Dulwich Hamlet 3 Three Bridges 0

The FA Cup – Preliminary Round

Sunday 3rd September 2006

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Teams:

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

Subs not used: Phil Williams; Daniel Nwanze

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

Subs not used: Marlon Maxwell; Brett Lovett

Attendance: 244

Officials:

Referee: Mr David Belbin

Assistant Referees: Mr S Woodison & Mr J Cushen

Goal Scoring:

1-0: DHFC: Chris Dickson 21st minute

2-0: DHFC: Luke Cornwall 69th minute

3-0: DHFC: Jamie Coyle 86th minute

Dulwich Hamlet 2 Croydon Athletic 2

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Monday 28^th August 2006

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Teams:

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

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

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

Subs not used: Chris Malik; Danny Lombardo

Attendance: 305

Officials:

Referee: Mr Lee Collins

Assistant Referees: Mr Phil Stevens & Mr Peter Georgiou

Goal Scoring:

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

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

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

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

Horsham YMCA 0 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 26^th August 2006

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unused subs: Ohran Stewart; Danny Moore

Attendance: 153

Officials:

Referee: Mr Ben Knight

Assistant Referees: Mr Anthony Foster & Mr Stephen Thorne

Goal Scoring:

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

Dover Athletic 3 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Tuesday 22nd August 2006

Hamlet had the moves, Dover the punch and in the final reckoning that was the deciding factor for the Division’s heavyweights, tipped by all but the most committed of opposition supporters to be the ones lifting the title come season’s end. For the Hamlet it was déjà vu, as with Corinthian-Casuals there were times when they played the opposition off the park, weaving intricate patterns across the turf but without the killer touches that might have sealed a morale boosting upset victory.
The early exchanges set the tome for the match, Kenny Beaney letting rip with a piledriver from distance but well clear of the mark, before Tommy Tyne was mightily unlucky not to find the net after breaking free only for a last ditch challenge from Jamie Coyle to send the ball lopping ion slow motion fractionally over the crossbar with Jamie Pullen powerless. Dover’s counter attacking proved potent and Dulwich were fortunate no one was on hand to provide the final touch after Bradley Spice whipped an enticing ball across the penalty area.
A disputable free kick close to the goal line as Bryon Walker tangled with David Moore and the chance was there for Athletic to pounce. In came the free kick from skipper Lee Spiller and with Hamlet defence more at sea than a cross channel ferry defender Matt Bourne was on hand to accept the gift, diving headlong to nod the home from close range. Infused with the vim of scoring, Dover upped the pace. A neat move ended with a shot on target from John Keister though with little power or direction to trouble Pullen, but then having lost the ball in attack Dulwich found themselves being sliced open by the pace of a rampant Spice, a headlong charge halted open by the most cynical of challenges from Dan Nwanze, the rare glint of steel in Dulwich’s silky eleven. Some officials might have been less compassionate with their cards but Mr Brooks showed mercy in brandishing just a yellow.
Half-an-hour in and Dulwich were within a whisker of levelling the contest. A corner, up went Jamie Coyle, defenders clinging to him like limpets, the ball dropping at the feet of Sol Pinnock, who took a split second to tee up the ball but a vicious shot curled agonisingly wide of the top corner of the net. As if in sympathy, Dover’s Danny Chapman managed to miss a gilt edged chances within moments as he met Walker’s low cross from the left, only to lamp the ball high over the stand with the goal at his mercy. Pinnock was again to be frustrated as the long ball attack made a rare appearance in Dulwich’s new repertoire, Chris Dickson winning a header to set up the teenage rampage, a last second intervention taking the striker’s low drive a fraction wide of the upright. The corner too deep but Pinnock was alert at the back, providing the redelivery for Coyle to get in a header on goal but denied by Glen Knight’s alert save.
Failure to convert their chances was to prove costly for the Hamlet as they were caught cold for a second with half time drawing closer. A poor corner went straight to Lee Spiller, who provided the spark as Dulwich found themselves tore asunder, Spice proving too hot for the pursuing Nicolas Plumain and delivering the perfect ball across goal for Tyne to finish with rapier-like precision.
Rallying, the Hamlet were twice denied by Knight, redeeming himself, pawing Coyle’s volley away with his fingertips after the keeper had failed to collect a corner. In stoppage time, Dulwich’s most incisive move of the half ended in disappointment. Instigated by a crunching Nwanze tackle, the ball flowing on the feet of Dickson as he drove across the edge of the area, interchanging with Pinnock, a smart strike turned behind by Knight. Still the siren call were there and deep in stoppage time, Dover were convinced they had grabbed a third as James Rogers’ corner caused confusion in the Hamlet six yard box, Tyne poking the ball towards goal but in the scramble it was unclear whether the ball crossed the line, a consultation between referee and assistant confirming it had not.
Two minutes into the second half and Dulwich threw themselves a lifeline, David Moore released on the right to pull the ball into the box where Dickson set up the ball for Pinnock to incisively sweep the ball into the bottom corner of the net. This should have been the cockspur for a Hamlet revival as the opening quarter of the second half were stage-managed by the Hamlet, punctuated only by Spiller’s long range free kick dealt with comfortably by Pullen. Somehow though the second goal would not come. Plumain’s powerful strike always curling wide failed to trouble Knight but the home custodian was called into more serious action when Dickson juggled the ball through a host of defenders only for Knight to batter away his final shot. A long ball missed by Craig Cloke gave Dickson the chance to atone but in beating Knight to the ball, he failed to find the target as he stabbed the ball past the keeper.
Dover were clearly becoming rattled by the Hamlet’s retaliation, a booking for time wasting administered to Cloke indicative of this. But then a comical goal conceding in farcical manner gave the hosts vital breathing space. A Dulwich corner found Jamie Cheeseman in a great scoring position but an excruciating air shot allowing Dover to launch a rapid counter, though the danger seemed negligible when Plumain outpaced Walker to knock the ball back to Pullen. Then to the horror of the Hamlet, he slipped in trying to return the ball to Plumain passing the ball back to the lurking Walker. Not one to look this gift horse in the mouth, the Dover player kept his composure to round the prostrate Pullen and restore his side’s two goal cushion.
Dickson went close to a second when a neat move on the edge of the area saw Dickson swivel but shoot wide and Cheeseman failed to get a decent connection on Luke Cornwall’s delivery. However the case for muscular football was nigh well proven, the case all but closed in stoppage time when Walker failed to take a golden opportunity for number four as, unmarked, he flung himself at James Dryden’s tantalising cross from the left wing. For Dulwich, the footballing evangelism will prevail but to the silk a touch of steel needs to be added if the golden vision of promotion is to be realised.

DAFC: Glen Knight; John Keister; James Rogers (Tony Browne; 61); Matt Bourne; Craig Cloke; Craig Wilkins; Danny Chapman; Lee Spiller (Capt); Tommy Tyne (Shane Hamshare; 86); Bradley Spice (Jimmy Dryden; 62); Byron Walker
Subs not used: Nick Humphrey; Darren Smith

DHFC: Hamlet: James Pullen; Jason Turley; Nicolas Plumain; Daniel Nwanze; Jamie Coyle (Capt); Lewis Tozer; David Moore (Danny Moore; 77); Kenny Beaney; Sol Pinnock (Luke Cornwall; 80); Chris Dickson; Phil Williams (Jamie Cheeseman; 66)
Unused subs: Ohran Stewart; Carlton Murray-Price

Attendance: 802

Officials:
Referee: Mr C S Brooks
Assistant Referees: Mr G S Croft & Mr D Spain

Goal Scoring:
1-0: DAFC: Matt Bourne 23rd minute
2-0: DAFC: Tommy Tyne 38th minute
2-1: DHFC: Sol Pinnock 47th minute
3-1: DAFC Byron Walker 76th minute

Dulwich Hamlet 2 Corinthian-Casuals 2

Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Saturday 19th August 2006

A comfortable lead let slip from their grasp at the hands of a side allegedly destined for the basement and the trapdoor into oblivion. Welcome to the new season at Champion Hill where the terraces resemble reruns of Dad’s Army, the Private Frasers, “We're doomed, I say. Doomed”, competing with the Corporal Joneses, “Don't Panic Mr Burnett, don't panic!” Already some naysayers are sounding the death knells for Hamlet’s hopes of promotion with a mere 41 games left. Then again expectations were high, amateur Corinthian-Casuals expected to be steamrolled as a gentle precursor to massive midweek trip to title favourites Dover. All was going to plan, a brace of goals for the goal machine Chris Dickson, the odd scare but dealt with; then the visitors decided to tear up the script as Andre McCollin bagged a brace of his own within three minutes and might have won the game for his team had his finishing been more accurate.

The seasons alter, the summer’s muggy damp presaging dank autumn but upon the newly refurbished Champion Hill turf, a carpet where beauteous football can be played thoughts of the long, hard months ahead were put to bed as the two combatants swept the ball around with gay abandon. The whip hand lay with the Hamlet but already the warning signs were there as McConnell and his diminutive strike partner, the nippy Jamie Byatt threatened to break through the rearguard as Dulwich proved vulnerable to lightning counter-attacks.

On the quarter hour, Dickson outmuscled his marker to set up Carlton Murray-Price, a well-struck effort from the edge of the area too close to keeper Colin Harris and comfortably pouched. From the feet of Dickson, three minutes later came a master class in the art of finishing, David Moore’s sliderule pass into the path of the rampaging striker. Too fast for his pursuers, Dickson ran on to smoothly slot the ball into the near corner of the net as Harris vainly tried to narrow the angle.

“C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre”, the passes following like fine wine, the fans drunk on the beauty of a passing game so long absent from the Hill but in the heady atmosphere of this connoisseurs’ football, the thrill of goals was missing. An intricately worked free kick gave Kenny Beaney a shooting chance from a tight angle, Harris agile to batter the ball behind for a corner. From this the ball pinged its way to Murray-Price a pirouette on the ball setting his marker adrift, but a cruel deflection sent his close range strike lopping over the crossbar. For the Casuals a deep left wing cross was met with a thumping header at the back stick, James Pullen well placed to palm the ball behind. Then Dulwich were breaking out, Dickson’s impudent back heel setting up Beaney to drive a cross low into the six yard box where Williams awaited only for a contorting defender to somehow flick the ball away with his head.

Touché came the Casuals response as Byatt’s pace saw Pullen’s goal open up in front of him but a rash shot on the run failed to test the keeper as the side netting rippled. Back came the Hamlet, Jason Turley providing an overlap on the right, his cross nodded weakly out to Dickson but from the edge of the area, he snatched at the chance sending the ball sailing harmlessly over the bar. Moore chanced his arm from distance, a deflection failing to trouble Harris but from the boot of McCollin came a silent warning as on the stroke of half time, he made space for himself and let fly with a bullet of an effort that had Pullen pulling out all the stops to batter it away.

Four minutes after the restart the Hamlet gained themselves a modicum of security with a second goal as Dickson doubled the lead with a carbon copy of the opener. This time the subtle pass came from the feet of Williams, Dickson kick-starting the motor as he slipped fluently into his rhythmic stride, inexorably bound goal and a sweet blockbuster of a finish. Surely the victory would now be assured even though Dickson would be denied a much merited hat trick, first when Moore’s chip into the six yard box was headed out to him, a stinging volley acrobatically tipped on to the crossbar, substitute Jamie Cheeseman beaten to the rebound. Another athletic Dickson run agonisingly ended with the side netting billowing as Harris did just enough to make the angle too acute. Sandwiched between these chances, Williams struck a venous shot from distance wide of the mark.

Not that the Casuals had retired from the scene, far from it. The electric Byatt caught the Hamlet defence in deep snooze, rounding Pullen and only denied a goal by the intervention of skipper Jamie Coyle slipping back to put the ball behind. Two minutes later and Byatt repeated the trick; this time the Hamlet’s saviour was Nicolas Plumain echoing his captain’s heroics. The somnambulant Dulwich defence had not heeded these alarm call when McCollin came calling to reduce the arrears soon after. 74 minutes on the clock, in snuck the big striker and Pullen found himself beaten for the first time. Three minutes later and McCollin was there again, catching the defence napping once more from a position of safety, Hamlet now found themselves staring down the barrel of an embarrassing defeat.

In redemption of defence lapses, Coyle came close to restoring Dulwich’s lead with a powerful header from a corner but McCollin could, nay should, have laid claim to the match ball as he punched a hole in the Hamlet rearguard, only to blaze wildly wide of the goal as Pullen flung himself at his feet. Try as they might Hamlet could not recover the lost points, a shot out of nothing from Moore comfortably held by a flying Harris, the keeper also reacting acrobatically to tip over an effort from Cheeseman as a late, late free kick caused pandemonium in the Casuals’ box.

At the final whistle, delighted, the Casuals danced a jig of joy more in tune with cup winners than point sharers while disconsolate Dulwich trooped off to a post-mortem. For the pensive Wayne Burnett, Herculean tasks await. Already he has cleaned out the stables of Augeus, populated them with young colts. The golden apples of Hesperides glinting in the promised land of the premier, but other tasks await before he and his charges get there, not least to inject a spine of steel to complement the sleek and silky football.

DHFC; James Pullen; Jason Turley; Nicolas Plumain; Daniel Nwanze (Ohran Stewart 75); Jamie Coyle (Capt); Lewis Tozer; David Moore; Kenny Beaney; Carlton Murray-Price (Jamie Cheeseman 59); Chris Dickson; Phil Williams (Danny Moore 67)

Subs not used: Sol Pinnock; Billy Warner

Attendance: 256

Dulwich Hamlet 3 Carshalton Athletic 1

Pre-Season Friendly

Monday 14th August 2006

The dogfight for promotion begins afresh this Saturday and in the light of this exhilarating match, Wayne Burnett’s ebullient prediction that his youthful charges will be challenging the moneyed likes of Dover and Met Police come the final reckoning may not be too far wide of the mark. Despite going behind to a breathtaking individual goal within mere seconds of the kick-off, courtesy of the Robins’ star player on the night, youthful winger Mark Marshall, Hamlet girded their loins to fight back and claim victory with Jean-Serge Musungu levelling from the penalty spot before an own goal added to a sublime piece of finishing from substitute Sol Pinnock wrapped up a comprehensive triumph.

Though less than a week remained before the season opener at home to Corinthian-Casuals, there was still time for a new face and a familiar one to stake their claim to a place in that starting line-up. After a turbulent summer of his own, there was a welcome return for the goal machine, Chris Dickson to lead the attack, a little ruing-rusty but a regular threat until cramp forced him off on the hour mark. Between the stick, the management had opted for experience over youth as James Pullen took over the gloves from custodial prodigy Chris Lewington, whose day is yet to come.

Barely had the shrill blast of the referee’s whistle dying in the still night air than the Robins’ found themselves with a goal to celebrate. A Hamlet attack from the kick-off broke down and the ball made its way out to the left wing where tricky tyro winger Marshall was waiting. A graduate of the Athletic youth team, the swift winger attacked Dulwich’s right flank at pace, the coolest of drag backs leaving Jason Turley in a heap on the floor, then whilst all around expected a cross into the middle from the tightest of angles a wickedly curling strike beyond the reach of Pullen and into the far corner of the net.

Refusing to be bowed by this early setback Hamlet instead drew strength from adversity and 11 minutes later had an equaliser as Turley darted in behind the defence as they dithered and found himself upended by an old colleague, Carshalton keeper Paul Seuke. From the spot Musungu put the lie to Dulwich’s penalty problems of yore with a finely executed effort sending Seuke the wrong way as he slotted the ball home.

Were it not for the frame of the goal rescuing a beleaguered Robins’ defence, the Hamlet might have bid goodnight to their guests before the break. Four minutes after the penalty, Dickson’s determination set up Kenny Beaney to drive a ball across the edge of the area, Phil Williams’ first time strike cannoning back off the foot of the upright with Seuke statuesque. When Musungu latched on to a precision pass to chance his arm with a shot from the acutest of angles it was the crossbar’s turn to play saviour.

Sweeping forward with the brio of men inspired, Dulwich had Carshalton hanging on grimly to egality, indebted to Seuke for twice denying the rampaging Musungu, first with a fingertip low save after the Hamlet forward had capitalised on David Moore’s threaded pass, then standing up well to block a fierce drive after Musungu had escaped down the left wing much to the opprobrium of defenders who thought him offside.

Like children on Christmas Eve, the Hamlet faithful awaited the second half in anticipation of something special; they were not to be disappointed. Two minutes in and Dulwich deservedly grabbed the lead as Musungu broke free to knock the ball past Seuke, defender David Graves providing the final touch to turn the ball over the line. This was the cue for Dulwich to stamp their dominance on the game, something they maintained despite a number of changes of personnel as the game went on. A brace of substitutes linked up as Seuke denied Luke Cornwall, saving with his feet after the striker had been fed by Carlton Murray-Price. A late rally from the Robins’ as they rose from their sonambulance gave Pullen a chance to at last display his skills; a couple of flying saves from a brace of blistering shots on the run from substitute Danny Platel ensuring his net was unruffled again.

In stoppage time, the seal was set on an emphatic victory as a third goal was conjured. A pinpoint cross field pass released Cornwall scampering like a teenager down the left wing, the striker playing provided as he whipped a low ball into the heart of the penalty area where Pinnock was arriving at speed to sweep the ball imperiously home from close range, provoking a wistful look over his shoulder at his former team-mates from Seuke as he turned to pick the ball from his net for a third time.

DHFC: James Pullen; Jason Turley; Nicolas Plumain; Daniel Nwanze; Jamie Coyle; Lewis Tozer; David Moore; Kenny Beaney; Jean-Serge Musungu; Chris Dickson; Phil Williams

Subs used: Sol Pinnock; Matt Dean; Luke Cornwall; Ohran Stewart; Carlton Murray-Price; Jamie Cheeseman; Daniel Jones; Billy Warner; Chris Hurst

CAFC Squad: Paul Seuke, Colin Hartburn, David Graves, John Cartledge, Murphy, Steve Gibson, Mark Hawthorn, Tony Quinton, Mark Marshall, Craig Dundas, Laurent Hamici, Richard O'Conner, Danny Platel, Tom Carter, Howe

Maidenhead United 1 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 12th August 2006

For more than a century Maidenhead’s antiquated, charmingly ramshackle York Road ground has played host to the noble game of football, the River Thames serenely flowing behind its ancient bounds, host to the wealthy Lotus Eaters that laze beside its lapping waters or poot-poot up and down Father Thames in a variety of eccentric aquatic craft. Stark contrast to the epicurean pleasure seekers was the scenario that unfolded but a stone’s throw from the indolent pleasures of a summer’s afternoon of affluent Buckinghamshire for on the once green sward of York Road, two sides were engaged in battle royal as both moved into the final phases of pre-season preparation. Naught but pride may have been a stake, but neither the hosing Magpies nor the visiting Hamlet were prepared to give quarter in a contest either could have won but neither deserved to lose and where the art of goalkeeping was displayed to its full by a teenage tyro and a Portuguese journeyman.

Having impressed in a late cameo role for a Hamlet XI at Burnham, Jamie Cheeseman was given a chance to display his talents from the off but catching the eye as the Hamlet dominated the early exchanges were full-backs Jason Turley and Billy Warner, whose piercing raids down either wing causing the host defence no end of problems. With the midfield ferocious in the tackle, the Magpies had little time to settle on the ball and had it not been for one-time Benfica keeper, Chico Ramos, between the sticks Hamlet might well have raced into an early lead. Ohran Stewart was first to be denied, meeting a ball into the box to crack a flying first time volley goalwards only for Ramos to pull off an equalling mouth-watering save flinging himself left to parry the ball away. This was nothing in comparison to the reaction save on his line he later pulled off to prevent Jean-Serge Musungu putting Hamlet ahead as the Dulwich striker produced a breathtaking overhead kick inside the six yard box that seemed destined to find the net. All the Magpies had to show in reply was wasteful drive from Yashwa Romeo flying high over the terraces when it seemed easily to find the target.

At last after 33 minutes the Hamlet made their dominance tell, though the impressive Ramos was left cursing his luck as Jason Turley blistering shot at the end of determined charge up field took a cruel deflection off a defender, beating the outstretched fingertips of Ramos as he clawed at the air. The upright came to his rescue but momentarily as Stewart reacted with alacrity to bravely fling himself headlong at the rebound and nod the ball into the now unguarded net. Stung into action the Magpies woke from their slumber and but for the bravery of Chris Lewington might have levelled within seconds as Danny Burnell slipped his leash, only for the young Hamlet stopper to smoother his effort. However that was but a momentary reprieve and a minute later Maidenhead had regained parity, Romeo bullying his way through the Dulwich defence and letting rip with a searing low drive that gave Lewington not an iota of a chance as it found its way unerringly to the far corner of the net.

Beaten but not bowed, young Lewington was in no mood to let another past him and before the break would again deny Burnell as the striker once again slipped the ties of his marker. For Dulwich Turley was left frustrated, playing a one-two with David Moore on the corner of the penalty area, latching on to his team-mates cheeky back flick but failing to find the target as his volley bounced wide of Ramos’ far upright.

Hamlet made a number of changes at the break, among them Youth Team goal machine Sol Pinnock, and it took a while before they again found the rhythm that had allowed their midfield to hold sway for so much of that exhilarating first half. This was quickly capitalised on by the Magpies and but for an outstanding display from the impervious Lewington, in supreme form, a nemesis to all, in particular Burnell who seemed cursed not to score as Lewington produced a string of top drawer saves. Best amongst a master class of shot stopping was an matchless effort to batter away a close range piledriver from Romeo, stretching to sweep a low rightwing cross goalwards with the force of a bullet. Running this close in a panoply of custodial prestidigitation was a stunning save to deny Burnell as not once but twice as the striker burst into the area.

Buoyed by this, Dulwich might well have come away victorious as they mounted a late rally to threaten the hosts’ goal in the closing moments. A bullish run from substitute Daniel Jones pierced the Magpies right flank, the striker dragging the ball back into the six yard box where Nicolas Plumain was desperately unlucky to see his close range effort deflected wide. From the resultant corner, Gavin Dayes was left unmarked to meet the ball with his head but a wayward header troubled none but the ball boys who would have to recover the ball from beyond the terraces. Still there was time for Luke Cornwall to seal victory as he beat an offside trap applied rigorously by the home defence, but with only the keeper to beat dragged an angled shot wide.

Team:

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Jason Turley; Billy Warner; Gavin Dayes; Daniel Nwanze; Jamie Coyle; David Moore; Ohran Stewart; Jean-Serge Musungu; Carlton Murray-Price; Jamie Cheeseman

Subs used: Luke Cornwall; Sol Pinnock; Kenny Beaney; Nicolas Plumain; Chris Hurst; Matt Dean; Daniel Jones

Bromley FC 2 Dulwich Hamlet 0
Pre-Season Friendly
Wednesday 9th August 2006

Passing up on an orchestra stall amongst the elite for the Bolshoi’s Cinderella at Covent Garden, your humble scribe found himself settling for pretty much the same at the less palatial Hayes Lane. A flowing, balletic performance from the Hamlet, but despite the elegant chorography of the Dulwich corps, pleasing to the eye, there lingered the question of whether there was a point to all the pirouetting as the hosts closed out an ultimately comfortable victory. Oh for a cutting edge to augment to the Hamlet’s dainty play as for large tracts of the game they matched their Kentish rivals, bolstered by the arrival of one time Crystal Palace chairman, Mark Goldberg, and his wallet in the dugout. In the one place that mattered most though they were frustratingly second best, Hamlet’s tyro custodian Chris, son of the legend, Lewington by far the busier of the evening’s goalkeepers.

If Hamlet had played Cinderella to their hosts in recent encounters, there was little evidence of that in the game’s first flourishes as Hamlet went toe to toe with their ambitious opponents. Penetration though was at a premium, with the Lilywhites’ goal unsullied until late in the half. Meanwhile the hosts’ greatest threat came in the form of Alex Tiesse, whose lightning pace might have contributed to an early lead for the hosts. Rangy one time Dulwich midfielder Peter Adeniyi intercepted a stray pass in the middle of the park and showed exceptional vision to release the pocket rocket, only for Dulwich’s defence to apply the heavy touch as he burst into the area, the eventual shot wide of the upright. Tiesse was again denied soon after as Lewington produced a brave save diving at the striker’s feet, the Hamlet coming within a whisker of punishing Bromley on the break as Luke Cornwall powered past his marker only to send a delicate chip floating over keeper Andy Walker and the crossbar.

Thick and fast the chances came for Bromley, all with the slippery Tiesse in their vanguard. Denied by Lewington again, the ball ran kindly for Nic McDonnell who stayed on his feet but the ball was tucked wide of the gaping goal. Tiesse again struck the target from a difficult angle but Lewington proved to be his nemesis, quickly down to make a smart save at the base of his near post. Finally Walker was called into serious action as half-time drew ever closer, a Dulwich free kick finding skipper Jamie Coyle arriving ghostlike at the back of the six yard box, a powerful header battered behind by the keeper at angle of post and bar. In the final throes both sides found the net only to be denied by offside rulings, Jean-Serge Musungu for the Hamlet and Barry Moore the unfortunate ‘scorers’.

That Bromley’s opening goal three minutes into the second half would be laced with the sting of ill fortune would mean not a jot. For all the fancy footwork and precision passing the deadlock would be broken by that all staple of industrial football, the lumbering centre half applying his bulk to a header at a corner. An attempted defensive clearance mishit, slicing the ball across the face of the six yard box, Tutu Henriques in the role of Executioner as, like a felled redwood, he fell forward to connect first and put the ball away from close range.

Invigorated by the goal, Bromley looked to put the game to bed. Tony Boot, demobbed from Chelmsford barracks in the summer might well have added to the lead but wasted brace of excellent chances in swift succession, first shooting wide from a fine Sam Wood delivery then blazing the ball high into the wilds of feral Bromley when well placed. Unfortunately for the Hamlet, he had recovered his sense of direction by the 63rd minute, when Moore whipped in a teasing cross from the right wing. Alone and untended at the back of the box, a leaping Boot hung in the air to meet the incoming cross and despatch a textbook header beyond a powerless Lewington. Matters might well have reached a nadir had the Lilywhites’ not had a Nic McDonnell headed goal from a corner was ruled illegitimate due to the presence of Henriques straying offside.

Not until the shaggily coiffured Billy Warner came off the bench did the Hamlet start to show the show of attacking prowess needed, Warner letting rip with a cruise missile of a shot, but caused only collateral damage as it zipped the wrong side of the upright. A madcap endgame saw Walker misjudge a bouncing ball, frantically denying Kenny Beaney outside his box, albeit courtesy of the illegal use of his hands. With the seconds ebbing Premiership referee Phil Crossley elected not to inflict an early bath upon the errant keeper, something Hamlet rued as Walker made a comfortable save to keep out the resultant free kick. Perhaps his gestures could have been misconstrued. However Mr Crossley was a little less forgiving as both McDonnell and Kirk Watts were asked to leave the field, albeit without the apparent stigma of a red card, the latter not replaced as Bromley played out the final minutes a man short.

Teams:
BFC: Andy Walker; Mark Corneille, Lee Fieldwick, Donal O'Sullivan, Tutu Henriques; Sam Wood, Peter Adeniyi, Barry Moore, Bobby Bowry, Kirk Watts; Nic McDonnell, Alex Tiessse
Subs: Tony Boot, Adrian Stone, Nathan Simpson, Gary Drewett, Michael Power, Adam Greenway, Sam Wood (GK).

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Nicolas Plumain; Darren Spinks; Jamie Coyle (Captain); Gavin Dayes; Daniel Nwanze; David Moore; Kenny Beaney; Luke Cornwall; Jean-Serge Musungu; Phil Williams
Subs: Carlton Murray-Price; Billy Warner; Wayne Burnett; Ohran Stewart

Officials:
Referee: Mr Phil Crossley
Assistant Referees: Mr T Rawlings & Mr J Lengthorne

Burnham FC 2 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday 8th August 2006

An experimental Dulwich XI failed to avenge one of the Hamlet’s darker nights, going down to a narrow defeat at Southern League Burnham but the final scoreline failed to tell the whole story of game that saw the hosts fail to take advantage of the myriad chances that fell their way over the course of 90 high-octane minutes. With a trip to Bromley scheduled for 24 hours later this contest gave manager Wayne Burnett the opportunity to run the rule over a number of fringe players as well as assessing the likes of Billy Warner and Jason Turley, recently returned from holiday healthily tanned. In addition, much travelled shot stopper Chuck Martini came in between the sticks as the tricky question of who would don the gloves for the coming season took a new twist.
The young Hamlet were given a strong indicator of the task ahead of them as the ebullient Burnham showed strength of purpose with some rumbustuous tackles in the opening exchanges, quick into to the challenge as the Hamlet’s attempt to play a passing game with frequently broken up. Not that the Southern Leaguers were averse to the beautiful game themselves but it took some lax defending on the part of the Hamlet to abet the hosts opening goal on the quarter hour. Caught cold after failing to capitalise on a corner, Dulwich were ripped apart by a flowing move up field as Terry Davies latched on to defensive clearance, feeding Leon Yarnie on the edge of the penalty area. Unselfishly he laid the ball out to Rob Saunders haring into space on the left of the box and a drilled low finish into the bottom of the corner left Martini to pick the ball out of his net.
Daniel Jones had a golden opportunity to bring Dulwich level 8 minutes later, chasing a back pass and unsettling keeper Jamie Jackson whose attempted clearance when straight at the Hamlet striker. Unfortunately Jones failed to take advantage and Jackson redeemed himself flinging himself to his left to batter down Jones’ attempt on goal. A smart save from Martini ensured Burnham did extend their lead, but poor finishing continued to dog the Hamlet front men. The impressive Eniola Oluwa’s pace and control tormented Burnham’s right flank with a storming run, culminating in an inch perfect cross on to the head of Jones but his effort was wildly wide of the mark. Add to that a weak shot from Claudio de Almeida that negated a good build-up, Jones again lashing the ball high and wide and Dulwich were left ruing lost chances as the break drew closer. Still it could have been worse had Burnham not missed chances of their own in the closing minutes, Lee Smith’s shot on the turn curling marginally too far over the bar and Jeff Brown stabbing the ball wide of the post after Martini had denied Yarnie. Still time though for Oluwa to embark on a breathtaking run, parting the Blue and White sea as he wove his way into the penalty area. Oh to have capped such a sinuous run with a goal but defender Paul Brett stuck to him like a leach, a last ditch interception deflecting Oluwa’s ultimate cross cum shot and sending it looping over a relieved Jackson’s crossbar.
A trio of substitutions at the break for the Hamlet, but Burnham continued to hold sway and but for better finishing from goalscorer Saunders, Dulwich might have been staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat. Saunders was particularly culpable when released with only Martini standing between him and goal number two, he dithered allowing the Dulwich defence to swarm all over him and snuff out the danger. Not that Burnham would be denied that second goal, one that was well worth waiting for as a lightning raid saw a deep ball forward nodded on into the path of substitute Ben Swift 20 yards out and he let fly with a steaming pile driver that gave Martini no chance on its unerring flight into the far corner of the net.
Dulwich came close to hitting back through a Warner bullet that skimmed the crossbar as flew goalwards but even with the addition of the manager; it looked like being a blank night until the final few moments as Jamie Cheeseman finally made the breakthrough in controversial circumstances. Apoplectic Burnham defenders were powerless, their claims of offside fell on deaf ears as the Dulwich substitute ran on to a threaded pass to stab the ball pass an irate Jackson, who turned his invective in the direction of an unbending assistant referee. His mood had mellowed soon after as the final whistle left his side victorious.

Teams:

BFC: Jamie Jackson; Lloyd Dennison; Paul Brett; Brian Connor; Manny (?); Lee Smith; Jeff Brown; Robert Saunders; Leon Yarnie; Terry Davies; Daryl Jones

Subs: Ben Swift; Marek Kwiatkowski; Mark Hokan; Ryan Bird; Andy Lunn

DHFC:

1 Chuck Martini
2 Jason Turley 5 Lewis Tozer 15 Justin Hemmings 3 Billy Warner
12 Raymond Morath-Gibbs 9 Matt Dean 8 Fasineh Koroma 11 Eniola Oluwa
10 Daniel Jones 7 Claudio de Almeida

Subs used: 6 Stanley Muguo; 14 Victor Tavares; 17 Jamie Cheeseman; 4 Abiola Adigun; Wayne Burnett

Officials:
Referee: Mr Ashley Hines
Assistant Referees: Mr Ernie Moore & Mr Alex Vickery

Slade Green 2 Dulwich Hamlet 1

Saturday 5th August 2006

Pre-Season Friendly

“Wham bam thank you mam”, exclaimed the Slade as they launched a king-sized spanner in the works of Dulwich’s pre-season preparations courtesy of a stubborn, gritty performance, a large dollop of serendipity and aided and abetted by the Hamlet’s inability to find the net as often as they carved open the chances. Had Hamlet added to Luke Cornwall’s 14th minute goal, this would have been all over before the break but the finishing lacked composure and although the home keeper was kept busy, making some acrobatic saves Dulwich knew in their heart of hearts that more clinical finishing will be needed once the phoney war is over.
Where Kent and London intersect, amid the railway shunting yards and industrial estates, there sits The Small Glen, home of Slade Green though on a pitch burnt umber by the unrelenting sun the only verdant touch was provided by the shirts of the hosts. Ambitious too are Slade, amongst their ranks a cocktail of experience honed in the upper echelons of Kentish Football and drawn together under the management of Adam Heaslewood, who played a key role in Cray Wanderers meteoric rise from the Kent League.
For their part Hamlet were once again able to call on the services of striker Luke Cornwall, an injury preventing his participation since victory at Beckenham. In a 4-4-2 formation the wise head of Cornwall was paired with the youthful enthusiasm of prodigy Carlton Murray-Price, whilst at the back Lewis Tozer and Jamie Coyle started as the centre back pairings for the first time. Still missing was keeper Carl Emberson, young Chris Lewington continuing to deputise.
Perhaps it was the searing sun, perhaps the bone dry pitch but this game took a while getting into its stride. The Hamlet clearly held the upper hand but few and far where the openings until a marvellously worked goal broke the impasse just before the quarter hour mark. A deft through pass into the left channel, the diminutive figure of Chris Hurst in pursuit. A pinpoint deep cross from the angle of the penalty area and dispute plaintiff calls for offside, Cornwall rose majestically at the back post to bullet a header home despite the best efforts of a diving keeper to batter the ball out.
A welcome respite from the heat for the players soon after in bizarre circumstances as a singular pitch invasion took place, not the usual small dog as every purveyor of cheap video compilations, packaged for the Christmas market and to keep Danny Baker employed, knows but one of the human variety as a young child decided his daddy in the Slade Green attack needed some advice on how to breach the Hamlet rearguard. Time for some swift liquid reflection for the combatants as the intruder was enticed back to the sidelines with a soft drink. Refreshed the Hamlet attacked anew and thought they had doubled the lead when Cornwall found the net once again with a head, his delight turning to frustration as a late flag signalled him offside.
Number two might have arrived courtesy of stunning diving header, albeit a defensive one, as home defender flung himself full length in his attempt to cut out a wicked low cross from Nicolas Plumain whizzing down the left wing. Ohran Stewart was left frustrated after a low strike from distance skidded along the dusty surface but lacked the power to trouble the keeper as he got down with time to spare. Best chance of all fell to Hurst as the break ticked ever closer, the winger sneaking in behind the defence but his attempt to chip the keeper was thwarted as a spectacular looking, if over theatrical leap saw the ball tipped over the crossbar.
There was little sign of the impending doom as Dulwich began the second half in confident mood but despite controlling the game there seemed a nagging doubt that a second goal would be hard to come by. Even when the chance did arise, a free kick following a foul on Plumain that almost sparked a full scale bundle, the home keeper was once again at his best to pull off a stunning save from Coyle’s blazing drive round the wall.
The hour mark brought the obligatory mass substitutions as the Hamlet made half-a-dozen changes, among them the welcome return of Daniel Nwanze, whose goals early in the pre-season campaign had contributed to victory at Beckenham. One might have said that the reshuffle contributed to the Hamlet’s concession of the equaliser not long afterwards, though the manner of the mildly freakish lofted effort as Hamlet’s defence stalled at a corner owed as much to Dame Fortune as to the intent of its deliverer, the ball looping high over Lewington as he stretched in vain to prevent the ball dropping behind him into the net.
The lead might well have been restored with mere minutes as Dulwich put together a sweet move ending with a wickedly whipped ball in across the face of goal, Cornwall flinging himself full length to bullet a header home. But once again the assistant referee’s flag proved his nemesis, offside the unpopular verdict.
That decision would become even more painful when lax marking at a corner allowed Slade Green to poach the ultimate winner, the much-travelled Andy Silk, once of Bromley, rising as if spring heeled to bullet a textbook header home with Hamlet markers looking on aghast. Straight from the restart Hamlet hit back with a flowing passage of play that Stewart and Cornwall exchange passes on the edge of the area but ended with the ball clipped over the bar with only the keeper standing between Hamlet and an equaliser. Plumain too had the chance to bring things level as time became increasingly precious, overlapping into the box to latch on to Wayne Burnett’s pass but from six yards out he was thwarted by the figure of keeper smothering the ball at his feet.

DHFC:
Chris Lewington

Nicolas Plumain Jamie Coyle Lewis Tozer Tony Houghton

Chris Hurst Cedric Meeko Ohran Stewart David Moore

Carlton Murray-Price Luke Cornwall

Subs used: Billy Warner; Gavin Dayes; Matt Dean; Kenny Beaney; Wayne Burnett; Daniel Nwanze

Raynes Park Vale 1 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Tuesday 1st August 2006

Pre-Season Friendly

Next stop on the Dulwich Hamlet pre-season tour of suburbia and the outlying districts took in the rather inaptly named Grand Drive, but do not let appearances fool you for one of the great laws of Non-League, or “proper football” as it is known to the aficionados, is that the more ramshackle the surroundings the more hospitable the welcome. Not that hat often extends to the field of play for the hosts have made a habit of upsetting loftier aspirants playing a call on their wilderness ground tucked behind the edifices of suburban Commuterland. Two weeks previous it had been the AFC Wimbledon Football Special pulling into this pre-season branch line prior to the next step on its railroading, express ride back to the lofty peaks once scaled by Wimbledon FC before they decamped to the identikit conurbation of Milton Keynes, replete with its concrete cows. Then they had come within an ace of pricking the fledgling Dons balloon, racing ahead before being pegged back to an honourable draw. Hamlet’s heights would be set higher that. In Wayne’s World, each game is treated the same, victory is victory no matter the opposition, the philosophy handed down.
Hard pitches and hard work had taken its toll and Dulwich were unable to call on the services of Carl Emberson, whose athletic performances between the sticks in previous outings had peeled back the years. Injuries also ruled out midfielder Daniel Nwanze and striker Luke Cornwall, whilst Jason Turley had managed to find a rare window in the football calendar to take a holiday. Among those on show was an old familiar face as Tony Houghton returned at left back in an attempt to reclaim a place in the Dulwich squad.
Snapping at their opponents like young terriers, the tyros of Dulwich could have had this game sealed within mere minutes of the kick-off such were the chances that were created, yet spurned. Two minutes in and the galloping Carlton Murray-Price was sent sprawling in the penalty area as he chased an incisive pass from midfield, his legs slashed from under him by the crudest of slow challenges. Nicolas Plumain took on the responsibilities of penalty taker but though the power was present the ball was always rising as it cannoned to safety off the crossbar. A couple of minutes later and but for a magnificent one-handed save from home keeper Cornwell, changing direction in midair as he flung himself right to batter out a screaming shot from Lee Hynes, letting loose with a cannonball from 25 yards out. The custodian was a little less flustered when dealing with a similar long range effort from Cedric Meeko, the midfielder making room for himself, but his drive cushioning itself in Cornwell’s midriff.
On 18 minutes came the breakthrough, a deserved one for the Hamlet and for livewire striker Murray-Price as his electric pace allowed him to get the better of the defence in a chase for Meeko’s threaded pass and angling the ball home past the keeper.
Chances to add to the slender lead came and went like fleeting dreams. Gavin Dayes rose unchallenged to meet a corner but flicked a header agonisingly wide. Kenny Beaney’s long range effort took a benevolent deflection into a relieved keeper’s arms. A tasty chase from Murray-Price set up the chance for Plumain to atone for his earlier miss from the spot, the ball running to him as defenders converged on the Hamlet striker, but Plumain’s hurried effort was in vain as the ball was lashed high over the goal from a few yards out.
Murray-Price continued to torment the home defence, red boots on fire as he danced past the keeper in the six yard box but from the tightest of angles, his attempt to tuck the ball home was thwarted by a backtracking defender at the post. No such denial for Phil Williams soon after as Lee Hynes snapped the offside trap to canter away down the right wing, his low cross whizzing unchallenged across the face of goal to Williams at the back post only to be drilled wide with the goal at his mercy.
It was only to expected that all these spurned opportunities the hosts would grab one of their own before the break, history teaches us nothing more so. Six minutes remained of the half when Dulwich’s defence were caught cold. The ball was latched on to in the space behind Houghton and with young Chris Lewington, deputising for Emberson in goal, caught in No Man’s Land, an unselfish centre found Poulter who bravely launched himself between two defenders to nod the ball into the unguarded net.
With Dulwich dominant but lacking incision, the first half had been one-way traffic in all but scoreline. The second half would be less so, though Hamlet did at least claim a winner before the hour was up as Murray-Price cemented his claim to start the season, adding a second goal in determined fashion. Running on to a slipped pass into the area, his chance to seem to have evaporated when the keeper rushed from his line to block the first opening but the striker’s instinct kicked in and there was no reprieve for the hosts as Murray-Price stretched a leg to stab the rebound past the prostrate custodian.
Soon after came a raft of changes as five replacements took the field to add to Lewis Tozer who entered the fray in the stead of Gavin Dayes 10 minutes in. Others would later join as a total of eight changes were made in the course of a second half that started to become a bit scrappy particularly in the Hamlet defence which might have been penetrated once again had Raynes Park not baulked at a number of chances that fell their way.
The threat abated though as Dulwich steadied their ship and the lead might have been added as dusk settled over suburbia. Even El Supremo, Wayne Burnett, sporting a severe new tonsure, got in on the act with some whimsical footwork in the heart of the pitch, an elegant chip deserving more than to sail harmlessly over a leaden footed keeper and his crossbar. Add to that a Joel Greaves chance at the end of a flowing move where the dreadlocked striker hooked up with Jean-Serge Musungu to produce a first time snap shot that whistled a fraction too far the wrong side of the upright and victory might have been more comfortable than the scoreline suggested.

DHFC: Chris Lewington; Nicolas Plumain; Jamie Coyle; Gavin Dayes; Tony Houghton; David Moore; Cedric Meeko; Kenny Beaney; Phil Williams; Carlton Murray-Price; Lee Hynes

Subs used: Lewis Tozer; Joel Greaves; Jean-Serge Musungu; Wayne Burnett; Ohran Stewart; Yinka Salaam; Billy Warner; Chris Hurst

Definitely one of the stranger ones of these I have come across

Write Like An Egyptian

Horley Town 1 Dulwich Hamlet 5

Saturday 29th July 2006

Pre-Season Friendly

"Oi'll Give It Foive", seems to the mantra of the Hamlet as Horley Town became the latest side to wilt before a second half Dulwich onslaught that turned a clash made equal as much by the Hamlet’s muddled play as by the hosts’ dogged determination not to let their loftier opponents escape the confines of the New Defence without a few bruises to both pride and body. From the off this was a feisty encounter, an unpleasant undercurrent always bubbling beneath, much more suited to a chilly winter evening’s mid-season tussle for points than a supposed pre-season run out beneath the tree that line the River Mole and mark out the Surrey/Sussex borders. At least the young referee took a pragmatic approach to the biting tackles and snarling challenges around him, cards rare but still brandished, a word of admonishment preferred over the flash of yellow or red, where a more dogmatic official might have sent the offenders to cool their jets on the sidelines.
Cruelly relegated to the Combined Counties Division One through no fault of their own, the chance to show their prowess against opposition from higher echelons was not one to be tossed aside lightly. The Hamlet were soon aware of the challenge that faced them as alert Horley striker, Jason Davy thought he had slipped the leash of Dulwich’s defence, only for a linesman’s flag to halt him in his tracks. However with Dulwich frequently at sixes and sevens as players seemed unsure of their true roles, it was not long before the chance presented itself again and this time there was no offside to spare the Hamlet’s blushes. With the Hamlet rearguard squeezed up almost to the halfway line a precision pass found Daly whizzing away in the acres of space afforded him on the right. Carl Emberson, alert to the attack, tried his utmost to distract the onrushing striker but the wily Daly was hell-bent on completed his mission, nipped pass Emberson as he spread himself at his feet before coolly tapping the ball into the unguarded nets as Dulwich’s defence rushed back in a vain effort to undo the damage of their slack defending.
Daly was again at the centre of attention clattering into the back of Nicolas Plumain as the Dulwich defender waited for a high ball to drop. An unnecessary attempt at revenge from the fallen Plumain as the two tangled on the deck and suddenly players from both sides were at each others throats. When the dust finally settled, the referee singled out Gavin Dayes for the afternoon’s first caution.
As red mist clouded the contest, Dulwich went on became an increasing frustrating search for parity, denied in the most by their own inadequate finishing, though at least the Horley custodian did gain some plaudits, blocking well at the feet of Jean-Serge Musungu and making light work of a well struck drive from the edge of the box by Ohran Stewart. All his heroics could prevent Dulwich at last getting on level terms as half-time drew ever closer. Musungu powered forward from the halfway line with the ball glued to his feet, before slipping the ball wide to Yinka Salaam overlapping down the left wing to hit a good strike on the run but the keeper was down to parry but only across the face of his own goal. With the home defence like statues, Stewart was first to react, slamming the ball home from close range.
To add insult to injury, deserved half-time equality for the hosts became a deficit almost on the whistle as a spot-kick was awarded against them in harsh circumstances, the challenge on Joel Greaves tame, possibly even legitimate, by the standards of those that had been brushed aside before. Not that young Greaves was complaining as he dusted himself down before striking home the penalty to send the Hamlet to the break a goal ahead.
Not that half-time would give them a respite for now they would face a none-too-pleased manager, his words of rebuke mixed in with those of encouragement. Those bon mots had the desired effect as the second half saw Dulwich blow their opponents away in an orgy of attacking football. Substitute Phil Williams set the tinder-dry turf alight once more with a steaming run within seconds of the restart that left claret and blue clad defenders a distant memory as the winger hared into the penalty area, only to overtake the ball as he rounded the keeper and slam the chance into the side netting as his pace threatened to take him into the next county.
As Dulwich dazzled, Horley’s halting raids diminished until they were no more. "All hands to the pump boys", came the rallying call from the Claret and Blue as the New Defence became the All Out Defence. But Hamlet would have to bide their time before the chances were converted into goals. Then, just like grouse on the Yorkshire Moors, a brace was dispatched within a matter of moments. First came from the boot of Carlton Murray-Price, applying the final brush strokes at the end of a well choreographed free-kick routine following a foul on the edge of the box. Laid back the ball was lofted in to the back of the six yard box as the hosts’ rearguard lackadaisically pulled out to where Jamie Coyle was waiting and his expert pull back found the young striker lurking to bury the ball past the exposed goalie. Barely had play restarted than the ball was being picked out of the net once more as David Moore chased after a long punt forward, the most exquisite of chips leaving the keeper rooting to spot as the ball sailed over his head and into the net. At least the keeper could point to one cracking save to prevent Dulwich further extending the lead, reacting instinctively to batter away a fierce attempted clearance from his own player that had own goal screaming from every orifice. Still he would still find himself beaten once again as the game entered its final throes, the relentless Hamlet pressure have long since done for his defence as Murray-Price latched on to the ball to decisively clip the ball home and complete the afternoon’s entertainment.

Starting XI: Carl Emberson; Ohran Stewart; Nicolas Plumain; Yinka Salaam; Jamie Coyle; Gavin Dayes; Chris Hurst; Kenny Beaney; Lee Hynes; Jean-Serge Musungu; Joel Greaves

Subs used: David Moore; Phil Williams; Carlton Murray-Price; Cedric Meeko; Wayne Burnett; Lewis Tozer; Chris Lewington (GK)

Carlton Murray-Price

Phil Williams holds up the ball as Nicolas Plumain provides the overlap

Jean-Serge Musungu

Kenny Beaney

Dulwich players get a brisk talking to as the referee prepares to dish out a booking

dulwich hamlet

Dorking 1 Dulwich Hamlet 5

Saturday 22nd July 2006

Pre-Season Friendly

Against a canopy of the rolling Surrey hills and on a canvas burnt ochre by the fierce summer sun, Dulwich painted pictures of footballing artistry on a bone hard and bumpy pitch, denied refreshment by a drought enforcement order. So parched a sward was the Meadowbank Stadium that when the heavens mercifully opened provide much-longed for moisture each blade of brown grass seemed to stretch skyward to grasp at each raindrop as if it would be the last.
Having held Dulwich’s divisional compatriots Whyteleafe to a deserved 1-1 draw a week early, the Chicks of the Combined Counties League must have been confident of putting a dent in the Hamlet’s pre-season preparations. The early exchanges certainly seemed to bear out this argument. Though Dulwich came close in the opening minutes when Ohran Stewart’s strike from the edge of the penalty area took a wicked deflection, forcing keeper Stuart Baverstock to stretch all of his considerable frame into tipping the looping effort over the bar, the hosts must have been cursing their own failure to grasp the opportunities that came their way, most telling of all when a forward found himself onside with only Emberson to beat. Much to the relief of the Hamlet the Dorking striker’s radar was off as a well-struck low drive was drilled well of Emberson’s right hand post.
Just before the half-hour an intricately worked goal gave Dulwich the lead as David Moore exchanged passes with Yinka Salaam overlapping down the right wing. A neat pull back from Moore found Carlton Murray-Price lurking at the edge of the six yard box to sweep the ball goalwards, a deflection off a defender’s leg providing enough of a diversion to ensure the diving Baverstock could not reach the goalbound effort.
A reshuffle for the Hamlet after half-an-hour as defender Adam Wadmore was rested, Wayne Burnett bringing on Gavin Dayes to line up alongside Jamie Coyle at the heart of defence. This meant a switch for Salaam over to left-back whilst Jason Turley reverted to his traditional position of right back from centre-half.
With ten minutes to go until the break Dulwich put together a sweeping move up field that came within a whisker of giving Murray-Price a second goal. From the middle of the park Moore fed the striker but from ten yards out Murray-Price’s struck a bender that curled excruciatingly wide of the diving Baverstock’s near upright.
As half-time drew ever closer it seemed as if that single goal would be enough to send Dulwich in at the break with their noses in front but then a clumsy challenge by Salaam on the penalty spot gifted the Chicks a chance to grab what would have been a deserved equaliser. Whilst the hosts looked for a hero in green, Hamlet found one of their own as Emberson belied the years, flinging himself full length to batter Craig Duffell's spot kick away at the foot of his left hand post. If this was not bad enough the Chicks then blew another great chance of drawing level as Dulwich’s defence was caught square, only for the chance to go begging as the ball was run over the goal line after the exposed Emberson had been rounded.
To add insult to injury, the first few minutes of the second half put a fatal nail in the coffin of Dorking aspirations as Hamlet sub Phil Williams, with a full tank of petrol in his turbocharged legs; proceed to rip holes in a slow starting home defence. Barely had the first whistle gone and Williams received the ball out wide on the left and to dance through the despairing tackles of a myriad of green-clad defenders before finding himself face to face with Baverstock, the big keeper powerless to prevent the serpentine run of Williams ending in the inevitable goal. Moments later and the shell-shocked Baverstock was picking the ball from his netting once again, treating his defenders to a volley of invectives as they were left for dead as Williams ran on to a through pass from midfield to rocket the ball home.
As the rain eased so the tempo rose and despite the inevitable flurry of substitutions Dulwich kept up the assault on the home goal. Even the boss himself was on the field, Burnett lording it down the right wing as Dulwich created chance after chance. Fellow replacement Jean-Serge Musungu might have grabbed a goal courtesy of a Burnett cross as he bravely flung himself headlong to connect with a hammered cross from the right, only for the ball to ricochet up off the done-dry turf and fractionally over the crossbar. Thick and fast the openings came. Musungu beat the offside trap only to hesitate a moment to long and allow the keeper to block at his feet. Kenny Beaney powered through from midfield to rifle a fierce drive just wide. Joel Greaves too was denied by Baverstock but then atoned as his hard work paved the way for Musungu to make it 4-0, the tenacious youngster beating off a host of near-the-knuckle challenges as he battled into the area, the ball finally running loose to Musungu who gleefully hammered the ball home from 12 yards out.
A cracking volley by Dean Milton from a half-cleared corner that dropped over the outstretched fingertips of leaping Chris Lewington, on in place of Emberson between the sticks, but this merely served to inflame the Hamlet and it would not be long before the four goal deficit was restored courtesy of Moore. Latching on to the finest of through passes from Burnett, Moore iced the cake as nonchalantly he curled the ball beyond the advancing custodian. With the game already in stoppage time, one might have expected the Hamlet to have eased off the pedal and give their shattered hosts a modicum of respite but the new order at Champion Hill does not subscribe to that dogma. Like a mastiff snapping at a bull, Burnett ripped time and again at the home defence in what must have seemed an interminable few minutes of stoppage time, lashing crosses like exocets across the face of goal, though the pace and ferocity would have tested the bravest of strikers to apply the finishing touch. At last the final whistle brought much-anticipated relief to the roasted Chicks. For Dulwich another step in the phoney war, the Dorkings provide the mocks; the real examination is still a month away.

Team: Carl Emberson: Yinka Salaam: Adam Wadmore: Jamie Coyle: Jason Turley: Cedric Meeko: David Moore: Ohran Stewart: Carlton Murray-Price: Lee Hynes: Theo Fairweather-Johnson
Subs used: Kenny Beaney, Phil Williams, Matt Deane, Gavin Dayes, Jean-Serge Musungu, Joel Greaves, Wayne Burnett, Chris Lewington (GK)

Carl Emberson saves Dorking's spot kick

Martin promised the hosts a BIG crowd!