Oxhey Jets 1 Dulwich Hamlet 5

Oxhey Jets 1 Dulwich Hamlet 5
The FA Cup Sponsored by Eon First Qualifying Round
Saturday 13th September 2008

Dulwich Hamlet’s ball will be jangling in the FA’s famous velvet bag come Monday lunchtime after Oxhey Jets were shot down in balls of flame, made to look like rickety biplanes by the Red Arrows of the Hamlet. Time and again a flashing streak ripped through to tuck home another goal, Laurent Hamici continuing to mine his rich vein of form with a hat trick to take his season tally to seven from eight games. Also getting in the goalscoring was Daryl Plummer who celebrated his return to first team action after his frustrating injury layoff with a delightful double, only the woodwork preventing him going mano-a-mano with Hamici for the matchball.
For the second round in succession Hamlet’s opposition came from the South Midlands Spartan League but the contrast could not have been greater, Broxbourne’s industrial football replaced by South Oxhey’s industrial landscape, power lines almost draping to the pitch along the touchline and behind the goal, the express line into Euston rattling away in a cutting below but amongst the sights and sounds of urban Britain, horses grazing leisurely behind the goal amidst Hertfordshire’s wooded arbours. Upon the field too the true amateurs of the Jets stuck to the ethos of the beautiful game, perhaps to their detriment. Barely an expletive passed their lips beyond a running tiff ‘twixt garrulous goalie Kevin Paul and his melancholy teammate, Kevin “Moaner” Ayres, five centuries of appearances in Oxhey blue behind him. Bad fouls were in abeyance, bar a winch-inducting scything down of Steve May by Lee Grace, graceless indeed.
Though injury woes remain, manager Craig Edwards almost had the luxury of naming an unchanged team from that that had seen of the challenge of the Casuals in midweek. Ryan Bernard returned to replace the injured Cedric Ngakam as he had done at half time in that victory whilst Junior Kaffo made way for Daryl Plummer returning to the starting line for the first time since Merstham. Also making a welcome return from the physio's table, albeit as a substitute was Alex Fiddes. Frustratingly for the Jets the injury gremlins had been at work with 9 goal striker Tim O’Mara ruled out and the mantle of scorer passed to the lightning fast Jamie Arthur, a constant threat with the pace but lacking in the precision that might have punished defensive woolgathering.
The seasons turn, late summer sun toasted the Boundary Stadium, late blossoming Hamlet fruitful in Hertfordshire fields. A blue wall faced them; Dulwich dismantled it brick by brick. Early Hamlet threats beaten away but in the tenth minute, an armour piercing bullet from the boot of Plummer stripped away the first veneer of resistance. Hamici sent tumbling, a Gallic filling for a Hertfordshire sandwich, as a brace of defenders baulked him at the corner of the penalty area. Left hand down a bit Mr Phillips, as the man in black waved aside protests, the ball running to Benson Paka who slipped the ball inside to Plummer, a measured shot from 18 yards leaving Paul a frozen bystander as it rattled in via the far upright.
Still stunned the Jets defenders found themselves grounded as a Scott Simpson cross from the right was met by a neatly flicked header from Hamici, only to skim wide of the far stick.
Arthur raided for the Jets but a heavy mantle lay upon him and he clearly missed his strike partner, getting into position to supply telling crosses only to consistently overhit his deliveries.
On 27 minutes Paul Turner had the ball in the Hamlet net, though a flag raised some time previous had long seen the Dulwich defence ease off. As if to salt the wound, barely 60 seconds had elapsed when Dulwich punished lackadaisical defending, Hamici sprinting away and in attempting to round the diving Paul having his legs taken away from under him. The Jets custodian might have seen red but Mr Phillips was kind, only a yellow for the culprit, but Hamici was less charitable dispatched a well struck spot kick heartily hammered high to the ‘keeper’s left shoulder to double the lead.
Plummer was a gnat’s wing away from adding a third after 35 minutes when his scooped shot from the edge of the penalty area left Paul standing as it lopped past his right hand, the custodian looking back expecting to see the ball once more nestling in the net but relieved to see it cannon back off the face of the upright.
In command at the break the Dulwich express thundered up a gear as the second half got underway, Oxhey’s hopes of a post-interval revival dealt a killer blow within three minutes of the restart. The home defence was left in limbo as Gary Noel ran on to a pass down the left, drawing the ‘keeper from his goal before magnanimously squaring for Hamici. The silent assassin struck once more as his marker was skipped past and with Paul in No Man’s Land; it was a simple task for the Hamlet hitman to drill the ball into the empty net.
It might have been throwing a drowning man a straw but 6 minutes later, an error from Jamie Lunan helped the Jets to register on the scoreboard. The Hamlet number one came fro a corner, lost the ball in flight and amidst a flurry of boots and bodies Arthur poked the ball home. For a moment blue hearts pumped a little faster as they looked to reduce the arrears further. Substitute Lee Armitt, a hat trick hero in midweek for the reserves, justified his promotion as he replaced Adam Lowton and proceeded to make a series of incisive runs at the Hamlet defence who found themselves working a little harder as the buzzing youngster kept up a continuous assault. Only a magnificent covering tackle from Billy Chattaway denied him a shot on goal after one headlong charge in from the wing into the penalty area.
However the lifebelt soon slipped from the Jets as the waters of the Hamlet finally engulfed them. The industrious Noel was unlucky not to make it four after he battled against the odds to fire a shot in on goal, somehow hooked off the line by a determined Ian Bywater, finding an extra spurt to clear the ball after Paul had been beaten. The respite was brief and three minutes later the sluggish Jets defence was caught napping as Plummer hit the gas to accelerate away down the right, luring Paul into committing himself before nipping round and slipping the ball into the net.
Substitute Peter Martin almost had an instant impact after replacing May, waltzing away from tackle after tackle with impish glee before an audacious attempt to chip Paul from 25 yards glided just over the crossbar. But, right at the death, the rout was completed and so was Hamici’s hat trick. Noel waited in the middle but the goal was Hamici’s only quarry. His body language spoke it. Shoulders back, a soupçon of Gallic arrogance, quicksilver in his boots and fire in his eyes, the tricky striker collected a pinpoint pass from Junior Kaffo. Dancing and darting as defenders fell before him, Hamici toyed with Paul as a cat might torment a mouse, drawing the Jets custodian before hammering the ball into the net to seal overwhelming victory.

Teams:
OJFC: Kevin Paul, Ian Bywater, Lee Grace, Marc Ayres, Chris Harding, Wayne Gladdy, Chris Ingham, Paul Turner (Karl Bull 74, Nathan Roberts, Adam Lowton (Lee Armitt 65), Jamie Arthur
Substitutes not used: Carl Wigg, Michael Wyatt, David Maynard, Colin Jenkins, Owen Deamer

DHFC: Jamie Lunan, Steve May (Peter Martin 85), Billy Chattaway, Benson Paka, Ryan Bernard (Capt), Marc Cumberbatch, Daryl Plummer, Charlie Howard (Alex Fiddes 77), Laurent Hamici, Gary Noel, Scott Simpson (Junior Kaffo 77)
Substitutes not used: Tyran James, Sheikh Ceesay

Goalscoring:
1-0 DHFC Daryl Plummer 10th minute
2-0 DHFC Laurent Hamici (penalty) 29th minute
3-0 DHFC Laurent Hamici 48th minute
3-1 OJFC Jamie Arthur 54th minute
4-1 DHFC Daryl Plummer 70th minute
5-1 DHFC Laurent Hamici 90th minute

Officials:
Referee: Mr C Phillips (Carshalton)
Assistant Referees: Mr E Walker (Colliers Wood) & Mr W Ingram (New Malden)

Attendance: 148

Hampton and Richmond Borough Youth 5 Dulwich Hamlet Youth 0

Hampton and Richmond Borough Youth 5 Dulwich Hamlet Youth 0
The FA Youth Cup – Sponsored by Eon – Preliminary Round
Wednesday 10th September 2008

Having rattled home seven goals in their opening Kent Youth League game at the weekend, Tom Pratt leading the way with a hat trick in that demolition of Dartford (North), the boot was firmly switched to the other foot as the young Beavers blitzed the Hamlet with a fistful of goals of their own. Truth be told this scoreline did not reflect the Dulwich’s performance, battling and feisty but punctuated with too many errors in key areas, but did not give the lie to a Hampton side that created the bulk of the chances and punished even the tiniest mistake with unerring efficiency. Me thought I was in Suburbia not Germany!
As early autumn leaffall fluttered around them The Beavers had the accelerator on early, right winger Tom Kanek a constant threat and had Jack Whitbey larruped the ball wide and high, his early penetration on the flank might have been rewarded with a goal. Dulwich hit back with Louis Sprusen’s ball flicked on by Dean Grant into the path of the overlapping Metin Ramadan, a sweet low drive just wide of ‘keeper Joe Talbot’s near upright. Not long after Sprusen fed Ruen DeSilva overlapping down the left, a neat chipped cross into the near post flicked cunningly across the face of goal by Pratt’s head.
Free in the box Spencer Wakeman wasted a golden opportunity as he nodded Kanek’s cross into the arms of the waiting Danny Baldwinson before Josh Guichard was picked out of three red shirts unguarded on the edge of the area only dwell on the opportunity too long and drive his effort into the body of Baldwinson. The Red Tide swept on, Wakeman’s daring 25 yard chip floated just over. Baldwinson made a breathtaking close range block to batter out Liam Camis venomous volley from 8 yards. Another Kanek cross seemed destined for a red head until big Olly Bell at centre half hooked the ball safety, his Hampton harassers as much annoyance as a pair of gadflies.
That storm weathered Dulwich re-gathered themselves for a brief respite as a corner was one but Bell could only hook the ball over the bar as Sprusen’s header fell to him. Back came the Hampton boys, again marauding down Kanek’s flank. Dithering almost cost Hamlet a goal as a weak attempt to clear the ball only reached Guichard lurking on the corner of the penalty area, but surprise at the gift got the better of him and an attempt to chip the ball into the net bothered none but the starlings roosting amidst the arbour.
The hard work seemed done as half time approached but them Dulwich shot themselves in the foot not once but twice in the space of two short minutes. On 43 minutes the ball was lost in the middle of the park, a pass sent forward to Camis scampering in pursuit with Bell blocking his route, but a misplaced attempt to clear the ball from the Hamlet centre half gave him extra impetus and Camis was hotfooting it towards goal with Bell in his wake. A drilled finish low into the bottom corner gave Baldwinson no chance. If that was gutting, a second goal almost on half time would rip the heart from the Hamlet. Kanek’s cross seemed too deep, an easy gather for Baldwinson but for an instant his concentration went, the ball vanished in the floodlights and it slipped from his grasp to fall at the feet of a startled James Wheeler, who kept his composure to guide the ball into the net gaping before him.
Wheeler would once more be the recipient of Baldwinson largesse two minutes into the second half, a killer blow from which Hamlet could not recover. The young Hamlet custodian inexplicably allowed a speculative shot, maybe even a mis-hit cross, from the young Beaver, wide out on the left wing, to squirm through his arms and into the net behind him. Another nail in the coffin came on 55 minutes when Jordan Waller added a fourth from a free kick to leave Dulwich with naught but pride to chase. Of course this opened up more chances for Hampton but off-key shooting keep the scoreline below the bounds of embarrassment as long-range efforts from Abu Rayhan and Liam Camis went wide of the target. Even went the number favoured the hosts with players in the majority, a crunching Bell tackle left Wakeman’s ears ringing with a peal to match the finest campanile. However the defence was AWOL with a quarter hour left as Camis claimed his second, Baldwinson bravely blocking at the striker’s feet but powerless as the rebound was curled beyond him.
Lesser teams might have curled up to wait the final whistle but hearts still pumped pink and blue, and for ten minutes, Dulwich held an ascendancy that had been strange to them for too long. A drop ball swept out to Daniel Craig haring down the left, his cross into the six yard box met by Grant, winning the ball against taller, more numerous, opposition but nodding the ball over the crossbar. A Dulwich corner dropped to Micky Mullane but from 8 yards out he larruped the ball over the bar and as if to heap the pain on, Pratt galloped away of the last defender in a carbon copy of Hampton’s opener, only to drag his effort wide of the near post.

Teams:
H&RBFC: Joe Talbot, Jack Whitby, Abu Rayhan, Josh Guichard (Charlie Matthuis 80), Dean Inman (Capt), Robert Curtis (Jack Grinstead 66), Tom Kanek, Jordan Waller, Liam Camis (Soheil Tehrani 82), Spencer Wakeman, James Wheeler
Substitute not used: Alex Williams (GK)

DHFC: Danny Baldwinson, Micky Mullane, Dan Moosavi, Adam Griffin (Lewis Cashin 60), Olly Bell, Ike Nwanokwu, Metin Ramadan (Arnel Maga 60), Louis Sprusen, Dean Grant, Tom Pratt, Ruen DeSilva (Daniel Craig 77)
Substitutes not used: Tommy Roberts, Tom Gothard (GK)

Goalscoring:
1-0 H&RBFC Liam Camis 43rd minute
2-0 H&RBFC James Wheeler 45th minute
3-0 H&RBFC James Wheeler 47th minute
4-0 H&RBFC Jordan Waller 55th minute
5-0 H&RBFC Liam Camis 77th minute

Officials:
Referee: Mr T Pusey (Hanwell)
Assistant referee: Mr D Hookway (Shepperton) & Mr R Ellerker (Harrow)

Attendance: 65

Dulwich Hamlet 3 Corinthian-Casuals 1

Dulwich Hamlet 3 Corinthian-Casuals 1
Ryman Isthmian League Division One South
Tuesday 9th September 2008

With a rat-a-tat-tat and a five minute fusillade of goals, Dulwich came from behind against the incommodious amateurs of Corinthian-Casuals whose obdurate defence of a sixth minute lead given them by Trevor Robinson’s pistol crack strike seemed set to upset the Hamlet on home turf. However a needless push gave Dulwich a lifeline just when it seemed that all their efforts would be in vain, Laurent Hamici’s piston powered penalty levelling matters and becoming the precursor for a blitz of goals that saw that early deficit turned in what was by full time a comfortable victory and a welcome three points.
As full time blew at Folkestone the thunderous look upon the face of Craig Edwards spelt doom for those whose performances were deemed below par and much changed starting XI bore testament to the manager’s desire to ensure such debacles would not be repeated. In a night of long knifes a number of players were given final ultimatums, stay to fight and prove yourselves or find employment elsewhere. A midfield much ravaged by injury and ill-fortune was bolstered as last season Players Player of the Year, Benson Paka, returned to Champion Hill to add his high-octane engine to the Hamlet heart. Alongside him Gillingham prodigy, Charlie Howard, a midfield starlet for the Kent side, out learning his trade in the rough and tumble of the Isthmian League. In attack Junior Kaffo returned to the battering ram centre-forward role he had performed diligently, if without reward, against Broxbourne in the FA Cup whilst there was a first start for former Millwall youngster Gary Noel.
If Dulwich had suffered a lost weekend for the Casuals the previous game, victory over moneybags Ashford Town, had been a welcome relief in a winless season so far as a late fightback won them all three points for the first time this term. Though young Howard’s perceptive cross field ball almost set up Steve May in the third minute, a hurried shot skewed away from goal, the Casuals kept up the Ashford momentum with the evening’s opening goal just three minutes later as from a throw-in Robinson’s deceptive swivel left May sprawled on the turf. Whilst most might have looked for a target in the box, Robinson pulled the trigger and smacked in a drive from the angle, laced with venom and pumped with power, that gave Jamie Lunan not a ghost of a chance, beating the ‘keeper at his near post, leaving the post quivering as it cracked in off the upright.
Age before beauty, Young Hamlet’s spurs and stabs countered by the more worldly-wise Casuals, who created a number of early openings and had Dan Jackson not scuffed a clear chance might have doubled their lead before the half was half done. Dulwich’s ripostes were sharp but infrequent. Kaffo almost got on to the end of skipper Marc Cumberbatch’s header down from a free kick, a defender’s boot to the rescue as ‘keeper Colin Harris hesitated. Were Hamlet over exerting themselves? A blur of legs when they attacked but Harris mainly untroubled as the efforts failed to find the target. The final quarter hour belonged to Dulwich but somehow a goal would not come. Like cobras on steroids Simpson and Hamici badgered the visiting defence. From the edge of the area Noel dragged a shot wide of the ‘keeper’s right hand stick. Next attack and Hamici chanced his arm with a larruped strike on the volley that had Harris flustered as he scrambled to pat-a-cake the ball behind for a corner. With sands running low, Dulwich kept up a move as sinuous and twisting as a Baghdad belly dancer despite copious Casuals attempts to stall it, if only Hamici’s finish had been better.
Having slipped the reins of their minders to play in the park, Dulwich were out for the second half before the Casuals had supped their half-time teas. Svelte ideas, fortified with aggression and adrenalin and the Casuals defence was showed its years as the young pups scythed at them again and again. Simpson’s pinpoint cross in from the left wing was met by Noel, leaping upon winged feet, his header flicking wide of the back stick. Howard smacked one in from distance, fizzing low but wide of the upright.
A caution for Casuals Chris Horwood and a dangerous free kick delivered deep by Hamici, Cumberbatch perhaps unwise to eschew a diving header for a side foot which failed to connect. A flurry of cards followed Dan Jackson’s bone crunching termination of May’s run out of defence rightly punished as was Hamici’s over exuberant leap into a tackle. May’s whipped cross in from the left was met by Simpson at the back of the box but his effort was blocked.
As the wheel of time turned ever on, the hopes of Hamlet never died but it took a moment of madness from Casuals’ substitute Lee Matthews to throw Dulwich the vital lifeline of a spot kick. Howard’s bombed cross from the left seemed to be going too deep and too long for Hamici to reach until Matthews decided to give him a helping hand, the defender’s shove so strong the unfortunate Hamlet man, already in flight, was almost pushed over the crossbar! Unsurprisingly the referee unerringly pointed to the penalty mark. Surprisingly the transgressor went unpunished, though Byron Brown’s protestations earned him the amateurs’ fourth caution of the evening. The imperturbable Hamici exacted his revenge with powerful spot kick hammered home. That was the cockspur for the Hamlet revival. Nerve, sinew, muscle and energy were thrust at the visitors. On 76 minutes the ball swept across the park to Simpson the leftwing marauder. A neat pass back inside to Paka, a low cross beyond the ‘keeper and there was Noel to tie the ribbon as he tucked the ball into the gaping net, a goal capped by an acrobatic flourish for his maiden goal. A double stab to the heart for gallant Casuals as Tyron Myton earned himself a second caution and rather unCorinthian dismissals swiftly became a triple tragedy for the Tolworth team as Dulwich added a third on 79 minutes. Casuals’ Mark Towse dithered too long on the ball in the middle of the park and Hamlet were upon him like wolves upon a wounded deer. A sliderule pass sent May scampering away like a pheasant before the beaters and through Harris tried to narrow the angle it was to no avail as the Hamlet man slipped the ball coolly under his diving body.
Frustration set in for the Casuals and a badge that once waved the flag of fair play as Chronos frowned upon them. Shielding the ball by the corner flag, Hamici was hacked at repeatedly by Matthews as a piece of rump steak upon the slab of some trainee butcher. For a sixth time a yellow card was waved in the face of Corinthian, the ghosts of that great team scowled. All this led for a extended bout of stoppage time but Harris prevented further scoring by the Hamlet as made a smart save, diving to flick away an angled volley from Simpson meeting Noel’s set-up.

DHFC: Jamie Lunan, Steve May, Billy Chattaway, Benson Paka, Cedric Ngakam (Ryan Bernard HT), Marc Cumberbatch, Gary Noel, Charlie Howard, Laurent Hamici (Daryl Plummer 90), Junior Kaffo, Scott Simpson
Substitutes not used: Peter Martin, Mohamed Coly, Sheikh Ceesay (GK)
Cautions: Laurent Hamici

CCFC: Colin Harris, Carlos Talbot (Lee Matthews 37), Byron Brown, Chris Horwood (Capt), James Rieve, Joe Funicello, Tyrone Myton, Luke Edghill, Dan Jackson , Steve Omonuo (Joe Nwoko 65), Trevor Robinson (Mark Towse 75)
Substitutes not used: Richard Price, Paul Smith (GK)
Cautions: Tyrone Myton, Chris Horwood, Dan Jackson, Byron Brown, Lee Matthews
Dismissal: Tyrone Myton 75 (Second Caution)

Goalscoring:
1-0 CCFC Trevor Robinson 6th minute
1-1 DHFC Laurent Hamici (pen) 73rd minute
2-1 DHFC Gary Noel 76th minute
3-1 DHFC Steve May 79th minute

Attendance: 192

Officials:
Referee: Mr Michael Webb (Woking, Surrey)
Assistant Referees: Mr Gareth Mays (Epsom, Surrey) & Mr Stefan Malczewski (Ashtead, Surrey)

Folkestone Invicta 2 Dulwich Hamlet 0

Folkestone Invicta 2 Dulwich Hamlet 0
Ryman Isthmian League Division One South
Saturday 6th September 2008

After exertions of the FA Cup it was back to league action for the Hamlet as they travelled down to the Kent coast to take on in-form Folkestone Invicta, newly relegated from the upper echelons of the Isthmian League, but among the favourites for a speedy restoration to the Premier Division in light of three wins out of four in their past league outings.
The wide open spaces of the Buzzlines Stadium, beneath the chalk cliffs of Ken, the venue, but buzzing was something Hamlet did little of in a subdued performance which rarely rose above the mediocre. Craig Edwards had a joker in his hand with Ryan Bernard utilised in the battering-ram centre forward role, but his poker hand was regularly trumped by a Invicta defence that refused to buckle and employed gamesmanship of the lowest order, players hitting the deck wit such regularly the local constabulary were last seen scouring the vicinity for snipers hiding amongst the undergrowth.
The home pleaders showed their cards early with a brace of contentious claims for a spot kick ere the quarter hour had passed. Handball was the first shout, waved away by referee Mr Allum, the man in black similarly unpredisposed to award a penalty when James Dryden flung himself to the floor in the area proclaimed a Dulwich hand had sent him tumbling.
A festering undercurrent of malice left a sour taste upon this contest, exacerbated when Lee Spiller limped from the field of play after just 19 minutes a victim of his own malevolence as he crunched into a late tackle on Tyran James. The free kick awarded against the now-departed miscreant created the best chance s far of a lacklustre game, the ball dropping to Mo Coly whose dipping 30-yarder was neatly tipped over by a back-pedalling Charlie Mitten. At the opposite end Dryden flashed a cross-shot across the Dulwich six yard box to cap a flowing move involving Andy Pugh and Jimmy Jackson out on the left flank.
Having allowed so much nastiness from both sides a free rein Mr Allum finally remembered he had brought his cards though Matt Bourne’s playacting as Laurent Hamici lunged in for the ball was as great a contributing factor as the Hamlet man’s challenge.
The Hamlet’s makeshift centre-forward, Bernard, showed those whose regular trade this striking business the way to goal with the first true effort on goal shortly after the half hour, Bernard’s header from James’ chipped in pass on target but lacking the power to trouble Mitten. Bernard’s frustration with an offside decision soon after saw him join Hamici in the book as Mr Allum took exception to his vociferous plaint.
The dread deadlock was finally broken as Folkestone amateur dramatics saw them awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. With Dulwich dithering over the construction and placing of the wall, Dryden, in no mood for procrastination, neatly curled the ball up and over the wall, beyond the clawing fingers of Jamie Lunan and into the corner of the net.
A third Hamlet caution before the break as Liam Friend showed what the theatre had missed and football, perhaps to its regret, had gained, tumbling to the turf over Simpson’s outstretched leg with a squeal that would have dogs converging upon the Buzzlines in packs. Hoodwinked Mr Allum brandished the yellow as the miracle working physio had him up and running quicker than you can say “take up your bed and walk”!
Subdued by goal and cautions, Dulwich were a shadow of a team in the second half, timid in the tackle for fear of Mr Allum notebook, impotent in attack. Invicta smelt that fear and sent in the storm troopers to wreak havoc upon the Hamlet goal. Early chances to claim three points went begging as Dryden blasted extravagantly wide when Jackson’s pinpoint delivered free kick found him unguarded in the area. Cedric Ngakam came to the rescue, clearing when skipper Lee Gledhill drilled the ball in from the right.
When that rare chance for the Hamlet materialized, it was wastefully thrown away, as evidenced on the 57 minutes when great approach work from James set up Daniel Nwanze, only for the big man to shoot tamely into the body of Mitten.
Though Dulwich had been poor in most, if not all departments, the travelling fans had found their scapegoat in Mr Allum, not that he did much to dissuade them from their belief with his decisions, none more so than when Michael Everitt seemingly rained a blow upon the prostrate Steve May after the two had tangled.
A fine chip in from Billy Chattaway proved just too long for Hamici, the young left back returning from delivery duties to defensive ones as he was perfectly placed on the goal line to hack away Dryden’s goalbound effort. Vital defending at the other end as Hamici spun and shot across, a defender’s toes turning the ball in the hands of the diving Mitten. If doors of hope had creaked open with that opportunity, they were slammed shut in the face of the Hamlet in the 78th minute. Pugh collected a drilled pass through the middle from teammate Jackson before sidestepping Lunan and applying a composed finish. A third was on the cards when Jackson delivered a first class free kick on to the head of James Everitt but he could not get enough purchase on the header with Lunan down smartly to smoother.
If the rigor mortis had long since set in, there was a brief animation of the Hamlet in the final throes of the contest, Mitten forced into a stunning save to turn a blazing Hamici drive over the crossbar, Marc Cumberbatch meeting the resultant corner with a firm header but wide of the mark.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Charlie Mitten, Lee Gledhill (Capt.), Mark Green, Liam Friend, Matt Bourne, Michael Everitt, Lee Spiller (James Everitt 19), Andy Pugh, James Dryden, Nick Humphrey, Jimmy Jackson
Substitutes not used: Byron Walker, Josh Burchell, Liam Dickson, Naff Jevons

DULWICH HAMLET: Jamie Lunan, Steve May, Billy Chattaway (Peter Martin 81), Mohammed Coly, Cedric Ngakam, Marc Cumberbatch, Tyran James, Daniel Nwanze (Gary Noel 66), Laurent Hamici, Ryan Bernard (Fasineh Koroma 66), Scott Simpson
Substitutes not used: Junior Kaffo, Sheikh Ceesay

Goalscoring:
1-0 FIFC: James Dryden 35th minute
2-0 FIFC: Andy Pugh 78th minute

Officials:
Referee: Mr Rob Allum
Assistant Referees: Mr Jon Stone and Mr Leigh Crowhurst

Attendance: 307

Broxbourne Borough Victoria and Elm 1 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Broxbourne Borough Victoria and Elm 1 Dulwich Hamlet 2
The FA Cup – Sponsored by E.On – Preliminary Round replay
Tuesday 2nd September 2008

Dulwich Hamlet dispensed with troublesome Broxbourne at the second time of asking but not without human cost in full-bloodied battle at the Goffs Lane home of their South Midlands Spartan League hosts. The headaches began before the kick-off as Steve May was delayed on his way from work making kick-off with a matter of minutes to spare, a vital cog might have been for May was to move into the centre back role with skipper Ryan Bernard on the bench. 15 minutes of no holds barred football, not tackling but grabbling more suited to a Saturday afternoon at Catford Town Hall with Kent Walton behind the mike. One half expected some stage-managed granny to bolt from the stands, brollie poised to strike down some poor unfortunate whose tackling had riled her. Instead it was a brace of players doing the marching, back down the rudimentary tunnel to the dressing rooms as Peter Martin took exception to a two footed lunge from the Boro’s Saturday saviour and after blows had been traded referee Gavin Muge had not alternative but to brandish a red card and send the crestfallen pair slopping sluggishly to an early shower. The thinning of the numbers should have favoured the hosts, an out and out striker sacrificed for them, a right back for the Hamlet but instead once the blueness had seeped from the night air it was Dulwich who exploited space to take the lead. The ball wheedled out to Scott Simpson, lurking out on the left wing and with defenders snapping a his heels he drove to the edge of the area to let rip with a fierce low drive that gave Mark Virgo in the host goal little chance of rescuing his laboured defence.
If this was promise of a Dulwich rampage it struggled to materialise for though the Hamlet held the noses under lock and key for much of the half they could not make enough of the chances that came their way. A spectacular scissors kick by Fas Koroma, drafted in the hitman role, failed to come off whilst all Broxbourne could muster in reply was a shot well off the mark as a low cross was drilled in from the left. On the very brink of the break it should have been a second for once as Simpson’s industry on the wing, determination and tricky in the box, saw a chipped cross pick out Laurent Hamici rattling in at the back of the box only to misfire with his shot and see the ball flash across the goal and beyond the opposite post.
Barely had the players left the sanctuary of the changing rooms than battle was joined once more. The ebullient Hamici blazed in the opening attack then not long after saw a bullet drive heading for a chink in the top corner of Virgo’s net clawed away by the alert custodian. Mr Muge’s card toaster was soon pinning ready once more as a prehistoric challenge from Bradley Poole saw him become the second Boro’ boy booked.
The high work rate was certainly taking its toll on both XIs and mistake might prove telling. Fortunately when presented with the ball in just such a situation Lee Teagle was not to take advantage of the munificence of the Hamlet, instead shooting straight in the midriff of Jamie Lunan, to whom the ball had been a stranger for much of the preceding hour and a quarter.
Then with ten minutes to go it all went pear-shaped as a booming throw-in caused consternation in the Dulwich defence, the ball was not cleared fully and in the melee a free kick was conceded on the far edge of the area. A severe case of “after you, Claude” as the ball was drilled low across the penalty spot, players of either hue shying from the ball until Matt Kearney struck a booty to stab the ball home from 5 yards out.
What was left in the tank for the Hamlet? Would this be a dagger through the heart that had sustained them so long in a furious battle? The dark shadow of extra-time, maybe even penalties, was cast over Goffs Lane but Dulwich sipped once more from the well of courage. Five minutes were left, a corner was one and rising to meet the delivery as Poseidon from the waves was Marc Cumberbatch, arching to meet the ball with a venom-laden header too powerful for Virgo as it singed his outstretched gloves on it way to the back of the net. Red in shirt, red in blood, red in heart, Dulwich had clinched a place in the next round, a visit to Oxhey Jets. But still this enthralling evening had a bitter postscript. An overjoyed Lunan launched into a jig of joy to which the homesters took exception along with Mr Muge who took his evenings card count to seven, a trio of reds (2-1 to the Hamlet) and quartet of yellows all to the hosts.

Teams:
DHFC: Jamie Lunan, Peter Martin, Billy Chattaway, Alex Fiddes, Steve May, Marc Cumberbatch, Fas Koroma (Tyran James 65), Dan Nwanze, Laurent Hamici, Junior Kaffo, Scott Simpson
Substitutes Not Used: Ryan Bernard, Gary Noel, Erron Dussard, Danny Baldwinson
Cautions: None
Dismissals: Peter Martin, Jamie Lunan

BBV&EFC: Mark Virgo, Dan Odamo (Danny May 77), Rob Kemble, Lee Teagle, Matt Watts, Junior Langsbury (Michael Noble 63), Gary Taylor (Matt Kearney 77), Bradley Poole, Rob Tungett, Ryan Wade, Mark Brennan
Substitutes not used: Lloyd Opara, Obey Murefu (GK)
Cautions: Bradley Poole, Junior Langsbury, Matt Watts, Lee Teagle
Dismissal: Ryan Wade

Goalscoring:
1-0 DHFC Scott Simpson 17th minute
1-1 BBV&EFC Matt Kearney 81st minute
2-1 DHFC Marc Cumberbatch 84th minute

Officials:
Referee: Mr Gavin Muge
Assistant Referees: Mr Geoff Graham & Mr Adrian Waters

Attendance: 94

Dulwich Hamlet 1 Broxbourne Borough Victoria and Elm 1

Dulwich Hamlet 1 Broxbourne Borough V & E 1
FA Cup (Sponsored by Eon) Preliminary Round
Sunday 31st August 2008

Dulwich and Broxbourne will have to do it all again on Tuesday after Gavin Wade’s 85th minute equaliser meant the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division side were allowed to escape with a share of the spoils in a below par match when few players in Pink and Blue could be satisfied with their performances. Had Hamlet managed to find a higher gear this game might have been put to bed long before that heart-breaking equaliser, all the more gutting that it would come from a mistake from usually sure-footed skipper Ryan Bernard. First chance fell to the visitors; Junior Langsbury stabbed the ball over the bar from close range in an unseemly goalmouth scramble, Dulwich struggling to find their feet, almost as if a sluggish Sunday hangover dulled their skills. However the Hamlet soon grabbed the whip hand and Fasineh Koroma was a whisker away from connected with the ball as Laurent Hamici larruped a drive across the face of the six yard box. Consolation though for the energetic Koroma as he was on hand to drive Dulwich into the lead on the quarter hour. Scott Simpson jet powered free kick was too hot to hold for Broxbourne ‘keeper Mark Virgo and as the ball spilled from his hands Koroma was on hand to stab the ball home under the falling custodian.
The game slipped into a morass of midfield muddling as Broxbourne’s pressing kept the Hamlet from their free flowing best. Little to report until Jamie Lunan was testing for the first time in anger as Dan Nwanze was robbed of the ball by Tony Burke, the onetime Potters Bar man, driving on to set up Mark Brennan, but thought his long range shot clipped off a defender, the deviation in flight was not enough to deceive Jamie Lunan. Spurred into direct action Dulwich were galloping back on the attack with Simpson spinning off his marker but with his shooting satnav on the blink larruping a fierce rising shot over the crossbar from 14 yards out. Though Boro' had the ball in the side netting soon after the chances were going the way of the Hamlet but something was lacking, accuracy. Tyran James skewed a strike off target, right-footed Koroma’s left-wing cross was clawed away by Virgo from the marauding Simpson, Hamici off the mark as he latched to the loose ball.
An escape for the Hamlet as Lunan was caught in No Mans Land but Brennan blew the chance as he stretched to balloon the ball over the unguarded goal. The relentless Koroma seemed the best channel for the Hamlet and twice in closing stages of the half he came close a curled effort deflected wide then a smart save from Virgo denying him in stoppage time.
Bit of a soggy pudding the second half. A long distance screamer from Hamici flew well wide of the top corner. The same player turned provider a cracking cross an agonisingly inch too far in front of Simpson who flung himself with reckless abandon at the ball as it fizzed across his face. An extra inch might have been so vital for connection would surely have equalled a goal. Some excellent industry from Hamici created the opening for himself but a skewed shot fell short of troubling the ‘keeper.
A quartet of replacements as half a half went by, Broxbourne’s were to prove the more production as the Boro’ shuffled their pack, Wade the lion wolf in attack. But for the leg of Lunan, blocking a close range of effort, Wade might have been a hero of Hertfordshire sooner than he did. Still with 5 minutes left Wade’s moment would come as Bernard slipping as he went to block a pass the ball running cruelly into the path of the Boro’s frontman who would run on to larrup the ball beyond a powerless Lunan.
Urgency now running Hamlet heads, a penalty shout fell on deaf ears as Bernard, now adding his weight to the attack, helped a pass on Billy Chattaway, the ball striking a defender’s hand in flight. Chattaway had the chance to rescue the Hamlet from the midweek ordeal of a trip north of the Thames after substitute Gary Noel wide left had picked him out in the middle. But at the death the Boro’ found another hero in the spindly form of Virgo, not once but twice denying Chattaway, blocking at his feet then spreading his hands across as the young wing back tried to force the ball home.

Teams:
DHFC: Jamie Lunan; Steve May, Billy Chattaway, Alex Fiddes (Erron Dussard 67), Ryan Bernard (Capt.), Marc Cumberbatch, Tyran James (Peter Martin 84), Daniel Nwanze, Laurent Hamici, Scott Simpson (Gary Noel 67), Fasineh Koroma.
Substitutes not used: Junior Kaffo, Danny Baldwinson
Cautions: Peter Martin
BBV&E: Mark Virgo; Gary Taylor (Capt.) (Dan Odamo 67), Rob Kemble, Lee Teagle, Matt Watts (Michael Nathan 88), Junior Langsbury, Danny Ward (Rob Tungatt 67), Bradley Poole, Ryan Wade, Mark Brennan, Tony Burke
Substitutes not used: Danny May, Obey Murefu (GK)
Cautions: Danny Ward, Rob Tungatt

Goalscoring:
1-0: DHFC Fasineh Koroma 15th minute
1-1: BBV&E Ryan Wade 85th minute

Officials:
Referee: Mr Philip Knight (Canterbury)
Assistant Referees: Mr Robert Ayling (Dover) & Mr Tim Amans (Ramsgate)

Attendance 164

Dulwich Hamlet 1 Metropolitan Police 1

Dulwich Hamlet 1 Metropolitan Police 1
Ryman Isthmian league Division One South
Tuesday 26th August 2008

Some may decry the Met Police as Mock Coppers (Moppers?), mercenaries will little connection to Sir Robert Peel Boobies or the Bow Street Runners other than the odd run in with a speed camera or a D&D in Kingston Town Centre on a Saturday night but the XI who wore the shirt of the constabulary had certainly been trained in all the finest forms of riot control as Dulwich, rampant at the weekend, were stymied at every turn. Although Hamlet took the lead late in the first half, it went against the grain for the Police had held the whip hand for the bulk of the contest prior to then. An early equaliser broke Hamlet hearts, a lapse of concentration, though a goal not undeserved for all the Met’s belligerence in attack and even when reduced to ten men, though injury rather than dismissal, the Coppers still had the energy, the aggression and the sheer bloody-mindedness to thwart the Hamlet’s ambitions of taking a third win from four. Still against a side bristling with Isthmian League experience a Hamlet side slashed through the middle by injury and the duplicity of rival managers could hold its head up high for surely either side should amongst the title chasers come the dénouement of the campaign.
The fates had once more conspired against Craig Edwards as he prepared his starting line, the poor unfortunate must have crashed his car into a lorry load of black cats on the way to the ground before dumping seven millennia worth of mirrors upon the stricken felines. Star of the Merstham demolition, JP Collier was limping about on crutches, victim of a cruciate ligament injury whilst midfielder Stanley Muguo had been disquietened by a tapping up from a rival manager, alerted by Dulwich’s straightened circumstances in the current climate. Also out was Daryl Plummer still suffering the side-effects of his gallant goal at Merstham that saw him concussed and suffering kidney damage. It meant of the four musketeers who had lined up across the middle for Dulwich at the Moatside only Alex Fiddes survived to be joined by Dan Nwanze, Tyran James and Fas Koroma.
Excused league duty for the Bank Holiday, Notting Hill and all that old bean, and glowing fluorescent yellow the Met Police arrived at Champion Hill all sirens blaring and ready for action decked out in their hi-viz jackets as if newly arrived from that Edwards’ traffic accident, then began the game as if hell-bent on causing one. Numbers all a jumble, number 11 at right back, the stocky yet strutting Rob George, bedecked in the number three shirt but orchestrating his team’s finest moves from a roving role behind a twin pronged attack. In flurry of early chances, George would come closest as he pirouetted in the box, a low drive beating Jamie Lunan only to smack back off the base of the far upright. On hand was Steve May to larrup the ball to safety as Scott Forrester hovered. Dulwich had a strong shout for a penalty as a Scott Simpson was felled on the very brink of the box but referee Mr Wilde was having none of it. The tenacious George again found the target with a strike from distance but this time found Lunan waiting for the ball.
For every roe there is a thorn and the Police plans were disrupted when midfielder James Greenaway had to be pulled off after just twelve minutes, though in his stead came Michael Cobden, a fiery young left-back, a point he would prove when he scythed through James to earn the evening’s first booking seven minutes after his arrival. Prior to that Dulwich had threatened when Marc Cumberbatch met a corner with a header of fearful force that flew a fraction too high.
A Dulwich free kick had Met Police defenders working overtime as Steve Sutherland hacked away the deflected drive, only for Dulwich to pile the pressure on with a series of stabs at goal only for the thin yellow line to hold firm. Best was yet to come and on 27 minutes Billy Chattaway launched a deep, deep cross from the left wing to the back of the six yard box where Laurent Hamici was lurking. The striker waited, waited for the ball to drop. “Let it have it” as Hamici cracked a full-blooded drive towards the bottom corner of the net only for the first reacting Mo Maan to scramble down to block at his post.
The Met’s rejoinder was rapid with Forrester dragging a shot across the face of goal, then the same player guilty of a wasteful finish as he drove straight at Lunan after Craig Carley’s sideline salsa had set up the chance. The luckless Forrester would be denied once more as his header was spectacularly clawed away by Lunan but Dulwich momentum was building. James found Maan in the way of his strike but as 45 minutes ticked past, Hamici found a chink in the Met’s armour, turning on a sixpence to drill a searing shot low inside the near post with Maan undone.
A riveting second half was given its overture by a rousing start from the Rozzers, though Hamlet’s defence must have been wondering how they could have lost their quarry given the luminous attire of the marked men s Hamlet were caught napping three minutes after the restart. Gary Drewett, latterly recruited to the cause of the Boys in Blue, marauding down the right wing to dump a deep cross on the far side of the area. Skipper Sutherland stretched out a limb to drag the ball back across the face of goal and in the ensuring scramble it was the itinerant George ion the right place to prod the ball in the back of the net.
In the trenches battle was joined, if blood serves but one purpose it is to be spilt in battle and battle this was for neither side would cede early season honours to the other. The Police can’t stand losing, they can’t stand losing, habitual play-off failures rankle at Imber Court and were Jim Cooper’s employers of a commercial bent, his success-free spending might have been curtailed by now. By contrast Craig Edwards is Baron Hardup, his cupboard bare but his soldiers hungry for victory. The Police felt that hunger, Tommy Moorhouse was the first to drop, a crunching collision with Simpson his undoing. Forrester followed replaced by Saheed Sankoh, gun for hire and for a moment the Police woke up. But the injury jinx stuck once more as Sutherland clattered into the far upright in a failed attempt to brush home Sankoh’s drive across the face of goal. Shorn of a man, the Police’s attacking ambitious were stemmed but determined not to surrender a hard-fought point already in their grasp they pressed hard on the Hamlet who looked to exploit the advantage but to no avail. Even the addition of an extra wide player could not provide the impetus to wheedle through the solid wall of yellow that sprung up whenever Hamlet dared to attack, leaving manager Craig Edwards frustrated but not unhappy.

Teams:
DHFC: Jamie Lunan; Steve May; Billy Chattaway; Alex Fiddes; Ryan Bernard (Capt.); Marc Cumberbatch; Tyran James (Junior Kaffo 86); Dan Nwanze; Laurent Hamici; Scott Simpson (Gary Noel 88); Fas Koroma (Erron Dussard 79)
Substitutes not used: Peter Martin, Gary Baldwinson (GK)

MPFC: Mo Maan; Steve Sutherland (Capt.); Rob George; Stuart Harte; Tommy Moorhouse (PC Robinson 65); James Greenaway (Michael Cobden 12); Gary Drewett; Craig Carley; Scott Forrester (Saheed Sankoh 70); Steve Sargent; Ron Edwards
Substitutes not used: Danny Platel; Will Packham (GK)

Goalscoring:
DHFC: 1-1 Laurent Hamici 45th minute
MPFC: 1-1 Rob George 48th minute

Officials:
Referee: Mr Nolan Wilde (Maidstone, Kent)
Assistants: Mr Mark Ford (Cheam, Surrey) & Mr Dave Sheldrake (West Molesey, Surrey)

Attendance: 251

Merstham 1 Dulwich Hamlet 4

Merstham 1 Dulwich Hamlet 4
Saturday 23rd August 2008
Ryman Isthmian League Division One South

Perched atop the rolling North Downs Merstham’s Moatside Ground is a oasis of green a bottle’s throw from the dreary dream of the post-war planners whose architectural reveries to restore bomb-blitzed Britain have long dissolved into concrete grey and indifferent inhabitants. No wonder the recent rise of the Moatsiders has brought such joy to the townsfolk and two games into their debut season in the Isthmian League the newcomers had acquired themselves well, winning at squeak down in the Valley at Whyteleafe, before inviting Sittingbourne into their home in midweek only to see the men from Kent run away with the best silver courtesy of a late Richard Brady goal. That match was first defeat in more than 40 games, an eye-opener for Merstham but worse was to follow as Dulwich Hamlet rode into town to inflict upon their gracious hosts their heaviest competitive defeat since late August 2006 when Wembley slammed four unanswered goals past a porous defence. No such porosity for nearly two years though the home defence might hold its head high for quality was etched in Dulwich goals from the moment Jon Paul Collier’s screamer opened the scoring to ripping volley from Scott Simpson that cemented emphatic victory.
The Walton wobbles still clear in the mind, Craig Edwards was relived top welcome back Steve May at his customary right back role whilst Laurent Hamici had recovered from opening day injury to reclaim his place in the vanguard. However it was a new face that would have the greatest impact, tricky midfielder Collier, captured in midweek would make a telling impression but more of that later.
Despite the promise the warning lights were on early to alert the Dulwich defence as bullish Merstham set out their stall in the Hamlet half, forcing a succession of early corners and setting Hamlet hearts a-fluttering as the twin destroyers of the Merstham attack, Kevin Lock and Kwabena Agyei, laid into the Hamlet rearguard with merciless intent of a Russian heavyweight. A jab here, a haymaker there but the scoring punches were missing, the experienced Lock particularly wasteful as his header from a Michael Morgan cross failed to hit the target, then a shot on the run sending restful pigeons from their roosts in the poplars behind the goal. Agyei should have profited when presented with the ball by dithering defenders, a charge on goal halted by a timely tackle from Marc Cumberbatch.
Hamlet’s threats had barely registered on the scale when out of the blue Dulwich claimed a 17th minute lead with a bazooka of a drive from debutant Collier ripped low past the diving Ian Chatfield, a bullet of a strike that sent the strong travelling support into early raptures.
The pendulum had truly swung into the favour of the Hamlet. A storming run from Hamici laid the foundations for Collier to chance his arm for a second barely three minutes later, his curling effort swinging just over the crossbar. Another stunning strike left the hoardings quivering as it singed the outside of the woodwork. Not to left out Simpson outjumped defenders to attack a freekick, awarded after Billy Chattaway’s run had been terminated on the fringes of the area, the striker’s header flying over the crossbar.
It should have been two in 37th minute when Laurent Hamici's determined charge upfield set up Daryl Plummer whose precise drive beat Chatfield, only to cannon back off the bar. Worse was to follow as Dulwich were caught cold on the rebound and when David Smith whipped over a superb cross from the right wing, the experienced Kevin Lock was lurking at the back stick to bring the ball under control and lam it under the body of Jamie Lunan.
The spark was lit in Merstham once more and but for Lunan’s swift charge from his line, Agyei might well have snatched up a ball in behind defence, the burly striker faltering the Hamlet custodian as he cleared and earning a caution for his persistence.
Dulwich picked themselves up from the disappointment of the goal and not long before the break came within a whisker of restoring their advantage as Simpson sent in a sweet curling strike that had Chatfield clambering across his goal to claw the ball away at the angle of post and bar.
Seven minutes after the restart Dulwich had a lead they would not relinquish again. Stick-thin he may be but bravery was etched on his soul as Daryl Plummer threw himself at the ball after his skipper Ryan Bernard had nodded a free kick back across the face of the six yard box. Plummer's bullish marker had no answer as a header from the Hamlet winger looped over a stranded Chatfield and into the net. Plummer’s bravery meant a lengthy session with the Dulwich physio and a dearth of sympathy from his colleagues, one of whom remarked “first time he scores and he gets injured”! But the ringing applause of the travelling hoard must get aided the recovery process.
Merstham might have drawn level once more but Billy Chattaway was on hand to kick a Chris Boulter header off the line as the Merstham man rose highest at a corner. Agyei too wasted a great chance, leaping tall at the back of the back only to flick his header away from the mark. Chances aside Dulwich continued to torment their hosts and some meaty challenges underlined how home defence failed to control Hamlet attack, Boulter and Hassan Nyang both tasting the referee’s ire and cautioning them for reckless tackles that could have seen dismissals from less indulgent officials. The latter gave Collier another opening, his freekick penetrating the wall and bouncing off the body of Chatfield; unfortunately no one was on hand to pounce. Agyei was once more denied by Cumberbatch’s saving tackle, the big man missed a clear header after a deep left wing cross, Lock’s experience deserted him as substitute Greenhouse flicked on the ball into his path, a wise mind succumbing to young hotheadedness as power was scarified for pretty, a delicate chip floating harmlessly over Lunan’s bar.
Having beaten away these Merstham chances, at last Dulwich bolstered their advantage as they broke out of defence, Simpson's industry paving the way for Hamici to drive a scuffed shot low in the far corner of a late-reacting Chatfield's net. In the fourth minute of stoppage the tireless Simpson gained his reward too as a hoofed ball forwards was headed skywards by a defender, the patient Simpson waiting for the ball to drop before larruping it on the volley in the now-rippling net.

Teams:
MFC: Ian Chatfield; Kristian Hale; Matt Francis; Chris Boulter; Craig Vernon (c); Chris Read; Michael Morgan (Hinga Amara 81); Hassan Nyang (Glen Garman 89); Kwabena Agyei; Kevin Lock; David Smith (Nick Greenhouse 69)
Substitutes not used: Dean Gunner, Chris Kennedy
Cautions: Kwabena Agyei, Kristian Hale; Chris Boulter; Hassan Nyang

DHFC: Jamie Lunan; Steve May; Billy Chattaway; Alex Fiddes; Ryan Bernard; Marc Cumberbatch; Jon Paul Collier; Stanley Muguo; Laurent Hamici (Junior Kaffo 86); Scott Simpson; Daryl Plummer (Liam Wright 74)
Substitutes not used: Gary Noel; Dan Nwanze; Danny Baldwinson
Cautions: Billy Chattaway; Stanley Muguo

Goalscoring:
DHFC: 1-0 Jon Paul Collier 17th minute
MFC: 1-1 Kevin Lock 38th minute
DHFC: 2-1 Daryl Plummer 52nd minute
DHFC: 3-1 Laurent Hamici 80th minute
DHFC: 4-1 Scott Simpson 94th minute

Officials:
Referee: Mr Charles Breakspear (Walton-on-Thames, Surrey)
Assistants: Mr Adam Bakalarz (Bromley, Kent) & Mr Jeff Lengthorn (New Eltham, Kent)

Attendance: 190

Walton Casuals 1 Dulwich Hamlet 0

Walton Casuals 1 Dulwich Hamlet 0
Ryman Isthmian Division One South
Saturday 16th August 2008

Perhaps the wrong kind of balls as the yellow footballs made a premature appearance, though the driving rain that battered a goodly crowd for this outpost of the Isthmian League made for winter weather. A fifty-fifth minute goal from Victor Asombang was all that it took to divide the sides in a bruising battle beside the Thames, the summer weather fit only for ducks and waiting, ever waiting, for the cricket to start. Both hosts and visitors welcomed season debutants into the ranks of the starting XIs, former AFC Wimbledon hero Rob Ursell, shorn of the adulation of those fans turned out in orange whilst Dulwich had Dan Nwanze returning, albeit in an unfamiliar position as strike partner to Scott Simpson as the Hamlet forward jinx claimed another victim in the shape of Laurent Hamici. Had first half chances been taken a goal feast might have been on the cards but neither side exploited the openings that came their way. Sonny Farr drilled a shot into the midriff of Jamie Lunan, an opportunity that might have cemented the Stags early dominance though Dulwich too went close after an audacious back heel from Scott Simpson set up Alex Fiddes, and a sweetly struck side footed drive curling barely fractions of an inch over Craig Bradshaw's goal. A last ditch interception stopped Nwanze claiming a goal scoring return as John Ambridge sneaked in front of him to get a vital touchback to his 'keeper after Tyran James had whipped in a tantalising cross low into the six yard box. 20 minutes gone and Matt Weston should have broken the deadlock as the Dulwich defence was sliced open, the nippy young forward latched on to the ball ahead of Ryan Bernard, nicking it past a stranded Jamie Lunan but somehow lifting the ball over as the goal loomed open before him. Asombang would join him in the hall of infamy soon after when he somehow drove the ball across the face of goal from the left of the area when the target was tantalisingly close. Punishment almost came instantly as Daryl Plummer zipped in behind a dozing defence, a cheeky attempt at a lob over the stranded Bradshaw wasted as the ball was lifted far too high. With the wind and rain at their backs Dulwich pushed, half chances abounded, Bernard unable to connect with a stinging free kick across the face of goal. Cries of "penalty" rang out when Plummer went tumbling as he nipped in after the ball, touching it past the diving Bradshaw before going to ground, but the official decision went the way of the custodian. Having struggled early on Dulwich had gained the upper hand as the half wore on. A galloping run from Billy Chattaway down the left cut a swathe through the orange flank before an intelligent pullback picked out Simpson lurking 12 yards from goal. Time to pick out a shot, perhaps too much as a Walton leg was flung out to block the strike. Poor Simpson for moments later, snatching up a weak clearance and juggled the ball into position, a fine strike was deflected on to the base of the far upright by a hand no less but a Dulwich one. As if to reinforce the so near yet so far nature of the half Walton signed off the first 45 with a floated cross that left Lunan standing as it bounced back off the crossbar before being larruped to safety.
Talk of missed opportunity and frustrating officialdom dominated the half-time chatter over the Bovril. Yellow balls and not a hint of snow. Did the man in black know something others did not? Global warming? Nay, Ice Age once more. Sell Sun Tan Oil, Buy Oilskins. But more seriously was his inconsistency in punishment, technical offences punished, foul play ticked off at the most. In the same vein he started the second half Walton’s Rico Morris’s mouth rather than his feet earning his club’s second caution of the evening. Still that had been forgotten by the time the evening’s only goal arrived ten minutes into the half. A Dulwich attack broke down and with Boreas at his back launched the ball deep into the Dulwich half. Beneath the dampened turf, the ground still lay summer dry and a booming bounce deceived Cumberbatch, who despite his spring, was left powerless as the ball bounced over him. Asombang, ever the poacher, was on his marks and dashed in like an ebony whippet to nick the ball past Lunan, left leaden footed, and turn the ball into the empty net.
“Protect the lead” came the rallying cry and Dulwich limbs felt the force of a Walton side unwilling to surrender a lead as they had done at Ashford two days previous in heartrending fashion. Borderline tackles incurred the wrath of the Hamlet faithful though Mr Scott erred on the side of leniency, particularly when the crack of boot on shin echoed around Waterside Drive as Weston felled Plummer, surviving with a mere caution. A less elegant foul, if a foul could be so, saw Michael Cayford concede the free kick in a threatening position, a yard or tow from the edge of the area. A low curling drive from Sol Patterson-Bohner drew gasps of pain as it swung low around the wall but a foot the wrong side of the upright.
The changes were rung, muscle in midfield, pace in attack, Fas Koroma for Fiddes, Carlton Murray Price for James, then Nwanze made way for Junior Kaffo. Urgency rang through as Dulwich strove for an equaliser though that opened up gaps behind and Hamlet had to call upon Lunan’s reflexes to prevent Weston knocking in the game killer.
A frantic final few minutes, drawn out by almost six minutes o added time, failed to see Hamlet steal in for a share of the points though they went mightily close. A right wing cross powerfully head on by Murray-Price found Simpson hared to the junction of the six yard box. Under pressure he scooped the ball goalwards from an acute angle but was =unable to beat Bradshaw who clawed the ball away at his near post. A corner ensued, a hurly-burly of boots and bodies in the box, but the ball scrambled away for a corner once more. Again delivery into the fiery furnace of the penalty area, again players went pell-mell after the ball but at the back post it was stabbed wide. Still hamlet hammered away but for all those late endeavours reward would elude them and last word belonged to Walton as Dulwich were almost caught out with two men arrived unchecked at the back of the box for a rightwing cross only for the ball to be skewed crazily off target.

Teams:
WCFC: Craig Bradshaw; Michael Cayford; Rico Morris; Craig Lewington (Capt); Jack Francis; John Ambridge; Rob Ursell; Liam Grier; Matt Weston; Victor Asombang; Sonny Farr
Substitutes not used: Elliot Ransom, Jamal Carr, Steve Douglas, James Kelch, Chris Kiganda

DHFC: Jamie Lunan; Sol Patterson-Bohner; Billy Chattaway; Alex Fiddes (Fas Koroma 70); Ryan Bernard (Capt); Marc Cumberbatch; Tyran James (Carlton Murray-Price 70); Stanley Muguo; Scott Simpson; Dan Nwanze (Junior Kaffo 80); Darryl Plummer
Subs not used Peter Martin; Danny Baldwinson (GK)

Scoring:
1-0 WCFC Victor Asombang 55th minute

Officials:
Referee: Mr Shaun Scott (Guildford, Surrey)
Assistant Referees: Mr Luis Pinto Nunes (Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey) & Mr Liam Walshe (Northwood,Middlesex)

Attendance: 106

Dulwich Hamlet 2 Eastbourne Town 1

Dulwich Hamlet 2 Eastbourne Town 1
Ryman Isthmian Division One South
Saturday 16th August 2008

Before kick-off a moving ceremony as the ashes of much-missed supporter Brian Weber were laid to rest beneath the Champion Hill turf, the plaintiff strains of Acker Bilk’s Stranger on the Shore drifting across the ground as supporters of all persuasions stood in reverent silence. And from his permanent vantage point behind the goal, Brian had the perfect view of the goals that would decide this tumultuous match, a typical groan might have emanated from beneath the sward as belligerent Eastbourne Town took an early lead in inelegant fashion as Jamie Lunan somehow allowed a scrambled Peter Cooper effort under his body. But second half brought renewed vigour from the Hamlet, pugilistic inspiration from the manager during the break, an inspirational change and Dulwich sprung into life with a goal fashioned in England but finished with true Gallic flair and punch from debutant Laurent Hamici, before, in stirring style, Dulwich’s Churchillian skipper Ryan Bernard larruped home a second to turn deficit into advantage. That victory might still have been surrendered but a harshly awarded penalty gave Lunan the chance of redemption, an opportunity he eagerly clasped as he dived full length to batter out substitute John Piercy’s well struck spot kick.
Ming the Merciless might have begrudged the summer, for having seen his charges finish the last campaign at the gallop, the close season, no matter how truncated it is in the era of 24/7, 365 football, meant that counted for naught as a new term began in earnest. The curse of Player of the Year had struck once more as Supporters’ choice, Meshach Nugent agonised before taking the tough decision to leave Champion Hill for Maidstone United whilst the Players’ pick, Benson Paka, the bull of the midfield pampas, finds himself person non grata. Missing too was the star in the striking firmament of last season’s closing acts, Charlie Taylor. Mr Edwards moves fast though, the fiery Gaul, Hamici paired with Walid Matata, a goalscorer supreme across the Kent Weald who now returns to his London roots. Also making his first full appearance for the Hamlet after personal circumstances had delayed his debut last campaign was Alex Fiddes, diminutive, greying at the temples, and a dead ringer for Mike the Cool Guy of Young Ones fame!
Whilst Hamlet flourished late, just too late, last term Eastbourne had struggled at the wrong end of the table, despite playing some of the more entertaining football in this division before breaking free of the relegation quicksand in the season’s end game. key players had been tempted away during the summer, Adam Wilde, tricky, pacy winger, off to Sutton United, disgruntled ‘keeper Greg Nessling usurped between the sticks by Russell Tanner, but this is a solid squad built of the blocks that won promotion to the Isthmian League, looking well fed alongside some of Dulwich’s more spindly individuals.
The expectation that crackled through the Pink and Blue contingent as the first whistle drew ever nearer was soon dampened as Eastbourne set of at a canter. Second minute and skipper Greg Manton was allowed to drift off his marker to flick on a free kick with a brush of the forehead, but direction and power provided little test for Lunan. He might though have had harsh words for his rearguard mere moments later when the ball was delivered into path of Jamie Salvidge, thundering through, a cracking drive beating the exposed custodian but sizzling a few feet too high of the crossbar. Dulwich forced a corner, Tanner thumping clear but only to Steve May who scuffed the ball back into the heart of the penalty area, Rob Wilkinson stabbing the ball goalwards at the back of the box only for Tanner to smother the life from the shot at the base of his upright.
A brief aberration as Eastbourne sprung back like a wounded cobra and had the lead on 11 minutes though Dulwich’s dismal defending played too great a role in the goal. Luke Denton unleashed the catapult, bombarding the box with an elongated throw that the defence failed to deal with. In an ungainly scramble in the six yard box Cooper got the decisive touch, the ball somehow creeping under a crestfallen Lunan’s body. Matters might have deteriorated further on the quarter hour but for a last-ditch tackle from Bernard, thrusting out a foot to block Cooper’s effort as the Town man dived in to meet a low left wing cross.
Frustration was building in Dulwich hearts, almost reaching boiling point when the Gallic blood of Hamici overtook his reason, an airborne challenge on Chris Dicker raising the spectre of a red card under FIFA’s edict of the week. Thankfully for Dulwich, the afternoon’s whistler belonged to the old school of refereeing; a school many thought had been lost with the beat bobby who would administer justice with a firm word and click round rather than a forest-decimating ream of paperwork. Mr Smith employed a schoolmasterly word, a booking, no more, no less. One fears though for the careers of those who referee with words and respect not rules and reds.
Luckless Daryl Plummer might well have found an equaliser twice within a trice but officialdom denied him. Sneaking in behind the defence to meet a long punt weakly flicked back in the direction of his ‘keeper by Eastbourne’s centre-half, Plummer almost nicked the ball past an onrushing Tanner but a offside flag was already up. Then he had the ball in the net as a long free kick dropped to him at the back of the box but teammate Billy Chattaway had already been penalised for pushing amidst the crowd awaiting delivery.
Despite a pre-match fitness test, newcomer Matata had clearly been struggling to keep the pace and on the half hour Dulwich were forced into a change with Scott Simpson unleashed upon the yellow-clad defence, injecting much needed dose of venom into the attack. It might have been that he would lose his strike partner Hamici when the Frenchman clashed with Eastbourne centre-half Ben Putland, a trifle petulant with a shoulder to shoulder charge upon the much larger man. Putland’s uncalled for response was to collapse to the floor holding his face in theatrical style, something that was obviously noted by Mr Smith for the feared second caution was not forthcoming. Once more a word of advice sufficed though Putland’s artifice seemingly went unpunished at the time, though his failure to get his tormentor dismissed from the field of play would return to haunt him later.
Having struggled to find rhythm and penetration Dulwich were now in command, looking desperately for that equaliser. Simpson’s zippy run took to the very brink of the box only to be strong-armed off the ball by Adam Davidson who refused to give up the chase. Form close range Wilkinson’s drive was blocked by a diving Tanner, before Plummer was once more caught offside as he nipped in to meet a long punt flicked on by his skipper.
Stirring words from the management at the break, a change in midfield with Wilkinson making way for Tyran James, the winger returning to his Champion Hill taking the right mantle of Grey Owl Fiddes, who moved into the engine room of midfield. It was a change that swiftly paid dividends as Dulwich scored the equaliser after seven minutes of the new half with an expertly crafted goal, finished with aplomb by the rampant Hamici. Plummer’s pinpoint pass released Chattaway overlapping down the left wing and in full flight past the yellow opposite. A pass picked out Hamici lurking beyond the bounds of the box and if Eastbourne expected the Hamlet hitman to bring the ball to them, they were in for an almighty shock as with the crack of a bullet the ball flew from the boot of Hamici, unerring, unwavering, straight in the far corner of net, leaving Tanner rooted, helpless as the net rippled behind him.
Hamlet had the fire now and came within a micron of a second goal before Eastbourne had a chance to draw breath; Plummer’s cross from the flank flicked on in the middle but volleyed a fraction too high from James standing on the far corner of the six yard box. It began Dulwich versus Tanner as he got down smartly to smoother a low curling drive from Plummer before pulling off a breathtaking reaction save from Simpson after he had swayed a defender’s close attentions. To disappointed gasps Simpson flicked a close range header over the bar in the next instant as Hamlet squeezed the tourniquet.
The Captain’s Call and 68 minutes brought the winner. Chaos caused in the visitors’ defence, defending too deeply as a corner was swung in. Amidst the mêlée Tanner made yet another save of quality amongst a flurry of feet but he should no chance as Bernard latched on the loose ball to larrup the ball through the legs of Tanner.
Eastbourne responded with replacements of their own, recharging their batteries and threatened to wipe out Hamlet’s hard-won advantage. An uncontested drop ball after Plummer had been bulldozed by Putland might have created an interesting dilemma had Denton’s booming drop kick not been safely gathered in by Lunan as it threatened to clear him. Having had a rest for a while Lunan was back in the thick of the action as from a corner Manton’s wickedly deflected effort seemed set to crawl over him until the big custodian stretched full out to claw the ball over the bar. Then Eastbourne were thrown a lifeline as a cross from the right struck Bernard as he leapt into its path, a hopeful cry from the yellow hoard, no more but the assistant referee felt a penalty was merited, drawing his flag across his chest as a judge might don the black cap. Protests came to naught, Mr Smith pointed to the spot and high noon at Hamlet as Piercy placed the ball, Frank Miller to Lunan’s Marshall Will Kane. Justice would prevail as Piercy drove for the bottom left-hand corner; Lunan outfoxed him and battered the ball away at the base of the post. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
The fighting spirit of the Town drained from them though Dulwich still feared more raids, going marauding is search of goals that would cushion their advantage and secure victory. The overworked Tanner, man of the match for Town, made two stupendous saves within a blink of the eye, denying James twice with an outstretched foot before getting his body behind a crisp strike from Simpson after Plummer and Chattaway had teamed up once more on the left. The need to preserve the lead meant such fanciful football made way for pragmatic possession, Dulwich toying with their guests deep in the corners as the clock was run down to victory.

Teams:
DHFC: Jamie Lunan, Steve May, Billy Chattaway, Robert Wilkinson (Tyran James HT), Ryan Bernard (Capt), Marc Cumberbatch, Alex Fiddes, Stanley Muguo, Laurent Hamici, Walid Matata (Scott Simpson 30), Daryl Plummer (Fasineh Koroma 90)
Substitutes not used: Junior Kaffo, Danny Baldwinson (GK)

ETFC: Russell Tanner, Adam Davidson (Nick Barden 70), Chris Dicker, Luke Denton, Ben Putland, Peter Featherstone, Mark Goodwin, Greg Manton (Capt), Jamie Salvidge, Peter Cooper, Simon Catt (John Piercy 70)
Substitutes not used: Charlie Francis, Sheldon Levett

Scoring:
1-0 ETFC Peter Cooper 11th Minute
1-1 DHFC Laurent Hamici 52nd minute
2-1 DHFC Ryan Bernard 68th minute

Officials:
Referee: Mr Robert Smith (New Addington, Surrey)
Assistant Referees: Mr Andrew Mawby (Woking, Surrey) & Mr Rod Chatfield (Addlestone, Surrey)

Attendance: 215

Wingate and Finchley 3 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Wingate and Finchley 3 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Saturday 9th August 2008
Pre-Season Challenge Match

With the season a week away this match was expected to see the framework of Craig Edwards’ opening XI but fate has conspired against the Hamlet manager with his striking options disrupting as Meshach Nugent was tempted away to bolster the attack of Premier Division Maidstone United. In his stead the Hamlet supremo has captured the signature of the prolific hitman Walid Matata, source of the Kent Weald but returning at last to his South London roots. Fate though still a poisoned arrow in her quiver for the newly arrived Matata was denied his first outing in Pink and Blue as he succumbed to injury, a fate that also befell other contenders for the Hamlet vanguard with both Laurent Hamici and Scott Simpson crocked. Also stuck on the sidelines were Stanley Muguo, Tyran James, Kyle Graham and Kevin Fox, though the omens for all the crocks are good as that first home game with Eastbourne Town looms ever closer.
Given the filthy weather conditions that battered exposed and inaptly named Summers Lane, drenching those supporters brave, nay foolhardy, enough to venture from the safety of the Harry Abrahams Stadium magnificent Art Deco stand, set a goodly distance back from the pitch side. For the players there was little if any respite from the lashing squalls but if the winds were cold the temperature of the match was high. Some players seemed determined to desert the rainswept sward as quickly as possible, tackles as close to those that now demand instant dismissal as to try the patience of referee Mr Mackey if not to the end of his tether at least to its penultimate fibres.
Wingate suffered an early blow an injury to their skipper Craig Ellis, the centre-half having hobbled to the dugouts as Dulwich took the lead with a fine goal, flowing up the left wing with the ball at his feet Billy Chattaway penetrated deep into the Blues’ flank. From the wing he whipped in a low ball towards the penalty spot, home keeper Callum Horton skidding out to gather naught but thin air as Tom Bolarinha stole in front of the prostrate custodian, nicking the ball away and, perhaps surprised as finding the goal gaping unguarded before him, tarrying a moment before neatly tucking the ball in the empty net.
Ellis was replaced by the rampaging Ahmet Rifat, who marked his arrival and the odd Hamlet limb with some crunching challenges which might have curtailed his cameo but for the clemency of the Man in Black, though even he must have tired of offering the gargantuan replacement repeated “final” warming.
Wingate’s Chris Chase flicked a marvellous diving header across the face of goal as Wingate looked for an equaliser but this ground is strange conundrum worthy of Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World for despite its pronounced slope sides attacking up it seem to prosper better than those whom it should favour. Seem was the case as the half sauntered on. A cracking header from Carlton Murray-Price, flinging himself full-length, flew a fraction too high. Then as the first 45 minutes drew its dying breathes Darryl Plummer somehow contrived to divert a ball the wrong side of the upright from mere feet out, out of vision of the horror-stricken wingman the assistant had briefly raised his flag as if to indicate offside but this provided little consolation to Plummer.
The blustering showers had not relented for the second half but at least the rag-tag battalions of the Hamlet had shelter as Dulwich attacked down the slope and into the teeth of the tempest. For the lee of the wind those supporters could only stare though the curtain of rain as defensive disaster after disaster gifted the hosts an equaliser within eight minutes of the restart. Hamlet has the chances to make a telling clearance, not once, not twice but thrice but spurned them all leaving Joe O’Brien to bundle the ball home after a colleague’s posterior had played the decisive pass.
The usual raft of substitutions followed, the peripatetic Sol Patterson-Bohner and Byron Thomas first to arrive, more would follow. Jamie Lunan made a cracking save with his feet to deny Chase the go-ahead goal for the Blues but was left standing when Chase met a right wing cross with a bullet header that had the Hamlet custodian beaten only to smack back off the crossbar.
Just as if it seemed a damp squib of a contest might peter out in an honourable, somehow the sodden gunpowder was lit and the fireworks went off in a cascade of goals throughout the final five minutes. Dulwich contributed to their own downfall as the defence went AWOL with a corner being bombed in and Rifat bundled a facile goal home. Less charitable referees might have already sent the big Wingate replacement to the sidelines as his crusade against anything Pink and Blue had continued unhindered by little more than an angry admonishment. Still if there were complaints about that goal from all angles, none but a churl could bemoan Wingate’s third barely seconds after the game had restarted, Daniel Clarke bringing down a long ball down the throat of the Hamlet defence, turning and unleashing a furious drop kick that gave Lunan not a ghost of a chance. At least a grain of consolation arrived with two minutes left, Ryan Bernard lashing the ball high into the roof of the net as Wingate showed they too could defend skipper poorly from corners.
Perhaps though this result had blown away some cobwebs from the Hamlet defence, bedrock of that late, fruitless charge last for this was the first competitive game of the pre-season campaign when the strongest rearguard had lined up together, Steve May, Bernard, Marc Cumberbatch and Chattaway.

Teams:
W&F: Callum Horton; Mark Weatherstone; Anthony Limbrick; Craig Ellis (Capt); Bobby Aisen; Michael Sacks; Steve Velandia; Tim Lees; Wayne Grant; Chris Chase; Joe O’Brien
Substitutes: Kieran Street; Ola Williams; Daniel Stanton; Ahmet Rifat; Jerome Boyce; Daniel Clarke; Dean Williams; Netanel Elraz (GK)

DHFC: Jamie Lunan; Steve May; Billy Chattaway; Fas Koroma; Ryan Bernard (Capt); Marc Cumberbatch; Tom Bolarinha; Junior Kaffo; Carlton Murray-Price; Alex Fiddes; Darryl Plummer
Substitutes used: Sol Patterson-Bohner; Mauri Rivera; Rob Wilkinson; Justin Fevrier; Simon St Aimie; Byron Thomas
Substitute not used: Dan Baldwinson (GK)

Officials:
Referee: Mr Michael Mackey
Assistant Referees: Mr Steve Renter & Mr Matthew Young

SUMMER 2008 - PRE SEASON ROUND UP, by Richard Strivens

As we come to the end of the summer break and another season looms on the horizon, the dust has almost settled around Craig Edwards's promotion hopefuls, as they hope to banish the past memories of failed promotion that still linger on from last season.
Indeed, Mr Edwards has been busy dealing in the transfer market, replacing departed players and bringing in fresh blood to hopefully spark a Hamlet Championship assault capable of outlasting its promotion rivals.
However, despite the highly encouraging end to the previous season, the squad that came inches away from a play off spot has taken heavy losses, much to the disappointment of many Hamlet fans.
First Team regulars such as Shayne Mangodza and Seb Schoburgh have been deemed surplus to requirements and duly released, with Schoburgh resurfacing at former club Welling United, despite rumours that he had joined promotion rivals Kingstonian. The creative and cunning Alex Martin has also departed, joining Essex side Takeley. Our Austrian-born predator Henry Darko also looks set to leave the club, despite rumours that he may stay at Dulwich for some part of the season, before departing home to his native Austria. As mentioned previously, tenacious midfielder Jason Hawes, leaves for pastures new, as he heads off to the USA. As well as these casualties, recent news that Benson Paka will not return has reached the terraces of Champion Hill, the hole that the tigerish, composed midfielder will leave has caused concern amongst supporters. It has since been revealed that Paka will not be able to play football this season for any club. The losses list continues, with Dulwich having to prepare for the coming season without the services of the nimble and speedy Osman Sesay, left back Ricky Dobson, striker Claudio De Almeida and centre half Tom Ababio.
Much doubt is left over other players futures. Mark Cumberbatch was reported as training with Staines Town and featured in one of their Pre-Season friendlies, despite it being confirmed that he will not sign for Middlesex outfit, concern is sweeping through the ranks of Dulwich supporters as to whether he will return to Champion Hill or not. Steve May is also reportedly attracting interest from Ryman League rivals Worthing, although this rumour was partly quenched after the seaside outfit signed former Hamlet right back Justin Gregory. Dagenham & Redbridge winger Kraig Rochester is also the topic of many conversations, due to the hope that the mercurial and zippy wide man may return for a full season after his ruthless displays in Pink 'n' Blue during the final acts of the season. However, nothing has been stated from the club that confirms whether or not the ex-Leicester City man will return. A major worry for the Dulwich faithful was the absence of Charlie Taylor and although it is unclear whether he will return to Dulwich, it has been discovered that Taylor will be available for selection in two weeks.
But, despite the many players that have left the Dulwich ranks, a fresh battalion of personnel has filled the voids left by Paka and company.
Edwards has scoured the Ryman League and other divisions for determined hopefuls, eager to make the cut for this year’s squad.
With last years triplet of goalkeepers returning - Tim Roberts, Sheikh Ceesay and Jamie Lunan, little to no work was needed to bolster the Hamlets last line of defence. Nevertheless, Edwards has decided to promote young David Baldwinson from the Youth Team and give the Hamlet youngster experience in Pre-Season training and 90 minutes against Sussex outfit Horsham YMCA.
After the departures of Mangodza, Dobson and Sesay, a handful of defenders have been brought in to be viewed by the Dulwich management team. Peter Martin, previously of Fisher, has impressed with his energetic displays at right back and provided vital cover for the - at the time - unavailable Steve May. Dwayne Gyiman, a powerful centre half, joins from Greenwich Borough, as well as Canadian Kyle Graham, who boasts an impressive footballing history on foreign soils. Gyiman featured for Dulwich in the friendly against Raynes Park Vale and was in the squad that travelled to face Carshalton at the London School of Economics playing fields, while Graham was also present against Raynes Park Vale; he has since played against Sutton United and Horsham YMCA and has given cool displays. Trialist Rob Wilkinson has given a brief, solo appearance so far this summer against professional titans Charlton after joining from relegated Molesey. He replaced Peter Martin in the latter part of the second half and featured as a right back. Full backs Simon St Aimie and Falah Malazadeh are the final trialists, fighting for his place at Dulwich's back line. Simon was previously of Dagenham & Redbridge and East Thurrock United and made his summer debut against Horsham YMCA and also made the squad for the home game against Sutton United. Whereas, Malazadeh has featured in the games against Raynes Park Vale and Horsham YMCA, producing fine displays on both flanks.
With an almost complete annihilation of Hamlet's midfield from last season, much work has been done to rejuvenate this area over the summer, as Stanley Muguo and Daryl Plummer were the only recognised midfielders left. Fas Koroma has resurfaced for Pre-Season preparations and at the time of writing is Hamlet's joint top scorer for the summer friendlies with 3 goals. The mastodonic Junior Kaffo has become an ever-present in the build up to the season, being selected for every match squad so far. Central midfielder Kaffo has joined from Blue Square South side Bromley. Edwards has also raided Ryman Premier Club Boreham Wood for young Mauri Rivera, who looks to be an exact replacement for the departed Jason Hawes. The vivacious livewire had broken into the first team at Boreham Wood and had made several substitute appearances. A surprise transfer for most Hamlet supporters has seen the ubiquitous Sol Patterson-Bohner return after spells with Croydon Athletic and Kingstonian. Patterson-Bohner returns to the club having made
22 appearances in last season’s campaign. Marvin Hong also appears to be fighting for his place to succeed the Hawes & Paka in Dulwich's engine, after featuring in a 3 friendlies so far. After the losses of Alex Martin and Seb Schoburgh and the unclear future of Kraig Rochester, an injection of speed and imagination was needed to replace these losses. Four wingers have been brought in as reinforcements to Dulwich's scarred flanks. Tyran James makes his return to a Pink 'n' Blue jersey, after featuring in Hamlet's youth side a few years ago alongside the omnipotent Simeon Jackson.
After spells with Tooting & Mitcham, Chatham and Molesey, the former MK Dons man has boomeranged back to Champion Hill in the hope that he can repeat his defence-tormenting performances that he produced years ago in the youth team. Nick Ogbanufe becomes the second former "Dagger" this summer to arrive at the glowing gates of Champion Hill, after reportedly picking Dulwich as his destination and glowing praise from Kraig Rochester. Ogbanufe is a more recent acquisition for Edwards, however, his solo performance against Horsham YMCA left many impressed. The third wide man to check in at Dulwich is Erron Dussard. Erron joins after boasting a wide range of Semi Professional clubs to his playing history including Ashford Town, Lewisham Borough and Cirencester Town. Like Kaffo, Dussard has also been selected for every match squad in Pre-Season so far. At the age of 17, Tom Boloriniua becomes the youngest winger on Dulwich's 1st team’s books at the moment.
Boloriniua has also made an instant impact, netting a fantastic strike against Ryman Premier Giants Sutton United.
Dulwich's strike force has also seen some changes as well. With the imminent departure of Henry Darko and worrying absence of Charlie Taylor, fresh blood has been shot into the Hamlet's frontline. The mesmerising Laurent Hamici has stormed into the new look Dulwich's attack, after arriving from Bromley.
The hit-man's previous clubs include Croydon Athletic and Carshalton Athletic. Youngster Kevin Fox has also played a part in Dulwich's Pre-Season, giving firm performances against Horsham YMCA and Raynes Park Vale, however, a knee injury kept him out of playing against Sutton United.
From Surrey, Edwards has recruited two more strikers - Scott Simpson and Carlton Murray-Price, both previously at Chipstead and Corinthian Casuals respectively. Dulwich were also trialing another attacker before Pre-season games started, a player that was very familiar with Dulwich supporters. But, although Shawn Beveney returned for summer training in the hope of re-establishing himself in the side he left weeks previously, it was decided that Beveney had become un-employable due to his very controversial departure during the latter part of the previous season.
So there we have it. The outline of Craig Edwards’s new promotion hunters. The trialists will have a few more days to impress Edwards before the opening league game to Eastbourne Town at Champion Hill on the 16 August 2008, when hopefully their preparation will have paid off.

Pretty (worrying) in pink

Marianne Kavanagh of the Daily Telegraph explores the sinister side of a favourite 'girly' colour
Barbara Cartland, candyfloss, strawberry milkshakes, flamingos - pink is sweet, cloying and faintly ridiculous. But little girls love it. Blame Barbie, or our willingness as parents to play along, but all little fairies are determinedly rose. Take Emily, three. "When I go into her bedroom," says Caroline, "it's like stepping into raspberry yogurt." A recent survey of 250 children by Kids Allowed child-care centres across the North-West found that 95 per cent of girls chose pink as their favourite colour.
It could all be conditioning. Nowadays we dress baby girls in pink and baby boys in blue (pre-1950, it was more likely to be the other way round), so our daughters are steeped in the colour from day one. Some claim our love of pink is hard-wired. Recent research by Professor Anya Hurlbert of Newcastle University found that women showed a marked preference for pink - or at least reddish shades of blue - because, she suggested, Stone Age women needed to recognise the bright blush of ripe fruit. And nothing much, according to this theory, has changed since the days of woolly mammoths.
But questions of nurture vs nature are academic when you don't have the choice and high street stores are dominated by sickly pinks and violent fuchsia. Sue, who has nine-year-old twin daughters, searches far and wide for alternatives. "Ailsa hated pink from the age of three and Freya was always indifferent because it was forced on them from every front and they rebelled."
You can't help wondering what all this pinkness is doing to the female psyche. Yes, we like pale pink nail varnish, according to a survey by Superdrug; yes, we like pink paint, according to Dulux. But pink phones, laptops and earphones? We're drowning in a sea of bubble gum.
There are signs of a backlash, says Susi Weaser, editor of the girls' gadget blog Shiny Shiny (www.shinyshiny.tv). "When we launched ShinyShiny about three years ago, we made the masthead pink because manufacturers were starting to launch pink gadgets and we thought it was exciting - finally they were recognising that women wanted to use technology, too. In the past year, it's become a bit naff - it's patronising and lazy. Teenage girls are still into pink, and more power to them, but if you walk into a business meeting and bring out a pink laptop, you're going to have to work ten times harder to hold your own."
Technology expert Caramel Quin agrees: "Pink products? It's a phase many tween girls go through, with Barbies and princess suits, but most grown women have no special love for the colour."
So do we need to worry if our daughters go through a phase of pink clothes, duvets, sheets and walls? "No," says psychologist Dr Jack Boyle. "It won't do them any harm. Small children think the genders should wear certain colours - they like to know the rules and prefer rigidity to flexibility. As they get older, they change their mind about their favourite colours every week."
But for some the issue has more sinister connotations, suggesting somehow that girls should confine themselves to princess-like prettiness rather than use their brains. Helen Haste, visiting professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education, talks of pink as cultural baggage.
"It's only gender-oriented in our culture," she says, "but like any cultural symbol, it sends out a message." The message gets more complicated as girls get older. Your teenage daughter may wear pink just because she likes it, but boys may see clues of extreme girliness. As Haste puts it: "Is pink the new blonde?" It's enough to make you want to ban pink from your daughter's life.
But remember that cultural associations, like fashions, change. The MCC is considering using a pink cricket ball for better visibility. And absolutely nothing is less frivolous than cricket.