Maidstone United 2 Dulwich Hamlet 3

Saturday 28th October 2006

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

“Serendipity” to make discoveries, by accident and sagacity, of things not in quest of. The long stroll to Bourne Park does not bore well for the itinerant traveller, rolling through grey industrial sheds purveying their wares to the weekend DIY-er. Then, perchance, past an oddly incongruous ancient structure there looms the vast concrete edifice of Central Park once home to Sittingbourne FC in their halcyon days when an ambitious chairman had dreams of elevation to heights of football gloriana. Beyond, in the shadow of monument to footballing folly, there rests the rough and ready Bourne Park, a true Fans’ Stadium, pieced together perhaps from the contents of these anodyne sheds that line the route to this arena. Today the tenants are in, once mighty Maidstone, likewise humbled by a former, rapacious chairman but rebuild by the hands of loyal fans and decamped to industrial wastelands whilst they await the arrival of their new home back in Kent’s county town.

With both sides well-placed among the promotion pack and coming into the game on the back of famous knock-out victories away to Premier Division clubs, Chelmsford City and AFC Wimbledon respectively, hopes were high for a true clash of the titans. The fans were not to be disappointed as despite a bobbly pitch and the efforts of a swirling wind to disrupt proceedings, the goals flowed. 16 games into the season and already those Hamlet fans that have attended every competitive game have witnessed the staggering total of 79 goals.

These two combatants had achieved those cup victories in their own inimitable style, the Dulwich philosophy of attack until one can attack no more, then attack again in stark contrast to the solid mindset that had paved the way for a defensive bedrock upon which the expensive forwards of Chelmsford had foundered. However this was little evidence of a defensive attitude in the Stones’ early endeavours as one-time Dulwich youth teamer, Nathan Paul, showed his pace as an overlapping wingback providing a deadly cross from the right only for Jason Turley to provide the clearing header as Simon Austin threatened. Paul was again the catalyst with a ball in behind the Dulwich defence but from a difficult angle Jason Barton failed to test Chris Lewington as the ball was stabbed in to the side netting. Moments later Chris Dickson put a cross shot wide but controversially Hamlet were denied a penalty a minute by the home town referee as Eniola Oluwa held off the challenge of Paul only to have his legs taken from him by the same player as he shaped to shoot on the edge of the six yard box.

Swiftly clicking into gear and coming to grips with the uneven, scraggily grassed terrain, Dulwich started to gain the upper hand and it took a brave block from stopper Pat Mullin to deny Dickson as hammered a powerful shot goalwards.

On the quarter hour, domination earned its reward as the Hamlet claimed the afternoon’s opening goal. A corner won by Justyn Roberts was played short to Nicolas Plumain, the ball delivered into the heart of the danger area. Dickson juggled but could not make space for himself. The ball dropped to Roberts, a first strike blocked by the hand of a defender. No whistle from the prevaricating man in black but it mattered not a jot for the rebound fell back at the feet of the defensive colossus, the ball stabbed goalwards as he fell and Mullin powerless to keep the shot from trickling into the bottom corner of his net.

Good football stifled by the elements, the environment and a puzzling array of stoppages for apparent infringements conspired to put the kibosh on entertainment. Kenny Beaney went to his knees after bursting into the box but naught. Then out of the blue an equaliser for the Stones. A hefty punt out of defence from Lee Shearer seemed destined for No Man’s Land but Lynden Rowland had other ideas. Chasing the ball with Turley in pursuit he let it bounce before hitting a terrific first time volley on the angle that had Lewington frozen to his near post as the ball flashed past him into the opposite corner.

Riled by this, Hamlet hit back. Released down the right channel Dickson showed his strength to muscle his way to the back line but a pull back had been anticipated by Mullin and he pounced on the low cross as Dickson’s fellow strikers lay in wait. A couple later and Plumain would dart into the box only for a meticulously timed tackle from Mario McNish to whip from his toes and behind for a corner, from whence Plumain would deliver a tempting cross into the area. The danger cleared momentarily Phil Williams recovered, whipping a ball in that swirled upon the ether but that Beaney was unable to reach and provide the killer touch.

Stones came close again, a curious free kick delivered deep to the back of the box for Ryan Royston to meet but plop a header into the side netting before Nick Barnes exchanged passes with Sam Tydeman until to rocket a shot wide of the mark. As half time drew ever closer and fans’ minds drifted to a warming Bovril, Hamlet regained their lead though it was not without controversy. Convinced, erroneously, that Plumain had allowed the ball to run out of play, a momentary lapse of concentration proved fatal. Unfazed Plumain slipped a pass into Williams, who ghosted through the diaphanous attempts to thwart his run before neatly curling a pearler of a finish beyond the clutches of Mullin.

A few words from the management and the Stones came out hitting the right notes only for Hamlet’s rhythm section to play a drum solo upon the hapless defence. A brace of early Stones’ free kicks had to be dealt with, messily but dealt with. Shawn Beveney almost made his mark as Royston surrendered the ball to him, the Guyanese international denied by the feet of Mullin. Time for the Stones to unveil their secret weapon, not the electric pace of Alex Tiesse of whose debut the home fans would have to wait but Aaron Lacy, a man possessed not only of mullet to rival the Chris Waddle of the 80’s but an almighty catapult of a throw-in that would test the Hamlet defence to very limits. His gifts were soon in even demand as Beveney repeated his party piece as a sweeping move out of defence saw Beveney turn on the gas as the ball was played through, bearing down on Mullin before calmly driving the ball low through the diving keeper to nestle in the far corner of the net.

Déjà vu two minutes later, but this time Mullin’s effort would prove successful, if painful, the custodian twisting an ankle in a pothole as he dived at the feet of Beveney. A long break in play ensued, Mullin’s recovery not aided by his physio whose novel method of determining the location of the injury by threading on the offending limb has yet to be adopted by the British Medical Association. Dulwich rhythm interrupted and a hideous bungle from the tyro Dulwich custodian gave Maidstone an unlikely route back into the game. Austin’s cross from the right wing seemed a routine catch for young Lewington but somehow he contrived to let the ball slip through his fingers behind him and like a hungry man pouncing upon a meal, Barnes was on hand to stab the errant ball into the now unguarded net.

Rather than withdraw into their shell and protect their fragile lead, the Hamlet’s instant response was offensive, a two-footed salute to the negative game as a left wing attack set up Beveney to feed Oluwa, the quicksilver midfielder making space to rifle in a stunning drive that looked destined for the top corner until Mullin produced an equally breathtaking one-handed save to turn the shot away.

Mullet-topped missile launcher Lacy bombed a throw into the penalty area, Lewington, unfazed by his earlier faux pas, twisting to claw Shearer’s goal bound header over the crossbar. Then a lifeline was thrown in the direction of the hosts, Barnes and Lewis Tozer collided in the area, and much to the chagrin of the Hamlet defender Mr Gosling pointed instantly to the spot. Tozer’s indignation was further compounded as his protestations of innocence brought naught but a caution from the man in black. Upon Barnes the victim fell the responsibility of dispensing retribution but his nerve failed him, Lewington unruffled like his net as the ball was blasted a goodly distance wide of the mark.

Three minutes later Dickson had the opportunity to put the seal on victory as he went mano-a-mano with Mullin but a shot nestled in the midriff of the spread-eagled keeper. Seconds later and the Stones still could get no satisfaction as another penalty appeal fell on stony ground, the ball clearly striking the hand of Tozer as he attempted a tackle but then fate has a strange way of evening these things out. A minute into an interminable bout of stoppage time, Dickson looped in a deep cross to the back post where Williams rose to plant a header just wide. Subscribing to the Einsteinian Theory of Elastic Time, Mr Gosling stretched out stoppage almost to infinity. Each time the Hamlet attacked but lost the ball, the Stones rolled forward, Hamlet’s defence stretched to the bounds but it held firm, victory assured once more.

Teams:

MUFC: Pat Mullin; Nathan Paul (Kane Rice 88); Craig Roser; Lee Shearer; Mario McNish; Ryan Royston; Sam Tydeman; Nick Barnes; Simon Austin (Alex Tiesse 81); Lynden Rowland; Jason Barton (Aaron Lacy 52)

Subs not used: Nick Hegley; Michal Czanner (GK)

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Jason Turley (Capt); Nicholas Plumain; Cedric Meeko; Justyn Roberts; Lewis Tozer; Eniola Oluwa; Kenny Beaney; Shawn Beveney (Sol Pinnock 80); Chris Dickson (Daniel Jones 90+7); Phil Williams

Subs not used: Jamie Coyle; Matt Dean; David Moore

Attendance: 361

Officials:

Referee: Mr I Gosling (Sittingbourne)

Assistant Referees: Mr G Gooding (Ashford, Kent) and Mr A Marshall (Gillingham, Kent)

Goalscoring

0-1 DHFC Justyn Roberts 15th minute

1-1 MUFC Lynden Rowland 27th minute

1-2 DHFC Phil Williams 45th minute

1-3 DHFC Shawn Beveney 53rd minute

2-3 MUFC Nick Barnes 58th minute

AFC Wimbledon 2 Dulwich Hamlet 3

London Senior Cup – First Round

Tuesday 24th October 2006

A deficit holds no fear for the Hamlet lads as for the second time this season, they surrendered a early two lead to the opposition only to reaffirm their superiority with an outstanding fight back capped by one of the most spectacular goals seen in a Dulwich shirt for many a year, courtesy of the goal machine Chris Dickson and a sublime strike that had the Kingsmeadow crowd purring in disbelief.

The early stages of the London Senior Cup, sandwiched between FA Trophy and FA Cups dates for the hosts, may lack the lustre of those more senior competitions, even the presence of the “Old Tin Pot” herself failing to draw in those Dons fans that preferred to save their pennies for Devon cream teas and flagons of cider come Saturday. Still the evening gave the home crowd a chance to gaze upon the FA Cup, paraded pre-match, an honour the reborn Dons crave to clutch to their bosom, not reach out for in a fleeting moment, knowing it still belongs to their bastard forebears in the land of the concrete cow.

To the teams and manager Dave Anderson, picking through the debris of a tough Trophy tie at the weekend, made copious changes to the side that gingerly negotiated their way to victory over Dunstable. Of the starting line-up on Saturday just Simon Sweeney remained with four of the weekend substitutes also being elevated from the bench, providing the opportunity for some of the younger Dons players to get game time in a competitive match. For the Hamlet, cup keeper Chris Lewington resumed his position between the sticks whilst Shawn Beveney made his full debut in attack, his physique providing a sledgehammer to complement the featherlite touch of Dickson.

Reserve XI's, squad team, call it what you will but, whilst some may hold them up as an excuse for defeat more often than not they can be as potent as any so-called “full strength” team. Fired with enthusiasm to show the bosses they are worthy of a call up to ply their trade alongside the “Galácticos” of the First XI, the reserve can be a deadly animal. Proof of the pudding came as AFC gave Hamlet, ring rusty after 10 days without competitive action, the run around in the opening minutes culminating in a deserved, if poorly conceded goal, after just 9 minutes. In came a free kick from the left delivered by Robin Shroot and, with keeper Lewington coming late for the ball, Wayne Finnie rose highest to dink an ungainly header over the tyro custodian and into the net.

As Dulwich found their gear, they started to pose threats of their own with Phil Williams incisive on the wing but unable to provide the telling service for the forwards as the defence drew ranks around him at the vital moments. The defensive bedrock proved an ample foundation upon which the Dons would build their early dominance. Young Shroot, achieving the schoolboy dream of graduating from terrace to terrain, came within a whisker of doubling that lead as a cross field ball found him in acres of space on the left of the penalty area. A quick change of direction, leaving Jason Turley behind and the youngster let rip with a cracking effort that had Lewington beaten but cannoned back off the angle of post and bar to a chorus of agonised gasps from the home support. Cue an exchange of chances as Eniola Oluwa chanced his arm with a first time effort from 30 yards out that almost found the gaping space keeper Paul Smith had left at his right hand post. Soon after neat work from Williams paved the way for a tempting cross into the heart of the six yard box where centre-half Lewis Tozer was arriving to stab the ball fractionally wide of the upright. Mere seconds ticked by and the Hamlet were back on defensive duties again but to no avail as a hideous mix-up at the back proved the precursor for number two. Attempting to clear a back pass up field Lewington cracked the ball against his own defender, the spirited Shroot latching on to the rebound and pulling the ball back across goal from whence Steve Tyson had the facile task of slotting home.

The worrying spectre of heavy defeat loomed but in Wayne’s World the answer to the concession of goals is simply to attack, attack, attack some more. Three minutes later and Dulwich had clasped a lifeline as the man Dickson claimed his obligatory goal. Muscling off a pair of defenders, he set his sights on goal and with Smith stampeding from his line in a vain attempt to smother the danger; the Hamlet hitman was ice-calm as he gently stroked the goal beyond the onrushing custodian.

The goal might have counted for naught within two minutes as a deep rightwing cross seemingly going nowhere was nodded away by Shroot from the clutches of Lewington but the relief column arrived in the shape of Turley who calmly cleared the ball from the goal mouth. If Lewington had been at fault in the two goals so far, he soon showed why he is so highly regarded with a stunning pair of reaction saves, first denying Tyson with a diving one-handed save to turn behind the midfielder’s screaming long-range drive, then reacting quickly to stop the ball at the base of his near post as the resultant corner was delivered to the head of Darren Grieves.

Full throttle football but the nets remained unruffled. Five minutes left, a hefty challenge on Williams as he bewitched the Dons defence at the fringes of the penalty area. Free kick to the Hamlet, up stepped Kenny Beaney and with the touch of an artist, he lifted the ball up and over the wall, Smith, despite a valiant leap, powerless to keep the ball from finding its intended target. The Dons hit back in the minutes that remained and Lewington had to be at his best to scramble a fearsome shot on the run from Mark King with Grieves narrowly missing the chance to restore the hosts’ lead soon after as his header from a left wing cross went an inch the wrong side of the back stick.

Second half and Dulwich were at their hosts’ throats from the off. Oluwa wove his wizardry on the wing, threatening the goal within seconds of the restart but the real magic was reserved for Dickson as Hamlet went ahead for the first time in the 47th minute. A pass lifted behind the defence found Dickson seemingly too far from goal, the angle too narrow to pose a threat but the striker’s instinctive ability to snuff out the flimsiest of openings proved telling as he unleashed a thunderous shot from an impossible position leaving Smith clutching at the air as the ball flew unerringly into the top far corner of the net. His celebratory jig may not find its way on to the dance floors of clubland but that goal will become the stuff of legends.

The fuse lit, Dulwich attacked again almost instantly, Oluwa finding a higher gear to blast past the last defender but denied by the foot of Smith at his near post. Not that AFC had died for they came close as a free kick was nodded on to the roof of the net but frustration was creeping into their game as like the old village bobby they found themselves given the run-around by the streetwise South London kids. Gell earned himself a caution for a crunching, late challenge on Beaney before another heavy tackle on Cedric Meeko ended his participation, the midfielder limping from the field to be replaced by Daniel Jones.

A double sub to invigorate the Dons but the ballistic missile of a Finnie throw tested the Hamlet defence, amid the mêlée shots blocked as the rearguard stood firm. Dickson denied moments later as he brushed aside defenders, only for Smith to rush from his line and pinch the ball from the striker’s toes at the very extremity of his penalty area.

The minutes seemed to rush by the football flowed. Nicolas Plumain, providing an overlap down the right, came mighty close from the acutest of angles as he drove the ball across the face of goal. A magnificent chance for the Dons went begging as Grieves found himself all alone in the right pocket. A centre found substitute Jon Boswell who turned Tozer but with the goal looming, hesitated that split-second too long and Lewington was at his feet to smother.

Another yellow for the men in blue as skipper Steve Butler apparently stamped on Tozer after the defender’s vital tackle on the edge of the box as the frustration bit deep. Unable, nay unwillingly, to shut up shop, Dulwich threatened once more. Beveney had a shot blocked from 10 yards out, Oluwa latching on to the loose ball only to be denied by a deflection. The corner cleared to Justyn Roberts and a fearsome drive mere millimetres over the crossbar. Up came the board, five minutes of added time, now the moments crawled. An angled shot from Dickson flashed wide but the spectre of extra time hovered in the air, only dispelled in the final seconds as Boswell leapt for a cross pumped in from the left, only to loop his header over the crossbar.

Teams:

AFCW: Paul Smith; Simon Sweeney; Jake Galbraith; Chris Gell; Steve Butler (Capt); Wayne Finnie; Casey MacLaren (Joe Paris 70); Steve Tyson (Jon Boswell 83); Darren Grieves; Mark King (Niall Connery 70); Robin Shroot

Subs not used: Andy Little (GK); Jack Johnson

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Jason Turley (Capt); Nicolas Plumain; Cedric Meeko (Daniel Jones 68); Justyn Roberts; Lewis Tozer; Eniola Oluwa; Kenny Beaney; Shawn Beveney; Chris Dickson; Phil Williams (Stanley Muguo 90+2)

Subs not used: David Moore; Daniel Nwanze; Theo Fairweather-Johnson

Attendance: 672

Officials

Referee: Mr Dave Bushell (Tottenham)

Assistant Referees: Mr Russell Howes (Wood Green) & Mr Dele Sotimirin (London)

Fourth Official: Mr Columbus Pritchard (Bromley)

Goalscoring:

1-0 AFCW Wayne Finnie 9th minute

2-0 AFCW 19th minute

2-1 DHFC Chris Dickson 21st minute

2-2 DHFC Kenny Beaney 39th minute

2-3 DHFC Chris Dickson 47th minute

Dulwich Hamlet 5 Whyteleafe 0

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 14th October 2006

Rumours that the powers to be at Champion Hill are considering installing garish flashing lights (“Goals, Goals, Goals”, “Live Soccer Show Here”, “One-on-One Action Every Five Minutes”) on Edgar Kail Way have yet to come to fruition, so ‘Disgusted of Everthorpe Road’ can put down this quill before dashing off another diatribe to the local broadsheets. However the forecast at the Hill continues to be for heavy downpours of goals as plucky Whyteleafe became the latest victims to be steamrolled beneath the Hamlet behemoth, who tossed lightly aside the bitter disappointment of FA Trophy defeat to Tooting in that game and cement their place amongst the promotion pack as for once their perennial bogey boys were picked off with ease.

With Jamie Coyle still some way from full fitness and Gavin Dayes starting a three match suspension, Lewis Tozer, himself forced off on Tuesday after a blow to the head, found himself with a new partner in the heart of defence as Justyn Roberts, erstwhile youth team graduate, returned to his Hamlet hunting grounds after being deemed surplus to requirements at Nottingham Forest. In addition Luke Cornwall returned to the attack, in place of young Daniel Jones who must have been exhausted following his midweek exertions.

Even before kick-off ‘Leafe’s afternoon did not appear promising, as former Hamlet full back Peter Wood broke down in the warm-up, robbing the visitors of an experienced head at the back though the looming figure of Danny Arkwright still dominated the centre of defence. Too often in the past Hamlet attacks had floundered on this imposing leviathan, but this time the Dulwich attack simply decided on the path of least resistance, the scenic route past the Ambling Alp rather than the rough slog to its snowy peak. So arrived the first goal after just five minutes as the fire and ice combined. The fire, Chris Dickson, harried the ‘Leafe defence; the ice, Cornwall, provided the coolest of finishing touches, celebrating so nonchalantly that one might have though a goal at Champion Hill came along as regularly as the buses down Dog Kennel Hill. Oh, if only the buses were that frequent.

With Hamlet totally in command, it took some agile keeping from the overworked Danny Coote to block a close range effort from Dickson after he had brushed aside a double defensive challenge, Coote recovering to claim the ball ahead of Dickson as it looped down behind the keeper. Not long after and a stunning volley from out on the sidelines saw Leon McDowall find the back of the net, but no plaudits for the once promising striker, enjoying a rehabilitation at Church Road following much-publicised off the field troubles, for the whistle had long gone for offside. A yellow card added to his woes.

As green turned to gold on the ivy clad walls of the Hill, green turned to even greener on the field as Nicolas Plumain alchemic touch turned an everyday charge down the wing into goal number 2. With eyes only for goal, the interchangeable wing back cut in from the flanks, sliced through the rearguard and finished with a deadly accurate low drive that beat Coote comprehensively at his near post.

So far, ten minutes per goal, so another avalanche to bury the ‘Leafe? No such luck. Though dominant, Dulwich seemed introspective, as much concerned with making such of victory, as with the manner of it. Tozer went close as he looped a Kenny Beaney free kick on to the roof of the net but the goal threat had subsided.

Trailing and browbeaten, ‘Leafe’s plays were further thrown into disarray as they lost defender Stuart Hardy, and with no defensive replacements available had to replace him with attacker Steve Douglas. Hamlet sensed the weaknesses and upped the tempo as the break drew closer, though they had to contend with Cornwall limping from the field of combat in the 44th minutes, to be replaced by Sol Pinnock. In the few minutes of play that remained Dulwich again had the ball in the net as Dickson got ahead of the last defender to meet a right wing cross. Coote, venturing far from his line, found himself stranded in No Man’s Land as Dickson teased the ball over him with an outrageous lob which bounced on the line and up into the net as Tony Martin tried to keep it out. Much to the opprobrium of the Hamlet striker, Dickson’s goal was instantly chalked off by referee Mr Lugg, convinced that Dickson had interfered with Martin as he leapt for the balls, his hands allegedly on the defender’s back.

The fiery Dickson would have his revenge, though it would to wait until the hour mark ticked by, for fortune would again favour the defence as the most sublime of chip shots from distance beat Coote with ease but slammed against the face of the crossbar. This proved but a precursor for the Hamlet to stretch their lead even further within 60 seconds. Sweeping majestically out of defence, the Hamlet gently caressed the ball from player to player and up the field. Phil Williams, speed stripes illuminating his tonsure, threw the shackles of the defence, ripped past a couple of tackles and centred for Dickson. Rather than take on the shot himself, the goal machine picked out his neophyte strike partner and serenely Pinnock slipped a pass beyond the grasp of Coote to nestle gently in the far corner of the net.

Barely razing the bar with a chipped effort soon after, Dickson must have been steeling himself for a rare barren afternoon, but then on 61 minutes at last the goal came. The ball found itself swept out wide to Pinnock, a centre picking out Dickson on the edge of the penalty area. The striker burst through the smallest of gaps and struck. Off the legs of Coote, spread-eagled before him, came the ball. Fastest to react, Dickson redeemed himself stretched out a leg to tuck the ball back inside the near upright.

Victory surely beyond them, ‘Leafe brought out the final jokers in their pack. One of those sacrificed was former Hamlet striker, Carlton Murray-Price, recently returned to Church Road but unable to make an impression against his former team-mates. For Hamlet too there came a change as Kenny Beaney was given a chance to rest as his midfield mantle passed to Guyanese international Shawn Beveney, promoted from the reserves.

With a multitude of strikers now in play, it was perhaps no surprise that ‘Leafe created their clearest opportunity in the minutes following the tactical tweakings. Young Douglas carved out an opening with an incisive charge along the backline, pulling the ball back into the path of McDowall, whose rasping drive brought a breathtaking save out of the underemployed James Pullen, as he flung himself right to batter away the goal bound drive. However any lingering imaginings that this might spark a mini-revival from the visitors were soon rudely dashed as Hamlet administered a firm smack of reality with a fifth goal, created through the twinkling feet of Pinnock, who bulldozed through the final challenge of the full back, then picked his moment before drilling the ball low across the face of goal for Dickson to crown victory with a fifth.

Number 6 was but a whisker away when Pinnock switched his attentions to ‘Leafe’s right flank and from an impossible angle struck a ferocious drive against the far post, only to watch, frustrated, as the ball cannoned back into play. Hamlet were roistering, playing with their prey, the Buena Vista Social Club playing experimental jazz to the Church Road Social Club’s karaoke night. Young Theo Fairweather-Johnson, small of stature but possessed of foot with the power of a steam hammer came on for Eniola Oluwa and left the hoardings quivering as he met a lofted cross over and behind the defence with a drive of raw energy.

At the final whistle, the fantastical farce of Tuesday seemed little more than a footnote in history. Methinks even a smile cracked upon the stony visage of manager Wayne Burnett, perhaps more in response to that rare beast of late, a clean sheet.

Teams:

DHFC: James Pullen; Jason Turley (Capt); Nicolas Plumain; Cedric Meeko; Justyn Roberts; Lewis Tozer; Eniola Oluwa (Theo Fairweather-Johnson 79); Kenny Beaney (Shawn Beveney 72); Luke Cornwall (Sol Pinnock 44); Chris Dickson; Phil Williams

Substitutes not used: Daniel Jones, Chris Lewington (GK)

WFC: Danny Coote; Stuart Hardy (Steve Douglas 34); Tony Martin; Oliver Barrett (James Crofts 62); Danny Arkwright; Joe Clark; Ellis Conroy; Carlton Murray-Price; Ryan Rummery (Daniel Hornsby 65); Leon McDowall; Scott Simpson

Substitutes not used: Richard Williams

Attendance: 317

Officials:

Referee: Mr Nigel Lugg (Chipstead, Surrey)

Assistant Referees: Mr John Ryan (Worcester Park, Surrey) and Mr Mark Ford (Cheam, Surrey)

Goalscoring:

1-0 DHFC Luke Cornwall 5th minute

2-0 DHFC Nicolas Plumain 21st minute

3-0 DHFC Sol Pinnock 51st minute

4-0 DHFC Chris Dickson 61st minute

5-0 DHFC Chris Dickson 75th minute

Bird Spotting at Champion Hill

Danny Coote (Whyteleafe) out quickly to deny Chris Dickson (Dulwich Hamlet)

A pair of old Coot(e)s try to recall whose round it is!!

Back to the football!

Phil Williams faces down Whyteleafe's Substitute Daniel Hornsby

Champion Hill returnee Justyn Roberts attempts to mark his comeback with a goal as he joins the attack in this penalty area melee.

Sol Pinnock prepares to drive past the last defender on his way to setting up goal number five for Chris Dickson

Defensive attempts at aeroplane impersonation fail to distract Pinnock as he readies himself to tee up striker partner Dickson to make it 5-0

Unlucky for Pinnock as this angled drive rebounds back off the post.

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.