DOVER BOYS ON TOP AS HAMLET SUCCUMB

25.07.10

Dulwich Hamlet 0 Dover Athletic 2

Saturday 24^th July 2010

A bright solstice sun warming a crystal clear summer's day at the Hill as the preseason preparations moved up a gear with the arrival of the Kentish giants from Dover. The greensward verdant whilst across the realm grass is burnt umber by unforgiving sun as it awaits the absent rain. With a cooling zephyr lolling across the arena, at least the burning sun was prevented from stultifying the football on display.

Away from the first outing, the Redhill cauldron, football watching today was peaceful pasture after Slaughterhouse Five. This would be a true test for Gavin Rose's men as they ready themselves for the assault on promotion back to the Ryman Premier Division after languishing so long in the boondocks of the South. The side has been appended with acumen and experience, former Tooting number one, Dave King, looming large between the sticks, the latest to augment the Rose regime as he joined the likes of David Moore, Luke Hickey and today's skipper, Francis Duku, all returning to the Pink and Blue ranks.

In the opposition ranks it has been a turbulent summer at the Crabble in the wake of once-feted Andy Hessenthaler's acrimonious departure to Gillingham. The baton has been passed to Martin Hayes and the erstwhile Gunner has been busily rebuilding the temple as Dover attempt to put play-offs pains behind them and take the next step up in the resurgent revival from the jaws of extinction. Least to be trialled by the new manager was Danny Bunce, once of Icarus club Grays Athletics, who came in at left back though his starting XI drew from the same squad that had sneaked past Maidstone in midweek with minor shuffles as starter then waited on the bench for their chance to impress.

Dulwich started at the gallop and as the Dovorians struggled to gain and early foothold in the centre of the park the Hamlet took advantage only to despoil their display with some slack distribution in the final third. An excellent ball in from the right flank looked destined for the head of Justin Bowen, the conversion to centre forward surely now permanent, but a determined defensive header flicked the ball away from his at the vital moment.

Advancing forward new boy Bunce clipped in an enticing delivery for the pacey Adam Birchall but the ball eluded him and defensive duties were done. Dover were starting to find their feet and with le petit Napoleon, Jon Wallis, taking the reins in midfield the visitors' moves were starting to look evermore ominous. On the quarter hour, Birchall was sent scampering way on the right, the striker drilling the ball low across the face of the box. Striker partner Elliott Charles dummied a shot leaving the ball to run for Wallis who hit a cracking derive from distance that took a flick off a defender to zip fractionally wide of King's right stick for a corner.

Dulwich responded in the shape of Kevin James who picked up a ball won by Gerry Gonnella in the centre, darting in from the flank through the ranks of reds, audaciously attempting a drive from 25 yards out only for phalanx of Dover defenders to charge down his effort.

Neither 'keeper had been truly tested as yet, King dealing nonchalantly with some testing Dover corners, opposite number Ross Flitney ably protected by his rearguard. However, on 22 minutes, the visiting custodian was forced into brave action as he went in low to snatch the ball off the feet of Moore as the returning winger escaped from the shackles of the Dover defence.

Lively Luke l'Anson shortly finessed a curling, lofted ball, threaded through a space in the Hamlet ranks, picking out the sprightly Birchall but before he get off a shot the tackles flew in to deny him. The Dover machine was moving into top gear and not long after Dean Hill rose highest to crack a meaty header after the woodwork. The tourniquet tightened as Birchall slipped the ball out to l'Anson, marauding on the right. A flawless cross picked out the waiting Charles but somehow flicked the ball into No Man's Land from barely a yard. To his relief the flag of the assistant referee spared his blushes.

Pre-season it may be but Wallis, orchestrating midfield in imperious fashion must have heard the words of the "Petit Caporal" – "Death is nothing, but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily." Tackles won, pirouettes and passes, no mere morsels for his wingers to feed upon but a hearty repast that kept the warning lights on in the Hamlet defence.

An over-hit back pass from Yinka Salami gave King but a fleeting glance at the ball as it rocketed past him and late on Dulwich had the thumbscrews racked up a notch. Birchall lost control in a manifest scoring position. Mat Fish had a shot blocked in a frenzied six-yard box before Hill somehow contrived to flick the ball away from the goal as he dived after it at the far upright.

Dulwich resisted wholesale changes at the break with only Moore making way for Ellis Wilson-Joseph. Hayes on the other hand swept through the ranks with the vigour of Hercules in the Augean Stables, with just five players surviving the cull to start the second half. Perhaps it was the fresher legs that told for within five minutes the deadlock had been broken with a goal so exquisitely worked that it was a shame to be unveiled before the season proper. The trajectory of Wallis' corner looked to have been too low to discomfort the Hamlet goal but Fish tidily helped the ball on at the near post, hooking the ball across the face of goal to the back of the six yard box where the waiting Jackson Ohakam stopped to bullet home a header inside the far post. The goal was a catalyst for a Dover onslaught. Two minutes later and Birchall danced in from the left wing to hammer a low drive that seemed on its way inside King's near post until the biog custodian reacted smartly to scoop the ball away. The corner provided more peril and, in the mêlée, a fierce drive was blocked on the goal line.

Since the break Birchall had been married with a new partner in the van, onetime Dulwich Hamlet junior, Ben Hunt, and the pair came together well as the latter set up the former to bend out a curler from distance, deflected wide. From the resultant corner, Wallis rattled the ball just over from Sam Cutler's layback.

Though Hamlet often found themselves stifled in midfield, they found a threat on the flanks and when either Sol Pinnock, left, or substitute, Nyren Clunis, right, could sight a chink of light Dover goal found itself under aerial bombardment. Out left Pinnock fed Gonnella inside, the ball in turn set up for Wilson-Joseph whose dipped in pass proved just too strong form Bowen to latch on to before Flitney was out to gather. Pinnock again at the fore, a deep cross from the left met a Bowen climbing at the back of the box but blocked by the head of an unknowing defender. Clunis tried to lash home the dropping ball in the ensuing chaos but could not quite get his leg over to force it home.

Dover rallied and Birchall was denied the goal his industry deserved when he struck the woodwork with a shot from a tight angle after he had been slipped one in the right pocket.

In the closing ten minutes both sides took the opportunity to refresh their custodians, Flitney off for young Academy 'keeper Ben Humphrey whilst, for King, Dulwich sent on an anonymous trialist who shall now go under the sobriquet of Terry Teflon. In his ten minutes of trial, the newcomer managed more heart murmuring moments than some of the Hamlet more eccentric number ones have in whole seasons, regularly rushing from his area after through balls far from his goal. Fortune favoured him with three minutes left as Birchall wheedled his way ahead of Osa Obamwonyi to a through ball only to smash the ball against the upright with just the goalie to beat. However, 60 seconds later he redeemed himself as he drilled an angled shot just inside the far upright underneath the body of a 'keeper spreading his legs in a vain attempt to block with an outstretched boot. More blood rushes from the unknown 'keeper moments later gave Hunt the chance to extend the lead but with the angle against him, the ball was smacked into the side netting. Thankfully those Hamlet fans weak of heart were spared more of this tomfoolery by the final whistle of Mr Wright, the almost anonymous man in black whose cerebrate referring had contributed much to a pleasurable contest that flowed and burbled like a gentle summer's brook.

Dulwich Hamlet: Dave King (A N Other 84 minutes), Kalvin Morath-Gibbs, Yinka Salami, Gerry Gonnella, Francis Duku (C) (Ellis Wilson-Joseph HT), Osa Obamwonyi, David Moore (Nyren Clunis HT), Luke Hickie, Justin Bowen (Junior Kadi 79 minutes), Kevin James (Suliaman Bangura HT), Sol Pinnock (A Trialist 79 minutes).

Dover Athletic: Ross Flitney (Ben Humphrey 82 minutes), Matt Fish, Danny Bunce (Tom Wynter, HT), Jon Wallis, Olly Schulz (Rob Gillman HT), Dean Hill (C) (James Rogers 82 minutes), Luke l'Anson (Jackson Ohakam, HT), Joe Tabiri (Sam Cutler, HT), Elliott Charles (Ben Hunt HT), Adam Birchall, James Rogers (Anthony Jack HT).

Goalscoring:

1-0 DAFC Jackson Ohakam 50 minutes

2-0 DAFC Adam Birchall 89 minutes

Referee: Mr. Ben Wright

Assistants: Mr. Ronald Albert and Mr. Michael Stevens

Attendance: 150