HA HA HA HERE COME THE BELGIANS & THE ESTONIANS

Fitting that on Eurovision day South London's Cathedral of Football rang to continental accents as the Champion Hill played host to the inaugural Supporters International Tournament, with the Rabblers entertaining opposition from the far flung Flanders fields and the Baltics. Under the flag of Belgium came notre vieux amis, PSG Belgique, whilst new friends flew in from Tallinn, Estonia in the shape of JK Jalgpallihaigla to provide the opposition for the home team the game that would kick off a Festival of Football that even the downcast skies, darkening by the minute and pregnant with precipitation that would rain down upon the hallowed turf as morning turned afternoon, could not tarnish.

At the appointed hour, the XI's of Jalgpallihaigla and the Hamlet strode out from the shadows of the tunnel for the ceremonials, exhorted to perform feats of sporting excellence by one-time Olympian, Southwark councillor Columba Blango whose stirring words of introduction were missed by our Belgian friends, still negotiating the vagaries of South London's traffic system. All the niceties observed, match officials and the two competing squads introduced to the guest of honour, and the ceremonial kick-off performed by Councillor Blango, the action began in earnest.

Before a minute had elapsed the Hamlet goal was under attack, a corner met with a firm header but a goal denied as Rabbler custodian Steve Rickerby stretched his frame to turn the ball on to the crossbar and behind for a corner. The Estonians looked strong, determined, the Hamlet fragile and when Jalgpallihaigla's nippy winger Madis (17) latched on to a cross field pass out to the right wing, it took a desperate lunge from Hamlet defender Ian Hunt to slide and cut out a dangerous low cross into the six yard box. Not long after, it was Ivo Viira powering his way into the penalty area, a fierce strike from close range blocked by Rickerby's knees. The rebound was gathered by Margus Lookene lurking just outside the penalty area but he slammed his volley into the turf, taking the sting out of shot that was comfortably collected by the Hamlet number one. Viira missed a golden chance to turn dominance into goals on 13 minutes when he leapt to volley a neat chip but to his frustration missed the target from a matter of yards.

On the quarter hour Hamlet carved out their premier opening of note as Chris Garrett set his sights on goal after muscling off his marker but failed to trouble Madis Hallimäe between the sticks, shooting straight at him. That shock absorbed the Estonians at last found the goal they craved as a looping cross in from the right wing eluded Rickerby and Remi Tamm threw himself at the ball ahead of the last defender to bullet a header into the now unguarded net. Five minutes later and the visiting centre-forward was on the scoresheet once more, the goal created by the electric pace of Madis (17) out wide, a low cross somehow squirmed its way through Hamlet legs and Tamm lunging in predatory fashion to tuck the ball home from inches out. As the half-hour and half-time loomed, midfield dynamo Phil Doyle slid a pass beyond the last line of defence into the path of Hamlet's terrier of attack, James O'Shaughnessy, his pace too much for the covering defenders but a shot wasted, lamped into the body of Hallimäe.

Barely had the whistle to start second half faded than Jalgpallihaigla were rampaging forward once more, Viira chipping a precise pass into the path of Madis (17), the wingman unleashing a fierce drive from a tight angle but denied as Rickerby hacked the ball to safety. Soon though the pendulum began to swing in the favour of the Hamlet. First Doyle let rip with a low drive from 20 yards out that skidded just wide of the upright then O'Shaughnessy, Junior escaped the clutches of the outside trap, sending over an inviting that found the head of Garrett but a header looped harmlessly over. Seven minutes into the half Hamlet eventually had the ball in the back of the net courtesy of young O'Shaughnessy, Jack McInroy's intuitive pass releasing him but this time the offside trap had been sprung and the 'goal' remained elusive. Moments later Garrett lashed a cross shot wide of the near post before O'Shaughnessy again showed a clean pair of heels to the Estonian rearguard, but having slipped the ball past the out rushing 'keeper, an acute angel proved his undoing, a shot bobbling across the face of the empty net.

Jalgpallihaigla, stirred back into action by the rabble rousing, threatened once more with Madis Kaaret powering his way forward, smote a venomous drive that hacked away by Hamlet's unorthodox custodian. Madis (17) slipped the bounds of the defence soon after, the sight of Rickerby charging from his line perhaps enough to thwart him as the winger slid the ball past the number one as he spread before him, only recoil in frustration as the ball rolled wide of the upright. Hamlet's defence was breached once as Tamm was allowed free rein on the left, chipping the ball beyond the advancing Rickerby towards Madis (17) who nodded the ball into an unguarded net only to be flagged for offside. Not that mattered much for within a minute the Estonians were celebrating for real as Madis (17) rampaged down the right, hammering a low ball into the six yard, missed by Tamm looking for his hat trick but sweetly tucked away at the back stick by Viira for a comfortable cushion.

A chance for a consolation for the Hamlet two minutes later, a close range strike slipped by Hallimäe at the feet of McInroy who pulled the trigger only for a bullet of a shot rattle back off the inside of the post and ricochet to safety. With five minutes left on the clock, the Hamlet did at last receive some reward for their endeavours, Doyle taking a punt and drilling a low daisy cutter from distance beyond the despairing dive of the 'keeper to nestle in the corner of the net. A goal of purest simplicity and as the modest goalscorer commented later, "I just hit it and it went". Who needs floribund poetry when simple prose speaks such volumes? Hopes of fighting finish from the Hamlet died not long after for with three minutes left on the clock, a Jalgpallihaigla corner arrived in the Hamlet box, a mêlée ensued and from the end of the 6 yard box Silver Nahkur cracked the ball home with a crisp half volley.

So endeth the first contest. By now the Belgians had hacked their way through the tarmac jungle of South London and readied themselves for action, the Rabblers their opponents whilst the Estonians repaired to the bar to sample the ales on offer. Short on numbers though long on talent, les Belgiques were prove themselves the afternoon's star attraction with aid of the odd collaborator from the hosts, their rematch with the Hamlet producing the sight of Dulwich's stout yeoman of defence, Mick O'Shaughnessy marshalling the Belgian rearguard against an attack spearheaded by the fruit of his loins.

PSG marked the cards with a goal in opening moments of the contest but your scribe was otherwise engaged and the machinations that led to the goal must remain a mystery to all but those involved. Quarter hour approached and Dulwich were back on level terms having endured some sticky patches, spending too long on the back foot. The goal came from Keri Ryan, possessor of a Kiwi boot more used to connecting with the strange shaped gourds that the Rugger fraternity handle. However there was little danger that this particular leather object would disappear over the posts as Ryan muscled his way into the penalty and, as he lost balance, stretched a leg to sent a sizzling bullet of a drive beyond the clutches of a 'keeper grasping at the air. Buoyed with confidence the Rabblers looked to have turned a corner but five minutes later they trailed once more as the defence was undone and a lone attacker strode forward to slip the ball under an advancing 'keeper. The action continued apace, Lawrence Marsh, Atlas of the XI bearing its troubles on his shoulders, switched into attack, the ploy almost bearing fruit as he outpaced the defence in pursuit of a hoofed forward pass, nicked the ball past the onrushing 'keeper but was denied by the doggedness of the last defender who ripped the ball from his toes as he threatened on tuck home a second equaliser. The teams exchanged goals, PSG extended their lead with a snappy finish from close range, Hamlet narrowed the deficit once more as O'Shaughnessy minor unleashed a stunning left footed volley into the top, the Belgian 'keeper gasping for air like a stranded flounder as the ball zipped past him. Back came the Belgians, twice Hamlet number one Rickerby was forced into action in the dying minutes of the half a fearsome close range strike hacked to safety then a stinging strike after some outrageous juggling on the edge of the area battered away.

Ten minutes into Act Two of the game and O'Shaughnessy minor was at again, this time progenitor embarrassed by progeny, O'Shaughnessy senior missed a left wing cross, left in an mortified muddle as the son produced an exquisite chip to leave PSG's stranded 'keeper dumbfounded and restore parity. PSG had a second gear, though, and a not-so-secret weapon in the shape of François Lucas, on his way to a hat-trick, and eager for match practice ahead of the Belgian play-offs. Two minutes after O'Shaughnessy junior had levelled matters, Lucas was danced lightly through the challenges of the Hamlet defence and tucking the ball home. An open goal missed in similar fashion soon after did not blunt the PSG advance and through Marsh slammed a decent strike into the hoardings PSG were back in command with a fifth 11 minutes from time as a right wing cross was left by Marsh and eluded a stranded Rickerby as it homed in on the far corner of the net. The scoring was done, the result certain two minutes later when a left wing raid saw the ball drilled low into the 6 yard box and a predatory strike saw the ball neatly tucked home. Goalscoring honours to François Lucas with a trio, aided and abetted by Steve Denille with a double and midfield wizard Arvid Lazaron with the opener.

A second defeat and nul points for the Hamlet but the afternoon was set for a dramtic climax, Jalgpallihaigla versus PSG Belgique for the inaugural Pa Wilson Cup, a win apiece, goal difference could not separate them, the Belgians holding the whip hand by dint of scoring more goals.

Aah, the clouds were violent and violet with shades of the darkest blue and grey over the gladiatorial pit as the guests marched into the arena for the final showdown. The Estonians craved victory; PSG would emerge triumphant should they just avoid defeat, neither team had the luxury of playing a joker in this Jeux Sans Frontiers, but perhaps the Belgians had a ace in their pack.

The stage was set, the cast assembled. Jalgpallihaigla motored out of the blocks, PSG false started. A corner met with a fulsome head by Nahkur crashed away off the crossbar. A deep ball missed by defender, Lawrence Marsh under a Belgian flag of convenience, let in Tamm but he stabbed wide. Kaaret chanced his arm with a long range exocet that zoomed a foot wide of the 'keeper's left hand upright. Jalgpallihaigla were on the rampage but lacklustre PSG had other ideas and after a header just cleared the bar, the ominous presence of François Lucas hove into view a crisp strike beating the 'keeper and finding the net despite the best efforts of last defender Kenter Peljo to sweep the ball off the goalline. Lucas was at again as the game started into overdrive, breaking through but dragging a shot across the face of goal. Jalgpallihaigla hit back with Tamm denied by a brave covering tackle before testing PSG's number one with a cracking drive, palmed out toward the hovering Nahkur, but losing the ball amidst a tangle of legs, he was unable to capitalise. Lucas struck again before the break, adding the final touches to some elegant passing inside the box but Jalgpallihaigla served notice they were still in the hunt as Nahkur took advantage of defensive slip to drill the ball home.

Perhaps the rigours of travelling and playing were starting to set in. Perhaps the defensive handbook had been consigned to the dustbin, but the second half was to produce a cornucopia of goals. Steve Denille burst through in the opening moments only to be foiled by the legs of Hallimäe. Ivo Viira, restrained until now, let fly from distance with a shot ungainly clawed behind for a corner. The ball delivered, flapped at and Nahkur took no prisoners, turning on the loose ball, from 12 yards lashing it home. Parity lasted mere moments. Defensive doddering and Nahkur was able to set up Tamm for a simple but clinical finish. Quick reactions from Hallimäe kept that lead intact as he acrobatically turned a snapshot from close range on to his post. The Belgians though seemed to lose and 3-2 swiftly became 4-2 as Lookene laid the foundations for Tamm's second with a headstrong raid down the right, pulling the ball back to his team-mate to ice the cake with a neat finish.

Whilst green ribbons for the trophy were hunted down, Jalgpallihaigla cemented their lead with number 5 as a penalty box bagatelle was finished off with Lookene smiting the ball home. Then, like their Parisian heroes, the Belgian boys awoke from their slumber at the vital moment. Less than ten minutes were on the clock when the revival began. Lucas ghosted behind the last line of defence twice in as many minutes to cut the deficit to a single goal then passed the baton of attack to Denielle, quick feet, quick brain, teasing a tiring Estonian defence, thrice carving holes on the left wing before adding a personal touch with a shot tucked low to the right of the 'keeper, one curled high to his left and finally a unfussy finish to clinch triumph for PSG mugging Jalgpallihaigla of victory that had seemed so assured ten minutes earlier.

Consolation for the defeated guests came when Silver Nahkur was named Player of the Tournament. No surprise that PSG's one man goal machine would be recipient of the Top Scorer Trophy, François Lucas septet of goals ensuring him of that. Those two awards along with a presentation to match official, Mr Freddie Collins, were performed by newly-installed Dulwich Hamlet Jack Payne ably assisted by supporter of 60 years, Brian Weber, a man who can recall when regular continental, nay international, opposition was not solely the preserve of the Hamlet Supporters' XI.

Squads:

JKJ: Madis Hallimäe (Väravavaht); Ivo Viira (8); Tarmo Linnamagi (28); Priit Kubar (16); Kenter Peljo (6); Madis Kaaret (14); Silver Nahkur (10); Sten Kreisberg (69); Kristjan Tulp; Remi Tamm (9); Margus Lookene (8); Heiki Martinoff; Endre Rannaste; Priit Ustave; Madis (17); Näss (3); Heix (22)

PSG (B): Ian Wright (GK); David Fievet; Arvid Lazaron; Said Lamara; François Lucas; Samuel Dermience; Olivier Henry; Steve Deniele; Xavier Roussett; Alain Eliasy; Alain's Brother!; Nicolas Lucas; Mick O'Shaughnessy; Laurent Marécage; André Plissant; Le fils de Michael et quelques autres invités.

DHFC: Steve Rickerby (GK); Ian Hunt; Alex Bushell; Larry Marsh; Andy Tucker; Chris Garrett; Chris Tarbett; Jason Cobb; Mark Hutton; Mishi D Morath; Ferenc Morath; James O'Shaughnessy; Dawn Taylor; Jack McInroy; Keri Ryan; Phil Doyle

Match Officials: Referee: Mr Freddie Collins

Les félicitations à Danuta et Nicolas! õnnitlusle Danuta ja Nicolas! congratulations to Danuta and Nicolas!

Cray Wanderers 4 Dulwich Hamlet 3

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 28^th April 2007

Season's end and a jamboree atmosphere at Hayes Lane as Dulwich went down by the odd goal in seven in an entertaining if perplexing afternoon. Most of the first team regulars were given the afternoon off bronzing themselves upon the wide open spaces of Hayes Lane's antediluvian terraces whilst watching the bulk of this season's championship winning reserve squad given the chance to strut their stuff in front of the fans, gaining some valuable match practice ahead of their President's Cup semi-final at Northwood this coming Wednesday. Also lacing up his boots was manager Wayne Burnett, hoping to pass on the benefit of his playing days to the youngsters. Dulwich's head honcho might have carried the weight of experience though like almost half the team this was his full league debut in Pink and Blue.

Earthquakes might have rocked Kent in the early hours but there was little earth shattering in the opening exchanges as two sides with pride the only prize, struggled to motivate themselves on a warm afternoon when the weather and the football were more suited to a pre-season knock-up game against some county league village team.

Jamie Cheeseman struck a speculative effort wide from the edge of the area whilst Michael Power muscled his way past a brace of defenders only for his shot to be blocked and, after a nervous bout of Ping-Pong in the box, the ball was unceremoniously hoofed to safety as Ross Lover readied himself to pounce.

22 minutes and Dulwich had the ball in the net as David Milton tucked away the ball from close range, providing the final polish to a storming Phil Williams charge down the left wing but a raised flag from the assistant on the opposite side of the park stifled celebrations, the man in black's eagle eyes spotting that Williams' final pull back had come from behind the dead ball line. That disappointment served only to rally the Hamlet and two minutes later they had latched on to the lead as Theo Fairweather-Johnson ran on to a slipped pass, stretching a leg out to rifle the ball through ‘keeper Grant Hall who managed to get a hand to the stinging drive but could not keep the ball from its intended target.

The reply from the Wands was almost instantaneous, Pink and Blue parted like the Red Sea allowing Michael Power to charge through unhindered and level matters with an adroit finish past the exposed Simon Overland. Stunned Dulwich should have restored their lead just two minutes later when Cheeseman rolled a pass into the path of Williams, taking advantage of a defence oblivious to his run, but the giant figure of Grant Hall spread himself before him, clawing the ball away as Williams attempted to lift the ball over the prostrate custodian.

Half an hour on the clock and the troublesome Power was at it again, tripping past the last covering defenders on the edge of the Hamlet area, but his precise chip, aimed for the top corner of the net, found only the top of crossbar.

Fairweather-Johnson struck a good chance inches too high after neat footwork had left his marker flat-footed before Lewis Wood wasted a glorious opportunity to put his side in command. Left unguarded he was the grateful recipient of a well-placed cross field pass but his attempt to lob Overland with a first time volley proved fruitless as the ball cleared the net with something to spare though fellow striker Junior Baker seemed fooled stopping in his tracks as he trotted over to celebrate.

Tyro winger Milton threatened again when he collected the ball wide on the right wing, setting a course for goal as he zipped across the face of the area before letting fly from the D but to Grant Hall's relief the strike fizzed just over the crossbar.

Stoppage time at the end of the half, two minutes of it elapsed, and David Hall gave Cray the lead, dancing in from the right before hammering a low drive into the bottom corner of the net leaving Overland rotted to the spot.

Matters would swiftly deteriorate as Cray took control of the game in the early stages of the second half. A languid offside trap allowed Baker a clear run on goal and it took a marvellous tackle from Nicolas Plumain haring back to disrupt the striker's shot the eventual effort insubstantial. Hamlet failed to learn their lesson and when Baker tangled with Plumain in the area less than 60 seconds later, referee Mr Butler was left with no opinion but to point to the spot. Having come on for his sibling Lewis at the break, the mantle of penalty taker rested on Jamie Wood, the loyal servant of the Wands dispatching a textbook effort driven low and hard into the bottom corner of the net.

Launching a mass breakout from a failed Cray corner, a Dulwich attack, spearheaded by a rampaging Williams, promised much but after the midfielder had slid a pass wide to Cheeseman on his right, the return pass into the six yard box was too far ahead of Williams. Soon after Dulwich's defence went AWOL as an attempt to play the offside trap failed spectacularly. Baker timed his run down the left to perfection, drawing Overland as the keeper came to meet him, before unselfishly rolling the ball across to Power who had left the last of the Hamlet defence in his wake. Nary an easier goal for Cray's returning hero as the ball was slammed into the untended net.

Disquiet from the Hamlet faithful but then a combination of circumstances contrived to throw Dulwich a lifeline. Throwing himself at the feet of Daniel Jones, Cray ‘keeper Grant Hall caught his studs in the parched turf, his agonised writhing indicative that something was badly amiss. Six minutes sustained treatment was not enough and whilst the stricken custodian was borne from the field gloves and jersey passed to Al-James Hannigan. As all this transpired, Dulwich were making a key substitution Williams withdrawn to be replaced by Mazin Ahmad. Within a minute Hamlet had wormed a way back into the game as Jones overlapping down the left, hammered in a stunning finish high into the top near corner of the net.

Try as they might to protect the venerable Hannigan between the sticks Cray's defence was powerless to stem a breathtaking run from Ahmad that cut the deficit to a single goal with still 11 minutes remaining. Taking possession of the ball on the halfway line, Ahmad kicked into a higher gear as he breezed through vain Cray efforts to suffocate his charge through the home rearguard. Slipping deftly past the last defender, his final task was a simple one as he coolly tucked the ball home into the far bottom corner of the net.

With the game on tenterhooks, Ahmad opened up the defence with a ball into fellow substitute Serge Musungu but his attempt to chip Hannigan lacked the distance, the relieved stand-in making a comfortable gather. A minute later the new Number One made a less conventional save as Milton profited from Jones' storm run to the by-line, meeting his colleague's pull back with a fierce low drive towards the near bottom corner, one Hannigan kicked away at the foot of the upright.

The fight back dreams came within a gnat's breath of evaporating with 3 minutes left as the defence let Baker ghost in behind them once more. Overland rushed from his line, a vital block denying the Wanderers' wraith. Power latched on to the rebound, cheers for his hat-trick stillborn in the throats of the Cray acolytes as Billy Manners, covering back, headed the goal bound effort out from under the crossbar. Dulwich defiance had been stilled. Baker nodded a header into the side netting as normal time drifted into stoppage time.

The custodian's curse struck again as Hannigan was struck on the shoulder bravely diving amidst a flurry of feet as the ball was drilled into the six yard box. A brief bout of R&R for Hannigan and some tender treatment from both physiotherapists meant he could resume for the extended added time ahead. Hamlet pressed but an equaliser eluded. Even when they had the ball in the net 8 minutes over the allotted 90, fate favoured the hosts. Burnett was the enraged victim as he believed he had claimed a share of the points arriving at the back stick to power home a header from Ahmad's deep, deep cross from the right wing. Much to his chagrin, the assistant referee ruled that he had done so from an offside position. Under his breath, he might have whispered in the direction of the referee, "I hate you Butler!"

Merely a minute elapsed before the last blast of Mr Butler's whistle signalled game's end and season's end. For both sides promotion hopes had slipped away after leading the table earlier in the season. Envious eyes will be cast at those who claimed their seats at the play-off poker party in the Last Chance Saloon, something that was within the Hamlet's grasp until the latter days of this term. 'Til summer's lease is ended your faithful scribe will hie himself away to some darkened place until once more the boots are dubbined up and thwack of willow upon leather is replaced by that of leather upon leather.

Teams:

CWFC: Grant Hall (Gareth Graham 72); Danny Whelan; Colin Luckett; Julian Curnow; Al-James Hannigan; Dean Morris (Adam Young 63); Ross Lover; David Hall; Junior Baker; Michael Power; Lewis Wood (Jamie Wood HT)

Substitutes not used: Chris Eather; Jimmy Beauchamp

DHFC: Simon Overland; Matt Dean (Jason Turley 79); Daniel Jones; Billy Manners; Nicolas Plumain; Wayne Burnett; Kevin George; Jamie Cheeseman (Serge Musungu 60); Theo Fairweather-Johnson; David Milton; Phil Williams (Mazin Ahmad 72)

Substitutes not used: Stanley Muguo; Daniel Morris

Attendance: 264

Officials:

Referee: Mr Stuart Butler

Assistant Referees: Mr Simon Finnagan & Mr Daniel Wyatt

Goalscoring:

0-1 DHFC: Theo Fairweather-Johnson 23^rd minute

1-1 CWFC: Michael Power 24^th minute

2-1 CWFC: David Hall 45^th minute (+2)

3-1 CWFC: Jamie Wood 54^th minute (Penalty)

4-1 CWFC: Michael Power 62^nd minute

4-2 DHFC: Daniel Jones 73^rd minute

4-3 DHFC: Mazin Ahmad 79^th minute

Dulwich Hamlet 3 Ashford Town 3

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 21^st April 2007

The last home game of the season, and with the last blast of the whistle came confirmation that the Hamlet had failed in their quest for the consolation of a place in the play-offs. Two stunning late strikes from Daniel Morris had rescued a point for Dulwich, an equally stunning save from Ashford's sprightly custodian Jake Whincup denying substitute Shawn Beveney a winner out of the blue deep into stoppage time had prevented them taking all three and keeping the dream alive until the final day of the season. However this was a game that was a microcosm in reverse of all Hamlet's woes this season, ineffectual in the opening, deadly at the death. Cray await in 7 days time, but thoughts will surely turn now to next term and the ameliorations to a fine footballing side that needs a thread of steel through the elegant silk.

Manager Wayne Burnett made a number of changes to his starting line-up in the wake of the Walton reverse a week hence, recalling Jason Turley at full back in place of Nicolas Plumain, heavily weighting his attack with Leigh Bremner, Daniel Morris, Serge Musungu all making a reappearance. His opposite number John Cumberbatch, freed from the threat of relegation, was able to bring back the much-travelled Steve Sodje in attack, denied him in defeat at Fleet in midweek.

The Nuts'n'Bolts danced to the Hamlet's tune in the early stages but if the build-up was rhapsodic, little passes interwoven across the park, the final note grated, penetration severely lacking from the hosts. Skilful work from Damien Scannell down the right saw a tempting ball hammered across the six yard box but with not a single Pink and Blue shirt in attendance the chance went begging. Bremner burst past a diving Whincup as the ball was slipped to him in the area, the fingertips of the ‘keeper brushing the ball away from the feet of the striker and preventing him driving in a first time effort. Instead he elected for the pull back as yellow shirts swarmed back to cover and again the opening was lost. Best effort for the Kent boys came when Kennickson Jarrett-Elliott let fly with a sweet drive on the run, Hamlet custodian Simon Overland swiftly down to smother before dragging the ball back into his clutches as Sodje waited to Hoover up any spillage.

25 minutes and Morris slid through a perfect pass to the marauding Bremner, once more proving too fast for slovenly defenders, who let rip with a screaming rising drive from a tight angle that drew an exceptional save from Whincup, the shot singing his gloves as he leapt to his left to tip the strike again angle of crossbar and post. Teasing and probing, Scannell's frequent sorties down the flanks had flat-footed defenders pleading in vain for offside each time they were left in his fiery wake. Oh for an old-fashioned centre-forward, cast out of the Willie Lillington or Ronnie Murrock mould, to provide the final flourish to Scannell's artistry!

As Hamlet plugged away to no avail, the Nuts'n'Bolts threatened once more as the half hour ticked by. Nick Wright, on loan from Championship side Birmingham City, snatched the ball from the feet of Turley before motoring down the right to deliver a teasing cross into the heart of the Hamlet area. Jason Stuart managed to get his head to the cross, though the effort was wayward it might well have dropped kindly for Jarrett-Elliott arriving at pace at the far side of the box. Only a vital interception for skipper Jamie Coyle rescued Dulwich, the ball hooked to the safety of a corner. Wright again played the role of provider as he was the lucky recipient of a horrible miskicked shot that found him raiding down the wing, Coyle again the saviour as he hooked the ball away at the last with Sodje hovering. From the corner, the ball reached Asa Hall, another of the Blue Boys from St Andrews and a one-time England Youth International, loitering outside the area, the defender's penetrating run deserving of a reward but a cross cum shot was comfortably plucked out of the air by Overland.

Having played provider without success the rampant Wright took it upon himself to launch a last Ashford attack before half-time beckoned. Snatching the ball from Turley he set his radar on goal, hitting a forceful drive on the march that Overland got down smartly to parry but Sodje was loitering to pick up the scraps and with the Hamlet defence in abeyance, took the opportunity to smash the ball high into the net of the prostrate Overland.

Perhaps the goal provided the focus Hamlet needed for before a minute had elapsed they were back on level terms as the electric Scannell took it upon himself to slice open the defence, his focus in stark contrast to the early tentative play of the Hamlet. Collecting the ball on the right wing, slipped up a gear, cut back inside, drifting past defenders as if they were statues before hammering a low, incisive strike into the bottom near corner of Whincup's net.

Demi-temps, égalitié. Turley did not reappear for the second half, instead the young Frenchman, Plumain, took his stead, coming close to announcing his arrival with a goal within 60 seconds of the restart. A half-hearted clearance was headed back by Plumain towards Morris lingering on the fringes of the area, the forward flicking the ball into the path of the defender who had continued his run. Whincup, alert to the danger, charged from his line to smother the ball bravely at the feet of Plumain.

Three minutes later and Dulwich's rearguard was spectacularly breached, as pushing up, they lost sight of the diminutive Stuart, the Ashford number 9 turning on the gas as he chasing a slide rule pass. Overland came from his line but a cheeky chip from Stuart left him stranded and he could only watch as Stuart motored on to nod the ball in the now unguarded net.

A Plumain free kick swept across the six yard box to be met by the head of Coyle at the back of the box but a firm downward failed to trouble Whincup. Mugging the last man Plumain, a man on a mission, chased the ball down only for Whincup to rush out battering Hamlet man to the ground and ball away in the same instant. Still Hamlet should have capitalised for the ball ran to Bremner but a moment's indecision and an off-key strike saw the ball skid across goal as Whincup struggled to regain his line. Morris might have rescued the situation but an acute angle and a defender ahead betwixt ball and goal defeated him.

A series of corners followed but without reward and Hamlet were almost punished as the Nuts'n'Bolts broke swiftly. Only the commitment of Scannell denied Ashford the chance, but as he cut out the run of Sodje he was bundled to the ground, his bravery ending his match, perhaps his season, as the stretcher was called for and Scannell left the field to much deserved accolades with a torn hamstring. On in his place came Shawn Beveney.

Almost an hour had passed. Morris slammed a half-volley into the hoardings from distance. Manager and Supporters' Player of the Season Lewis Tozer made way for Mazin Ahmad as Burnett pushed the all-out attack but in the white-heat of battle, Hamlet showed the brittleness and indecision that has cost them dearly in the promotion chase. A flurry of cards greeted Ashford challenges, referee Mr Hatzidakis a breath of fresh air admonishing players not for the so-called "technical offences", looking at him in a funny way, etc but instead dispensing cautions for foul play! Sodje had already gone in the book two minutes into the half following through to leave Tozer sprawled on the turf and he was joined by Graham Porter who foul granted Kenny Beaney the chance to reprise earlier free kicks but instead proved a comfortable gather for the goalkeeper. Tom Adlington was next to incur the wrath of the man in black as he crudely attempted to cut out Plumain plundering down the left. Plumain was quickly back on defensive duties, his harrying doing enough to ensure Sodje's final strike did little to trouble Overland. However the Dulwich were again in absentia as Wright capped a storming performance pillaging a deserved third goal for the Nuts'n'Bolts after 77 minutes, rattling the ball home after a weak clearance had dropped at his feet.

With 7 minutes remaining Morris went close to reducing the arrears as a deep cross picked him in far reaches of the six yard box, a strike rifled wide of the back upright. Filled to the brim with attacking vigour, Plumain repeated the trick, hammering an angled drive into the side netting three minutes later. If Ashford felt left out, Tom Adlington too was to join the side netting club as time drifted away following a razor-sharp run at the Dulwich right flank.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, the game spun on its head as Morris showed the goalscoring prowess that had been absent since he first pulled on the Pink and Blue. 88 minutes and as a cross in dropped to him he pulled the trigger and hammered an unstoppable strike through the powerless Whincup. Like a young bull after the heifer, Morris was now chasing anything that moved. Ashford were nervous. 90 minutes came, the ball reached Morris and once more the gun was loaded and result was a killer, the ball driven like a bullet into the back of the net with Whincup gasping for the air like beached flounder. Desperate to preserve a point the irate custodian hammered the ball high into the stands in an attempt to delay the restart.

As if by magic, a season that was dead and buried, mere minutes earlier had seen the life support switched back. Two minutes into stoppage and a lifebelt was thrown towards the drowning man as an excellent cross in from the left was met with a stonking volley from Beveney but Whincup snatched it away, acrobatically diving to his left to batter away the goalbound shot. Nurse, the screens please.

DHFC: Simon Overland; Jason Turley (Nicolas Plumain HT); Gavin Dayes ; Justyn Roberts; Jamie Coyle (Capt.); Lewis Tozer (Mazin Ahmad 67); Daniel Morris; Kenny Beaney; Leigh Bremner; Damien Scannell (Shawn Beveney 57); Serge Musungu

Substitutes not used: Phil Williams; Theo Fairweather-Johnson

Cautions: Nicolas Plumain

ATFC: Jake Whincup; Tom Adlington; Simon Glover (Capt); Asa Hall; Graham Porter; Steve Rowles (Marc Cumberbatch 61); Nick Wright; Gary Clarke; Jason Stuart (George Fenwick 70); Steve Sodje; Kennickson Jarrett-Elliott (Ian Ross 90+1)

Substitutes not used: Ryan Andrews; Joe Hitchings

Cautions: Steve Sodje, Graham Porter, Tom Adlington, Marc Cumberbatch

Attendance: 280

Officials:

Referee: Mr Constantine Hatzidakis (Eltham)

Assistant Referees: Mr Chris Phillips (Carshalton Beeches) & Mr Arif Khalfe (Lambeth North)

Goalscoring:

0-1 ATFC: Steve Sodje 44^th minute

1-1 DHFC Damien Scannell 45^th minute

1-2 ATFC: Jason Stuart 49^th minute

1-3 ATFC: Nick Wright 77^th minute

2-3 DHFC: Daniel Morris 88^th minute

3-3 DHFC: Daniel Morris 90^th minute