lewis Tozer rise highest at the back of the box only to flick his header wide of the mark. Two minutes later and Dickson played provider as he jinked his way into the area, finding Cornwall but with the ball arriving at an awkward height, the striker could only direct his effort at Parkinson.

Tiring of the G’s gamesmanship, niggling fouls, shirt pulling and their ilk, referee Ian Regan began to get busy with the cards. Snide, unnecessary retaliation saw Lydon’s name added to those of skipper Jamie Laister and James Blason, cautioned late in the first half. It would not be long before Laister would fall foul of the man in black once more. Beaten for pace once again by Dickson, the centre half resorted to a crude, blatant tug on the shirt of his tormentor, trying Mr Regan’s patience for the last time as a second yellow ended his participation.

With eleven Godalming had struggled, with ten they floundered. A brace of killer efforts within minutes had the Hamlet five ahead and still looking for more. In fact it was the visiting defence looking for Moore as he finished off a fine move for the fourth. Still shell-shocked keeper Parkinson was once more picked the ball from the netting as Dickson smote a might drive from distance, the ball going in off the upright.

No respite for the G’s defence, Williams off but in his stead the typhoon that is Eniola Oluwa. His pace won a free kick on the edge of the area, Beaney’s effort shovelled round the post by a scrambling Parkinson.

Like condemned men, Godalming depleted numbers found a new lease of life, inspired by the arrival of Ahmed Tchankou in place of Paul Anderson. A wickedly swerving effort from Shaun Elliot almost deceived Pullen, the giant keeper somehow recovering to claw the ball off his own line. Long spells of inactivity had dulled the Hamlet custodian’s senses and he was at full stretch soon after to batter away Blason’s free kick from the edge of the area.

Passing as if a summer shower, Godalming’s brief revival soon faltered as Dulwich struck again. With Godalming’s defence at sea as they struggled to snuff out yet another Dulwich attack, the ball ran to Daniel Nwanze outside the area and he had time to pick his spot before curling a precision effort into the far side of the net. Blason again tested Pullen with a thunderous shot on the run that had the Hamlet keeper at full stretch as he tipped the shot over the cross but soon it was normal service as Jean-Serge Musungu marked his return to the field of combat putting the finishing touches to a scintillating move.

That was soon put in the shade as Tchankou decided he could do without the assistance of his team-mates as a mazy run ended with a smart finish to wreck Pullen’s clean sheet dreams. However the night belonged to the Hamlet, the hardworking Cornwall, seemingly destined to end the evening goalless, at last got the reward his industry deserved. Having looped a header just over moments earlier, Cornwall was there in stoppage time to tuck away number eight.

Teams:

DHFC: James Pullen; Nicolas Plumain; Danny Moore; Daniel Nwanze; Gavin Dayes; Lewis Tozer; David Moore; Kenny Beaney (Cedric Meeko 68); Chris Dickson (Jean-Serge Musungu 74); Luke Cornwall; Phil Williams (Eniola Oluwa 63)

Subs not used: Sol Pinnock; Daniel Jones

GTFC: Andy Parkinson; Martin Beard; Shaun Elliott; James Mariner (Matt Steer HT); Jamie Laister (Capt); Paul Anderson (Ahmed Tchankou 68); Chris Boulter; James Blason; Shaun Lydon (Craig Prendergast 57); Danny Newman; Joe Chandiram

Subs not used: Roger Steer; Will Midmore

Attendance: 226

Officials:

Referee: Mr Ian Regan (Ashford, Kent)

Assistant Referees: Mr James Vallance (Putney) & Mr Wayne Ingram (New Malden)

Goalscoring:

1-0 DHFC Nicolas Plumain 21st minute

2-0 DHFC Chris Dickson 32nd minute

3-0 DHFC Chris Dickson 44th minute

4-0 DHFC David Moore 57th minute

5-0 DHFC Chris Dickson 59th minute

6-0 DHFC Daniel Nwanze 73rd minute

7-0 DHFC Jean-Serge Musungu 79th minute

1-7 GTFC Ahmed Tchankou 82nd minute

8-1 DHFC Luke Cornwall 90th minute

Dulwich Hamlet 3 Dartford 2

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Tuesday 19^th September 2006

A game that ebbed and flowed like the tides of the sea finally went the way of the Hamlet late into the evening via the unerring boot of Chris Dickson, almost ubiquitous on the scoresheet these days. In victory the Hamlet leapfrogged their ambitious opponents into the heady heights of fourth place and for the first time in this season kindled the fires of promotion hopes in the hearts of their long suffering supporters. All the more unlikely was the victory for with a mere 24 minutes on the clock and trailing 2-0 to an impressive Dartford XI, Dulwich were seemingly out for the count, but for the exhortations of their manager they drew strength girding their loins and seizing the game by the scruff of the neck. By the break they had drawn level, the second half they claimed as their own, only to sow their seeds on the stony ground of the Darts' impervious defence until Dickson struck with just three minutes until the game's conclusion.

Not one to throw his toys from the pram in defeat, manager Wayne Burnett's only change in the aftermath of that cruel cup exit at Walton and Hersham was to bring in Danny Moore at left back in the stead of Nicolas Plumain. On only their second ever visit to Champion Hill, the third placed Darts picked from their strongest squad as aimed to put their FA Cup disappointments behind them and remain in touch with their Kentish rivals, Dover, leading the promotion pack.

A fast and furious opening saw much in the way of high octane football but little in the way of serious goal chances. Elegant skills by Phil Williams opened a passage through the right but a low drilled cross was safely gathered at the near post by keeper Kevin Hudson as the Hamlet forwarded hovered in anticipation. Then on 13 minutes Hamlet found themselves carelessly conceding a corner. As the waters of Lethe washed over the Dulwich defence, midfielder Eddie McClements ran unchecked into space, meeting Ryan Briggs' flag kick with a crisp volley, one that keeper James Pullen could only check but not keep out.

Matters deteriorated 11 minutes later when carelessness again inflicted its sting upon the Hamlet rearguard. Gavin Dayes dithered on the ball, was mugged by Dave Martin allowing the Dartford man a clear run on goal. Pullen stood up well, making a fine block to save Dayes' blushes but in the melee that followed, a desperate lunge on Brendon Cass, first to the loose ball, saw him hid the deck. The shrill blast of the whistle seemed like a banshee's scream; a penalty that might be the death of Hamlet hopes this night. Martin stepped up to the mark, the giant figure of Pullen ranged against him. A searing drive aimed for the bottom corner failed to deceive the Hamlet custodian but its strength defeated him, Pullen's hand just failing to keep out the spot kick.

Pumped by the steroids of scoring Dartford looked rampant, Hamlet dishevelled. Again at a corner Dartford might have added to their tally. The ball only half cleared was pumped back in again by Martin to where Jay May lurked unmarked at the back of the box. As he fell May met the ball with a stinging volley, but one that failed to trouble Pullen as he gathered the shot in textbook fashion. Not long after and Dulwich were on the back foot again, as the Darts sped out of defence, Martin letting fly on the run but once more Pullen would make the save look routine.

From looking like a comfortable victory the contest would be turned on its head as the half entered its final throes. Already Tommy Osbourne had rescued his side with a vital interception, hacking the ball off the toes of Luke Cornwall as Dickson pulled a vicious cross back from the goalline. Dickson himself then tested Hudson as he held off his marker before unleashing a powerful strike from 18 yards. A minute later and Hudson would find himself picked the ball from his net as Hamlet's up-tempo approach paid dividends courtesy of Cornwall, the striker anticipating a ball in, latching on to the pass, outpacing the last of the defence on a determined run, rounding a stranded Hudson and calmly rolling the ball into the far corner of the net despite the presence of Osbourne struggling to cover on the line.

The merest of margins prevented Cornwall getting on the scoresheet once more as, stretching out a leg, he just failed to get a touch on a fierce low drive across the face of the six yard box. However if the Darts believed they might escape with their lead at the break, those hopes were dashed with three minutes left as quicksilver winger Phil Williams at last produced the goods with a goal of sublime quality. Waltzing through a host of futile challenges, Williams' wizardry with the ball had the crowd gasping in anticipation, released in an orgy of celebration as, and from 10 yards out, the ball was precisely rolled inside the upright with Hudson vainly trying to narrow the angle.

First chance of the second half fell to their hosts as they attempted to restore their lost lead, Pullen denying Martin as the big man turned his luck with a lob from distance. However, this was a rare flash from the Darts as Dulwich went to town. Dickson took control of a pinpoint cross field pass, leaving Danny White for dead but denied by Hudson's outstretched fingertips as a low drive was turned around the post. White still seemed traumatised by the Dickson experience as he came within a whisker of giving Hamlet the lead, the ball looping awkwardly off his head as he ducked to meet the corner but bouncing off the top of the crossbar. Ripping at the Dartford flanks with increasing regularity, scent of victory filled Dulwich nostrils. Williams powered to the goalline, ripped a ferocious drive across the face of goal but with no one at hand to capitalise. Moore and Moore for the Hamlet as Danny's long throw picked out David, the latter trying his luck with a chip from the edge of the box but without the height to trouble Hudson. A free kick on the periphery of the visitors' penalty area saw Kenny Beaney's fierce grasscutter deflect off a suspiciously advanced wall, fizzing millimetres beyond the far post. The corner kept the pressure dial turned to maximum. Deep to the ball was the ball delivered, Dickson's header back across nodded out by Richard Avery but only as far as Cornwall whose acrobatic bicycle kick deserved better than to flash wide of the target.

Sensing victory was within touching distance, Burnett unleashed the untamed pace of substitute Eniola Oluwa upon the unsuspecting Darts. For a moment Hamlet wobbled as an unscheduled Dartford breakaway almost saw Martin sneak in but Pullen remained alert to punt the ball to safety. Normality was resumed soon after as Oluwa's pace and control paved the way for Dickson to let rip from distance but the tiniest of deflections sent the ball fizzing over the crossbar. Dickson again went close as a chipped effort dropped wide of the left hand upright, after he burst past central defender Avery.

A clumsy foul by Lewis Tozer on replacement Ryan Hayes gave Darts yet another chance to snatch what had seemed an unlikely three points, but the free kick, easily within scoring range, went the way of the Pterodactyl, flying into oblivion beyond the Greendale badlands.

Time became relative, seconds flying by even as the crotchety Hudson seemed to lapse into suspended animation. Daniel Jones replaced Cornwall as Hamlet unleashed a phalanx of hungry young forwards upon their guests. With wings on his boots and rockets in his feet, Williams capped a breathtaking move as he powered up the engines and unleashed a screamer from fully thirty yards that might have ripped the net asunder had it not missed its intended target by a fraction.

A draw seemed cast in the rune but then cruel fate would intervene. A clash with Dickson saw Avery forced off as the trainer attended to a cut above his eye. With the keystone ripped from their defence, Dartford fell apart as Pullen dropped an almighty clearance on the edge of the penalty area. Confusion reigned as Hudson advanced aimlessly, stranded as own of his own stabbed the ball past him into the path of Dickson who gleefully slotted the ball into the unguarded net before being swamped by delirious team-mates. Five long years had passed since Hamlet last turned such a deficit into victory.

Still the drama would not abate as Darts found attacking vigour once more but to no avail as Dayes produced a perfectly timed tackle to deny McClements as the bustling midfielder bullied his way into the area. But the flickering candle of hope, nearly snuffed out in that painful first hour, but now illuminating all of Champion Hill would not be extinguished this night.

Teams:

DHFC: James Pullen; Jason Turley; Danny Moore; Daniel Nwanze; Gavin Dayes; Lewis Tozer; David Moore (Eniola Oluwa 70); Danny Beaney; Luke Cornwall (Daniel Jones 84); Chris Dickson; Phil Williams

Subs: Cedric Meeko; Sol Pinnock; Nicholas Plumain

DFC: Kevin Hudson; Tommy Osborne; Danny White; Brad Potter; Richard Avery; Steve Hafner; Ryan Briggs; Jay May; Brendon Cass (Ryan Hayes 77); Eddie McClements; Dave Martin

Subs: Glenn Billenness; Craig Maguire; Tommy Olson

Attendance: 300

Goal Scoring

0-1 DFC Eddie McClements 13^th minute

0-2 DFC Dave Martin 24^th minute (Penalty)

1-2 DHFC Luke Cornwall 39^th minute

2-2 DHFC Phil Williams 42^nd minute

3-2 DHFC Chris Dickson 87^th minute

Referee: Mr Paul Andrews (Rochester)

Assistants: Mr Christopher Evans (Ealing) & Mr Aheene Yahiaoui (Loughborough Park)

Walton and Hersham 3 Dulwich Hamlet 0

The FA Cup - First Qualifying Round

Saturday 16th September 2006

My turf accountant, stepping from the battered Cortina that he keeps for driving from his palatial Surrey spread, was in no doubt about the outcome of this game. No matter that Walton had scored a miserly two goals all season, all of them in an August curtain raiser against Ashford Town, only Folkestone and Worthing's more porous defences keeping them from propping up the table. No matter that they had been dumped out of the Isthmian League Cup in midweek to First Division strugglers, the team formerly represented by the Thin Blue Line, Met Police, less than twenty four hours after their talismanic manager, Alan Dowson had tendered his resignation to end a decade long association with the suburban Swans. "No", as he puffed on a large Cuban, "Walton, Premier Division, odds on favourites". Scratching a few coppers from the fluff infested recesses of my pockets, I gleefully flung them across the counter, convinced the odds of 5/2 would surely buy me a fish supper if not send a grateful niece or nephew to Eton or Benenden. How those greedy thoughts clouded my mind. For too long Stompond Lane has been the funeral pyre open which Dulwich hopes of glory in various cups have been torched, then scattered to the winds. Once again my bookie was right. Despite running this game Dulwich could not turn their dominance into a victory as chance after chance went begging. The shot stats told it all. Both sides a trio of efforts on target, Walton's all finding their target, Hamlet denied either by Nick Gindre's agility or the woodwork. Off target and the tale of woe deepened, nine times a Hamlet opportunity failed to find its mark.

Unchanged from victory at Walton Casuals bar the returning Chris Lewington between the sticks, Dulwich were never in awe of their higher division opponents. The Swans' defence flapped nervously in the face of a wave of Pink and Blue, Luke Cornwall, Chris Dickson, Phil Williams all revelling in the space given them as the Walton rearguard quivered before them. Were the finishing better the game might have been over as a contest long before the Hamlet allowed it to slip from their grasp. Cornwall's determination not to lose possession on the edge of the box came close to paying dividends as a fierce low strike was tipped behind at the base of his post by a diving Gindre.

Injury to Gavin Cartwright was soon to weaken the home defence further as the hamstrung centre-half was withdrawn on the quarter-hour. Moments later an excellent worked moved almost brought about the breakthrough but in a goalmouth mêlée, Swans skipper Wes Goggins played a leading role blocking the ball on the line. Still Hamlet came, a lob over the top, Dickson waiting whilst the two centre-halves came for but missed the ball, then a stunning volley matched in its beauty by a flying save from Gindre, leaping to his right to fingertip the strike away.

A speculative free kick from Byron Brown, buzzing across the bumpy turf, skidded wide of Lewington's right upright as a rare attack briefly ignited the sparse home turn out. Normal service resumed as Dickson popped over a cracking cross to pick out Cornwall, only for the header to rise over the crossbar. A excellent Williams' run opened a cavity of the Walton left flank, but having done the hard work, the ball bobbled away from the flying Dulwich winger, a tame shot failing to extend Gindre.

As half time drew ever closer, Walton winger Ben Thorne finally got the better of the Hamlet defence, haring away down the right side and banging over a cross that should have been crowned with the afternoon's opener. Instead Eben Allen, usually so deadly from inside the six yard box, rose to flick his back post header wide of the gaping goal. Synchronicity then when Cornwall did likewise soon after, meeting Kenny Beaney's corner at the near post only to flick his header across the face of goal.

The dressing rooms were beckoning when, as if to stab a dagger in the heart of Hamlet hopes, Walton broke away in the second minute of stoppage time to grab an unlikely goal. Caught cold as Walton launched a counter raid from a Dulwich corner, the Hamlet were left chasing shadows as Goggins released Louis Clark rampaging on the right wing. Whipping the ball across the area, he found the incoming Thorne, bursting into the area like a whippet to meet the cross and hammer his side into a rather undeserved lead.

The goal provided a shot of inspiration for the hosts and they were unfortunate not to extend their lead with the second half barely five minutes old. Brown's free kick, driven into the heart of the danger area, reached Allen, the former Hamlet striker denied by Lewington's brave save, then substitute Martin Dunne rattling the crossbar as he latched on to the loose ball.

Powerful running from Dickson, driving to the goal line, produced a dangerous cross, the vital interception of Dunne flicking the ball away from the inrushing Cornwall. Still in overdrive, Hamlet attacked again, this time it was David Moore with a low drive from outside the box to test Gindre. Walton hit back, Clark and Thorne combining to allow the latter to batter the ball into the near post where Allen was arriving only to stab a volley wide.

60 seconds later and Brown clattered late into Gavin Dayes, sending the Hamlet defender spinning to the ground. Much to the culprit's shock, referee Mr Biddulph instantly brandished a red card. If Dulwich thought this might give them the upper hand, they were soon in for a rude awakening, for the perceived injustice of the dismissal seemed to galvanise the Swans even when Dulwich added a attacking edge in the shape of the lightning quick Eniola Oluwa replacing defender Nicolas Plumain.

A long range free kick from Beaney whistled wide of the target, before Dickson was denied an equaliser in the cruellest of fashions, outpacing the defence, rolling the ball past an advancing Gindre from the tightest of angles, only to watch in agony as Will Jenkins somehow got back to stop the ball on the cusp of entering the net.

The ten men were steeled by their fortune and once again Thorne went raiding, denied as he burst into the box by Dayes' inch perfect tackle that had more myopic members of the home bench crying out for a penalty. Not that it mattered for from the corner Walton kept the pressure on, a deep cross nodded back across goal to the waiting Allen and this time the forward made no mistake as he rose highest to nod the ball home.

As the Hamlet's hopes began to evaporate, Walton steeled themselves, repulsing attacks then with six minutes on the clock claiming the goal that would rubberstamp their passage to the next round. Fitting then that it would be skipper Goggins, for the Swans' skipper had led his beleaguered charges like a lion. Lurking in space on the Dulwich right flank, he latched on to Clark's arching pass before heading inexorably through on goal and smacking the ball past Lewington.

This should have provided the final deflation for the Hamlet but even in the face of an insurmountable deficit, they refused to lie down and die, putting the home defence under siege for the final few minutes. However the best they could show for their efforts was a steaming drive from substitute Sol Pinnock that rattled away off the top of the crossbar.

My bookmaker will dine on caviar from crystal plates once more, the soup kitchen at Waterloo beckons for your humble scribe.

Teams:

W&HFC: Nick Gindre; Michael Murphy; Byron Brown; Will Jenkins; Gavin Cartwright (Martin Dunne 16); Wes Goggin; Rob George; Simon Huckle; Eben Allen (Scott Edgar 85); Louis Clark; Ben Thorne (Bobby Traynor 78)

Subs not used: Dan Summers; Adrian Blake

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Jason Turley (Capt); Nicolas Plumain (Eniola Oluwa 68); Daniel Nwanze; Gavin Dayes; Lewis Tozer; David Moore; Kenny Beaney; Luke Cornwall (Sol Pinnock 83); Chris Dickson; Phil Williams (Daniel Jones 78)

Subs not used: Cedric Meeko; Danny Moore

Attendance: 142

Officials:

Referee: Mr A Biddulph

Assistant Referees: Mr G M J Parsons & Mr S J Finch

Goal Scoring:

1-0 W&HFC Ben Thorne 45^th minute

2-0 W&HFC Eben Allen 74^th minute

3-0 W&HFC Wes Goggins 84^th minute

The Naughty Boys:

Gavin Dayes (DHFC) Caution 54^th minutes

Byron Brown (W&HFC), Dismissal 61^st minute

Simon Huckle (W&HFC) Caution 67^th minute

David Moore (DHFC) Caution 70^th minute

Michael Murphy (W&HFC) Caution 88^th minute.

Walton Casuals 4 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Westview League Cup – Second Round

Tuesday 12th September 2006

The League Cup once again faded from the memory as on the dew-dappled field of Franklyn Road, the hosts ran riot to exact swift revenge for their mauling in the previous Saturday’s league encounter. Defeat was doubly disappointing for, despite several changes from Saturday’s victorious line-up, Hamlet were frustrated in their finishing whilst strewing errors like confetti in defence to provide as great a contribution to the hosts’ goals as their own desire for vengeance.

Injuries restricted the Walton selection, the hosts making a number of changes in defence and missing Saturday’s goalscorer Chris Morrison. Hamlet’s changes were less enforced, the names of Cedric Meeko and Chris Hurst appearing in the starting line-up for the first time since pre-season whilst up front the twin teenage terrors of Sol Pinnock and Carlton Murray-Price led in the line in the stead of Luke Cornwall and the rampant Chris Dickson. How glad the Casuals defence must have been not to face the twin threat of the goal machine’s boot and tongue!

With a point to prove, both sides were at each others throats like hungry wolves from the off. If Saturday’s encounter had started tamely this was pure blood and guts football, neither team shirking the tackle. Frequently the feisty became the foul and had a more authoritative official taken the whistle cards of either hue might have been fluttering through the night air with disturbing regularity.

First chance fell to the Hamlet as Pinnock showed strength and determination to battle the ball from a defender but cutting into the area from the left he drove a low shot across the goal. Walton’s Craig Carley might well have opened the scoring soon after, ghosting in at the back of the box, to nod the ball goalwards but finding only James Pullen’s hands. Springing from the traps Dulwich swiftly moved the ball upfield and Pinnock was again in but again an angled shot on the run fizzled wide of the far post.

Conceding a corner after Pullen had tipped over a blazing volley from Greg Ball, Dulwich dozed off as the dead ball was delivered, Ball taking full advantage to beat Pullen and plant a firm header home at the near post. Fortune favoured the brave as manful defending kept Hamlet from drawing level within two minutes. Overlapping wide Ohran Stewart collected a freekick to lash a low cross into the six yard box met first time by Lewis Tozer, a maiden goal only prevented by John Ambridge’s lunging block. The hard running Walton man would return to haunt the Hamlet later but first Dulwich would restore the game to parity. Executed in classic simplicity, Murray-Price showed a clean pair of heels to the defence as he latched on to a pass drilled to perfection from midfield and finished with aplomb giving keeper Matthew Reid no chance as the ball was forcefully driven past him.

As the cauldron bubbled, the pace and passion never relented. Ambridge came to his side’s rescue in spectacular fashion denying Pinnock with a goalline clearance after the striker had brought down a left wing cross, beaten his marker and lashed a rapier sharp drive past Reid. Winning medals too in the trenches was Dulwich skipper Gavin Dayes, his perfectly timed tackle robbing Ball as a Scott Harris pass threatened to sent the forward scampering clear on goal. Dayes’ work was not done and like a flash he was back in action to rattle David Ocquaye off the ball with a juddering tackle. With half-time mere moments away, the simmering tension finally boiled over as Nicolas Plumain became involved in a contretemps following a crunching tackle. Things turned ugly as several players became involved, the referee impotent, while all around him was threatening chaos. Tempers finally calmed, Plumain became the recipient of the evening’s first caution.

Lessons clearly not learnt Dulwich found themselves trailing again 6 minutes from the restart as a carbon-copy goal saw Ambridge inflict further pain upon the Hamlet as he arrived unheralded at the near post to nod the ball just inside the upright. Hard as they ran Hamlet could not force an equaliser. Plumain came close at the end of a magnificent move but from the corner of the six yard box his attempt to clip the ball over Reid was plucked from the air by the keeper.

Victims of their own inability to clear their lines, the Hamlet slid further behind as the hour mark ticked by. Skipper Scott Harris, a powerhouse leader in the middle of the park, was allowed too much space in the area, but his two efforts were blocked. Still the ball remained in the danger area, one hopeful punt upfield and the peril would have receded. Instead Carley was given the opportunity to drive in a shot from close range; Pullen was beaten and Walton were ecstatic.

Into the arena of youth, stepped the venerable warrior Wayne Burnett to add steel and experience, to goad his charges from the frontlines. But Walton were infused with confidence, Dulwich ragged, Ocquaye’s storming run unchecked but unproductive as his final shot was gathered. The Hamlet though were in charitable mood as the distributed ball was lost almost instantly and Ball was hand to take full advantage, giving Pullen not a ghost of a chance as he slammed home one of his easier goals.

Fortunately things did not get worse for the Hamlet as Carley missed a great late chance for number five meeting a deep left wing cross that beat the Dulwich defence but miskicking with the goal at his mercy.

Teams:

WCFC: Matthew Reid; Ryan Adams; Kristian Webb; Chris Woodward; David Meechan; John Ambridge; Anthony Gale; Craig Carley; Greg Ball; Scott Harris (Capt); David Ocquaye

Subs not used: Chris Morrison, Jack Watkins, Steve Sutherland, Paul Westram; Danny Andrews (GK

DHFC: James Pullen; Danny Moore; Nicolas Plumain; Cedric Meeko; Gavin Dayes (Capt.); Lewis Tozer; Chris Hurst (Matt Dean 69); Ohran Stewart; Sol Pinnock; Carlton Murray-Price; Phil Williams (Wayne Burnett 69)

Subs not used: Daniel Nwanze; Chris Dickson; Jason Turley

Attendance: 40

Officials:

Referee: Mr Colin Lymer (Mayford)

Assistant Referees: Mr Vince Penfold (Addlestone) & Mr Simeon Potter (Sutton)

Goal Scoring:

1-0 WCFC Greg Ball 17th minute

1-1 DHFC Carlton Murray-Price 27th minute

2-1 WCFC John Ambridge 51st minute

3-1 WCFC Craig Carley 60th minute

4-1 WCFC Greg Ball 67th minute

Walton Casuals 1 Dulwich Hamlet 3

Ryman Isthmian League - Division One South

Saturday 9th September 2006

Beyond the fences of Franklyn Road weeping willows dipped their branches to touch the face of Father Thames flowing by, sheltering expectant anglers dangling for pike and perch whilst swans sailed serenely by, their languid progress masking the furious beating of the feet beneath the surface. The walls enclosing the Casuals' humble home performed a similar function as Dulwich's grand tour of the suburbs of Walton began in fine style by the banks of the Thames with a convincing win over an injury-ravaged Walton Casuals, whose walking wounded sparkled early to take a deserved lead before being swamped by a rampant tide of Pink and Blue.

Club skipper Jamie Coyle was sidelined, having suffered a hairline fracture to his shin, sustained in claiming Hamlet's final goal in the FA Cup disposal of Three Bridges, but Hamlet were fortunate to once again be able to call on the services of Gavin Dayes for his first league start of the season, a four game ban keeping him out of the selection reckoning so far. In goal James Pullen returned from his FA Cup sojourn but otherwise Dulwich went into the game unchanged bar the welcome sight of Jean-Serge Musungu among the substitutes.

The game got off to a lively start; a green sward cut smooth though dotted with crests and valleys proved ample stage for our cast of travelling players to display their arts. Rampaging forward Nicolas Plumain cut a swath down the left to feed Luke Cornwall, a low pass laid towards the penalty spot but Plumain unable to provide the final link in the chain as a mighty defensive hoof saw the ball cleared to safety. Moments later Chris Morrison exploited a gap in the Dulwich defence but a vital interception saw his close range effort deflected mere millimetres the wrong side of the upright. Morose for mere minutes, Morrison was soon the object of adulation for the Casuals as he gave his side with a classic old-fashioned headed. Plumain proved no match for Craig Carley as the tricky wing man nipped past him, delivering the ball into the heart of the Hamlet area where the waiting Morrison rose to bullet the ball past Pullen, powerless to prevent the ball finding its target.

Erroneous strategy for the Casuals, taking the lead, for the goal was to stoke the fires in the Hamlet bellies none more so than the bellicose Chris Dickson. Wayne's World may be the Academy of Arts but this was the Art of War. "Once more unto the breach, my Hamlet, or shore up the wall with your Pink and Blue dead; imitate the action of the tiger; follow your spirit and upon this charge cry, "God for Hamlet and St Wayne". Fire and brimstone, white-hot passion burning, this is war lads and we are the dogs of it.

Soon after going behind, Dickson battling into the box, a left footed attempt from an impossible angle nestling in the side netting. Chasing down Steve Sutherland, the centre-forward was frustrated as the ball rebounded off him but wide of the goal. Thick and fast the chances came. David Moore purposefully burst into the area squaring the ball for Dickson to stab the ball goalwards only for keeper Danny Andrews to deny with an acrobatic fingertip save.

Home resistance lasted little longer but waned on 24 minutes when Moore performed open heart surgery on the Casuals rearguard, exchanging passes with Kenny Beaney before slicing between the two centre halves and smashing a rip-roaring drive through Andrews, the power too much for him to keep out. The cavalier Hamlet smelt blood. Phil Williams, at times seemingly possessed of faulty Sat-Nav, finally produced a penetrating run only for his low cross to be stabbed behind for a corner, one delivered deep to Tozer, in loco ducis, but a header troubled naught but the hoardings.

Five minutes had elapsed since the goal when Moore struck again. The move had begun in unpromising circumstances as a Dulwich free kick, poorly executed, was latched on to by Moore, his radar set on goal. A diagonal run across and through the defence, subtly garnished with a low drive back across the face of a diving Andrews to put Dulwich into the lead they were not to relinquish.

It was all Walton could do to contain the Hamlet as the half wore on. Williams ruined a wonderful purposeful run that opened up the home defence with a tame strike that failed to trouble Andrews. Seconds later as Walton surrendered possession Plumain capitalised, his screaming effort full of the power the previous chance had lacked but always rising as it whistled over the crossbar. Dickson too might have added to the Hamlet's lead as last few minutes of the 45 ticked past but a powerful strike, too close to Andrews, was battered away.

Second half began ominously for the hosts as an early corner saw the ball ping around the Casuals' area, orange shirted foot soldiers throwing themselves upon grenade after grenade until the ball struck the hand of Luke Cornwall and danger was averted. Ten minutes was all that the hosts would hold out against a sea of Dulwich assaults before Dickson grabbed his obligatory goal in ebullient fashion. Hammering a hole in the home defence, he squirmed his way through, defenders strewn in his wake before finishing in fine fashion with a low angled drive that beat Andrews low at his far post. First the broadsword then the rapier, Walton were on the rack. Defenders burnt by Dickson's pace soon found themselves toasted by his tongue as they protested over a free kick, "Don't talk to me, slowcoach", aimed at a defender tormented earlier.

Walton rang the changes but little they could do could stem the tide, though Dulwich were their own worst enemies in front of goal, extra garnish added where a plain dish might suffice. A better finish from Carley might have made things interested when he took advantage of a defensive lapse to cut in towards goal but a rising shot failed to worry Pullen. Indeed the Hamlet custodian was only once truly troubled as victory drew closer, a free kick allowed too far and bouncing precariously close to sneaking in under the crossbar. The bullish David Ocquaye replaced goalscorer Morrison who limped from the fray to add to his side's injury woes.

Moore was denied a chance to complete a rare hat trick as an unpunished challenge ended his afternoon's involvement. Jamie Cheeseman came off the bench in his stead, only to suffer a similar fate in stoppage time as Danny Moore made a brief cameo appearance at the death. A swift return to Franklyn Road beckons in the League Cup, Walton must patch up their wounded, call upon reserves for the Dogs of War will be snarling at their gate once more.

Teams:

WCFC: Danny Andrews; James Crowe; Chris Woodward; Steve Sutherland; John Ambridge; Kristian Webb; Anthony Gale (David Meechan); Craig Carley; Greg Ball (Jack Watkins); Scott Harris (Capt); Chris Morrison (David Ocquaye)

Subs not used: Paul Westren

DHFC:

James Pullen; Jason Turley (Capt); Nicolas Plumain; Daniel Nwanze; Gavin Dayes; Lewis Tozer; David Moore (Jamie Cheeseman 78) (Danny Moore 90+3); Kenny Beaney; Luke Cornwall; Chris Dickson; Phil Williams

Subs not used: Sol Pinnock; Jean-Serge Musungu; Ohran Stewart

Attendance: 92

Officials:

Referee: Mr Ian Fissenden (Gravesend, Kent)

Assistant Referees: Mr Craig Hooper (Mychett) & Mr Michael Taylor (Alton)

Goal Scoring:

1-0 WCFC Chris Morrison 11^th minute

1-1 DHFC David Moore 24^th minute

2-1 DHFC David Moore 29^th minute

3-1 DHFC Chris Dickson 55^th minute

Dulwich Hamlet 3 Three Bridges 0

The FA Cup – Preliminary Round

Sunday 3rd September 2006

Alea iacta est, the die is cast, proclaimed Caesar as he crossed the Rubicon to provoke a sea change in the history of the Roman Empire. Less portentous a moment this Sunday, except to those for whom Champion Hill is their cathedral, as Bridges were burnt and the Hamlet secured their first competitive home victory of the nascent season. With triumph came the dubious prize of a visit to Premier Division strugglers, but oft destroyers of Dulwich dreams, Walton & Hersham.

Fisher’s fear of losing on-loan keeper James Pullen cup tied should his services be required later in the season meant a first team debut for teenage custodian Chris Lewington, latest member of that dynasty to pull on a Hamlet goalie’s shirt. Having displayed a prodigious talent in pre-season performances ‘twas a pity the lad had so little to do as Dulwich had this game under control virtually from whistle to whistle. Other changes saw the coltish Ohran Stewart replace the battle charger that is Daniel Nwanze in midfield whilst Danny Moore replaced Phil Williams out on the left wing. On his first start, the much-travelled Moore almost gave the Hamlet a cracking start, his early effort rebounding back off the cross bar.

Excellent anticipation from Bridges’ keeper Eddie Olding denied Chris Dickson a chance to add to ever-increasing tally of goals in the third minute, swiftly off his line to swipe the ball off the Hamlet striker’s toes as he sallied into the penalty area, neatly evading all attempts to impede his progress. The frame of the goal was again rattled as a languid curling shot from David Moore just beyond the area left Olding standing but bounced back to him off the far upright.

A rare threat, though real enough, from Bridges’ Jamie Liddell on 14 minutes as he glided effortlessly pat Lewis Tozer to fire in a low drive towards goal, one Lewington got down well to parry though hearts were in mouths as the ball ricocheted off him, only for the ball to drop kindly into his hands.

Worrying moments soon after as a rampaging run down the right wing from David Moore was curtailed with a crunching challenge that left the Hamlet man squirming in agony clutching his ankle, fears that were allayed as he returned to the field after treatment. When the free kick eventually arrived, skipper Jamie Coyle arrived late to meet the ball, only to glance his header wide of the mark.

21 minutes of waiting but at last the goal arrived as Dickson put the finishing touches to a finely worked move, instigated by Stewart’s powerful burst into the area, garnished with some neat close range passing and topped off with Dickson’s determined stab past a diving Olding. Fired by the goal, Hamlet almost added to it within a minute as Dickson was released down the left. Powering past his marker, he unselfishly laid the ball back for Billy Warner but a powerful strike, always rising and turning, failed to trouble the scorers.

Defensive dithering almost cost Hamlet their lead as the half hour ticked by, Sean David taking advantage of laxity at the back to sneak into space but his acrobatic attempt to clip the ball over an advancing Lewington ended fruitlessly as the ball bounced well wide of the post.

A storming run through the heart of midfield from the regenerated David Moore, head down, the goal his aim deserved to goal to crown it but Stewart, latching on to a perfect pass, battering defenders away, could only finish with a tame poke at a relieved Olding.

Second half and the Hamlet strode from the tunnel like warriors, determined to add to that meagre margin. Not for them the 1-0 rout. Luke Cornwall, whose tireless, unselfish work often goes unnoticed, determined to hog a bit of the limelight for himself. Shouldering aside the close attentions of his marker, he had the goal in his sights only to rifle his effort into the frame of Olding. On hour mark Dickson burst on to a pass that had the Bridges’ defence flat-footed. Had Dickson been more altruistic, either Cornwall or Danny Moore might have added their name to the score sheet, but, caught between a pass and a shot, Dickson skewed the ball well wide of the far post.

69 minutes and Cornwall’s persistence was rewarded as the veteran striker tucked away a goal of classic simplicity. An excellent ball in from the left dropped at the feet of Cornwall on the far corner of the six yard, his muscular pirouette sweeping away the attentions of his marker and clean strike through the legs of the falling Olding confirming goal number two.

The appearance of Sol Pinnock in place of Dickson compounded the overworked defences problems and but for a brace of last-ditch tackles the Hamlet substitute might have played provided for further goals for Cornwall, twice denied in the space of three minutes as he met Pinnock’s identical low crosses into the heart of the six yard box.

Four minutes remained on the clock, Bridges’ no longer looking for an upset but determined to minimise the margin of defeat. In came a corner, a near post flick and Coyle, steaming in at the back post got the vital touch, to poke the ball home. Unfortunately in doing so he collided with the upright, injury ending his participation for the afternoon, but by then the work had been done.

Teams:

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Jason Turley; Billy Warner; Ohran Stewart; Jamie Coyle (Capt.) (Nicolas Plumain 87); Lewis Tozer (Gavin Dayes 76); David Moore; Kenny Beaney; Luke Cornwall Chris Dickson (Sol Pinnock 76); Danny Moore

Subs not used: Phil Williams; Daniel Nwanze

TBFC: Eddie Olding; Ashley Dugdale; Owen Botting; Alex Bacon (Capt.); Mark Zydonik (Gary Anderson 67); Jamie Liddell; Stefan Chapman (Warren Whitely 78); Jamie Edwards; Michael Death; Eddie Achoko (Liam Buchan 58); Sean David

Subs not used: Marlon Maxwell; Brett Lovett

Attendance: 244

Officials:

Referee: Mr David Belbin

Assistant Referees: Mr S Woodison & Mr J Cushen

Goal Scoring:

1-0: DHFC: Chris Dickson 21st minute

2-0: DHFC: Luke Cornwall 69th minute

3-0: DHFC: Jamie Coyle 86th minute

Dulwich Hamlet 2 Croydon Athletic 2

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Monday 28^th August 2006

Bank holiday blues at Champion Hill as the Hamlet came within an ace of their first home victory of the current campaign, only to see it snatched from their grasp by a late equaliser from one of their alumni, substitute Wade Falana. An 82^nd minute guided missile from the one time Hamlet hitman robbed Dulwich of what could, nay should, have been a comfortable victory had they not been thwarted by some masterful keeping by veteran custodian James Wastell and their own profligacy as numerous goalscoring opportunities fell by the wayside.

Unchanged from Saturday's maiden victory, the Hamlet found themselves facing up to a team chock full with former Pink and Blue heroes and villains and one of them, Charley Side, was to provide the home fans with a reminder that his prodigious talent in front of goal had not dimmed since his departure for pastures new. Barely 20 seconds had elapsed from the opening whistle and Dulwich skipper Jamie Coyle found Adolf Amoako buzzing around him like an angry gnat. Rather than wallop the ball beyond infinity to some safer environs, he tried to play it away but succeeded in supplying only the lurking Side. Not one to spurn such a present Side took great joy in banging the ball past the exposed James Pullen, staking his claim for the season's fastest goal.

Clearly rattled, Hamlet might well have found themselves further in arrears by the 5^th minute as Amoako created the chance for himself but succeeded only in burying the ball into Pullen's midriff. It took some time before Pink and Blue boys regained their composure but when the chances at last started to flow, their found their nemesis in the ample form of Wastell, a frightening figure more suited to a 70's episode of Doctor Who than the football field, but when the chips are down a formidable opponent. So Dulwich found. First to be denied was Phil Williams, twisting and turning like a dervish, he left defenders in his wake but faced with Wastell could not get the lift to chip the keeper as he spread himself at his feet. Moments later Williams slid a pass into the path of the overlapping Luke Cornwall but again Wastell was there to block as he was when Chris Dickson exploited the same gap soon after.

On 22 minutes the chance of an equaliser went west, as Dickson slipped the bonds of a static offside trap, knocked the ball past the fast advancing Wastell but with the ball seemingly inexorably destined for the back of the net, Dickson found himself robbed of the ball on the very goal line as Jon Waite somehow got back to produce a goal saving tackle.

A penalty shout as Kenny Beaney was sent airborne as he collected a pass from Nicolas Plumain, adding to the wing attack, but naught by a wistful shake of the head from referee Mr Collins. A neat swivel a yard inside the area from Cornwall that bamboozled his marker but a low drive was always going that fraction too far the wrong side of the upright. Another brave Wastell block to deny Dickson and home hopes of an equaliser to sweeter the half time seemed forlorn. Then deep in stoppage time, extended apparently interminably, a goal came almost out of nothing. A deep Beaney corner dropped invitingly for captain Coyle and with a might swing of his boot, the ball singed the very air as it was dispatched heartily into the corner of the net with the seemingly Wastell for once powerless. Having atoned for this earlier error the ecstasy in Coyle's celebration was there for all to see. So tight to half time had it come that there was barely time to even restart the contest.

Clearly buoyed by the boost of a goal the Hamlet started the second half in upbeat mode. When a long crossfield pass picked out Williams loitering in clear space on the left wing, a second goal looked on the cards but with Wastell stranded in No Man's Land, the Hamlet winger took too long to make up his mind where the ball was going and Waite was across in a flash to make a telling interception.

The Rams added muscle to their attack as Falana replaced Side but the Hamlet's renewed vigour sorely tested them. Almost on cue an injudicious comment from Danny Ward in the direction of the referee earned him the afternoon's first yellow card.

But for a tackle timed to perfection by the overworked Waite, Williams might have burst through into a scoring position whilst Cornwall in space on the right might have elected to find another Pink and Blue shirt, though his powerful drive from the tightest of angles was mere inches too high.

At last, just before the hour mark a goal materialised as Dickson's anticipation saw him outpace the defence to meet the ball, coolly lobbing Wastell, stranded far from his line. This provided a catalyst for sustained Dulwich domination but against the odds further goals were not forthcoming. From a corner Lewis Tozer crashed a header against the crossbar. Seconds later as David Moore lashed the loose ball back into the danger area; Coyle struck a venomous effort but always curling too wide.

With eight minutes on the lock Dulwich were made to pay as another former Hamlet hero came back to haunt the Hill. This time it was the veteran Falana who was to capitalise as he met a deep ball in from the right with a shot on the run of such power it seemed to pass through Pullen as if he were a phantom.

With time against them, Hamlet vainly sought a winner but fate and Wastell would conspire against them, the ‘I Zingari' keeper produced a fine block to deny Williams from close range. From a corner Tozer looped a header over but best chance came deep, deep in injury time as at the end of an exquisite move, Dickson stretched to meet a low cross only to stab his effort agonisingly wide of the back stick.

Teams:

DHFC: James Pullen; Jason Turley; Nicolas Plumain; Daniel Nwanze; Jamie Coyle (Capt.); Lewis Tozer; David Moore (Danny Moore 77); Kenny Beaney; Luke Cornwall (Sol Pinnock 73); Chris Dickson; Phil Williams

Subs not used: Jamie Cheeseman; Ohran Stewart; Carlton Murray-Price

CAFC: James Wastell; Mark Waters; Danny Cecil; Jon Waite; James Gibson (Capt.); Danny Ward; Mark Simmons (Julian Curnow 65); Gareth Graham (Veli Hakki 53); Adolf Amoako; Charley Side (Wade Falana 50); Tyrone Myton

Subs not used: Chris Malik; Danny Lombardo

Attendance: 305

Officials:

Referee: Mr Lee Collins

Assistant Referees: Mr Phil Stevens & Mr Peter Georgiou

Goal Scoring:

1-0: CAFC: Charley Side 1^st minute

1-1: DHFC: Jamie Coyle 45^th minute

2-1: DHFC: Chris Dickson 59^th minute

2-2: CAFC: Wade Falana 82^nd minute

Horsham YMCA 0 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 26^th August 2006

"Young man, there's no need to feel down. I said young man, pick yourself off the ground. I said young man, 'cause you're in a new town. There's no need to be unhappy." For the young men of the Hamlet on their maiden visit to the rustic Gorings Mead home of newly promoted Horsham YMCA, happiness at last as a morale boosting victory was claimed, albeit via the penalty spot after an unfortunate handball incident. Still though the Hamlet have yet to fully click into gear, but at least they could point to the outstanding performance of the hosts' custodian, one James Dumbrill, plucked from local football for his debut, nigh well unbeatable and deserved winner of the man of the match award. Time after time, as Dulwich threatened to run rampant after a stuttering start, he rescued his beleaguered defence performing feats of keeping and acrobaticism seemingly impossible for one of his ample frame.

Just one change for the Hamlet in the starting line up as wise old owl Luke Cornwall came in to join the attack in place of the precocious Sol Pinnock, goalscorer in the midweek defeat at Dover. Disappointing defeat that night, one that needed to be erased with victory. Hamlet started positively, their connoisseur fans seeking a palate sating performance, a banquet of quality football laced with goals a plenty. Feast laced with famine for whilst Dulwich were dainty servers of the first time ball and the lateral pass, the hungry mastiffs of the YMCA defence were snapping up stray passes that fell from the table not as scraps but as whole pheasants.

The uniquely undulating terrain of Gorings Mead certainly provided a new test for the Hamlet, away from the carpet of Champion Hill, judging the weight of a pass as crucial as setting an Open winning putt. A quarter hour of probing at last gave way to the first real chance as Phil Williams danced a polka around his marker on the left side of the penalty area, whipping the ball into the heart of the six yard box where Cornwall was waiting but a tame prod at the ball failed to trouble Dumbrill. Cornwall's persistence almost created a goal out of nothing for striker partner Chris Dickson moments later as he chased down an underhit back pass, Dumbrill's clearance going straight to Dickson but then redeeming himself blocking Mr Goal Machine's pile driver, then watching relieved as the follow up attempt curled wider and wider until it went out for a throw in!

Kenny Beaney chanced his arm with a low long range effort form outside the area but well wide. A corner produced the best opening for a while as Jamie Coyle made a rare sally to the near post, turning on a sixpence to hook the ball goalwards from an acute angle but foiled by Dumbrill who scrambled the ball past the upright. A crucial interception from Glenn "Woodie" Woodburn preventing an encouraging Hamlet move ending in success, as the YMCA defender stretched a leg out to stab Beaney's lashed centre behind. More telling though was the save at the other end by James Pullen, villain of the piece in Dover's fateful third, but hero of the hero as he denied Pat Massaro having been left staring the barrel of a gun following a defensive lapse.

A touch of route one football from the purveyors of passing, Dickson latching on a long punt upfield but robbed by tackle timed to perfection from Steve Best. The troublesome Dickson had only himself to blame when his strength allowed him to hold off his marker and power into the box soon after, his poor finish dribbling into the keeper's waiting hands. Having switched wings with David Moore, Williams rampaged down the right but with just the keeper between him and glory, the ball was lashed high and hopeless. Dickson was again giving the home defence nightmares as he burst through a forest of white shirts into the area but could find the telling pull back.

A clumsy Williams challenge gave YMCA a chance to stun their guests but Massaro's freekick was larruped into the wall, the rebound lashed over and the action returned to the other end. In the dying minutes twice the Hamlet might have had a spot kick. Moore took an almighty shove in the back as he waiting for a high ball to drop. Referee Mr Knight hesitated as did Moore, the ball nicked off his toes as he shaped to shoot. At least the referee spotted the foul play when Moore was again the victim, sent sprawling as he burst into the area. However to the chagrin of players and fans alike, the man in black awarded not a penalty but a freekick a fraction of an inch outside the area, one that would be wasted through an over intricate set piece that allowed YMCA to charge down the eventual shot on goal.

Second half brought more of the same. Early on a well worked move saw Beaney swept the ball out to Moore galloping down the left, his centre met by Dickson but denied hitting the target by a hefty last ditch block. Lurking wide out on the left, Kevin Keehan looked as if he was disinterested in the game but posted intent as a deep cross from the opposite flank picked him out to welly in a sweet angled strike to ensure Pullen was paying attention.

Served a few hors d'oeuvre at last the main course for the Hamlet as fortune swung in their favour. Shot after shot blocked as Dulwich seemed destined not to score but with Dumbrill grounded the ball dropped to Williams ten yards out, the ball lashed towards goal where the hand of Best, intentionally or not only he will know, keep the ball from its intended target. Not doubt about the penalty, even the hosts did not protest, though for Best his misery was compounded as a red card was flourished in his face. Up stepped Dickson and at last Dumbrill was beaten as the Hamlet strike walloped the ball high into the corner of the net. It would be the last time the debutante keeper would pluck the ball from his net. Twice in quick succession he denied the threat of Dickson, as Hamlet found a higher gear. Nicolas Plumain should have done better when a cross from the right dropped at his feet on the corner of the six yard box but his volley kept curling just wide.

A bullish charge through the middle of the park from Moore saw the ball switched inside to Cornwall, but he too was thwarted by Dumbrill's alert save to palm the ball around the post. The ten men of YMCA refused to buckle but with Pullen commanding his area like a general, the greater threat was of more Hamlet goals. Dumbrill would prove a naysayer on that count, hardly tested a Jamie Cheeseman's effort from a couple of yards out but flinging himself full length to tip away Pinnock's deceptively powerful lightning bolt of a shot from fully 25 yards out.

YMCA: James Dumbrill; Rob Mills; Mo Shuga'a; Steve Best; Glen Woodburn; Tom White (Capt); Matt Russell; Ave Gellatly; Kevin Keehan; Pat Massaro (Steve Davies 66); Scott Kirkwood

Unused subs: James Bird; Adam O'Carroll; Mike Wood (GK)

DHFC: James Pullen; Jason Turley; Nicolas Plumain; Daniel Nwanze; Jamie Coyle (Capt); Lewis Tozer; David Moore; Kenny Beaney; Luke Cornwall (Carlton Murray-Price 76); Chris Dickson (Sol Pinnock 76); Phil Williams (Jamie Cheeseman 70)

Unused subs: Ohran Stewart; Danny Moore

Attendance: 153

Officials:

Referee: Mr Ben Knight

Assistant Referees: Mr Anthony Foster & Mr Stephen Thorne

Goal Scoring:

1-0: DHFC: Chris Dickson (Penalty) 61^st minute