Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJQIwZ3A4EI
Sunday 18th October

A socially distanced entrance queue stretching down the road, striped scarves flying out of the Mega Container (open for the first time this season, merch fans) and a booze trolley making its merry rounds: there was a festival buzz as the Hamlet prepared to take on the auld enemy, Leyton Orient, in what would prove to be their most challenging FA Cup battle yet. Dulwich already enjoy impressive crowd numbers at this level in women’s football, but yesterday marked a new watershed. With the doors closed for DHFC men’s matches, the team more than doubled their typical Sunday attendance as a crowd of 582 came out to watch.

Leyton Orient have proved a stiff opponent before. Sitting in the next league up, the two teams are evenly matched, and their last few meetings have been a tussle for control, with Dulwich prevailing at home in February, but Leyton doing it on a cold night in Mile End two weeks later.

Nobody expected yesterday to be easy. Dulwich started aggressively, going for gold in the opening minutes with Havana McElvaine creating a tasty chance from the corner and Sarah Milner battling for a spot on the scoreboard. That would become a running theme, but Orient goalie Naomi Ogunde was in the right place at the right time and snatched the ball away.

Disaster struck early for the Hamlet; in the 7th minute, Katherine Long snaked a deft shot between two Hamlet defenders, catching Klaudia Kovacs off guard to give Leyton the lead. Dulwich were quick to seek retaliation, drawing a free kick immediately afterward, but it sailed sky high. While the team packs plenty of foreground talent, recent successes benefited from pure 9 Sophie Manzi, now out on suspension, and it may be they haven’t quite worked out the best way to compensate. Milner was relentless in her pursuit of a goal, but Leyton brought a cast-iron backline, and gave her no room to surprise the keeper.

McElvaine tried a different tactic – a heart-stopping long ball from midfield that Ogunde had to punch uncertainly out of the way. Leyton learned their lesson, and tried to contain Dulwich in midfield as much as possible, setting the tone for a fierce battle of wills. Kovacs wasn’t tested much; though fast winger Nyara Denny had her eyes on the prize, Ali Rowe marked her with fierce precision. Orient’s tactic seemed to be to grit their teeth and hold back the hosts by any means necessary, with pincer movements in midfield and swarming them in the box to dampen every chance to score. “There but no further” was the strategy as half-time approached. Leyton nearly sealed the deal at the 42nd minute, flipping the action with a very dangerous ball that might have found the back of the Hamlet net if Kovacs, already off her line, hadn’t been handily placed to stop the shot with her body.

Orient returned from the break in a feisty mood. Skye McNally’s egregious tackle on Sas Philp drew a deserved yellow, and the Hamlet fought to restore the balance, subbing on Rosie Stone and continuing to hammer at the gates of the Orient. Leyton introduced a powerful-looking forward, Claudia Zahui, but luck had other ideas; a rocket of a free kick from McElvaine caught her square in the forehead, and she was on her feet again for mere moments before play was stopped to check her for concussion. Dulwich fought to the end for that life-saving goal, but a tired Leyton held them off to the last, securing their place in the next round.

As the ground emptied, the mood at Champion Hill remained buoyant. While the final whistle ultimately brought disappointment and an end to this year’s FA Cup dreams for south London’s finest, yesterday was a success story nonetheless, with people voting firmly with their feet and wallets for women’s football, and Champion Hill showing that, with robust safety measures and well-trained staff and volunteers, it is possible to safely host a happy crowd of ardent football supporters and keep the lights on for the game we love so dearly.

Next match: 25th October, vs Ashford Town
Next home match: 1st November, vs Dartford

Attendance: 582

Dulwich Hamlet:
1 Klaudia Kovacs; 6 Sarah Walters; 7 Saskia Philp; 8 Brit Saylor (capt); 13 Jess Hand; 14 Lucy Monkman; 17 Sarah Milner; 18 Havana McElvaine; 20 Harriet Crofts; 21 Ali Rowe; 22 Jo Gibson;
Subs used: 3 Michaella Williams; 4 Zoe Ellmore; 5 Rosie Stone; 12 Ceylon Hickman; 19 Jordan Williamson
Subs not used: None
Yellow cards: Havana McElvaine

Leyton Orient
1 Naomi Ogunde; 7 Nyara Denny; 8 Egle Trezzi; 11 Kayleigh Xidhas; 15 Lauren Heria; 17 Sophie Lee; 2 Michelle Young; 26 Cheryl Anderson; 37 Skye McNally; 39 Katherine Long; 49 Kate Kerr
Subs used: 22 Allison McCann; 31 Naomi Feltham; 34 Claudia Zahui
Yellow cards: Skye McNally

Referee: Adriana Bucar, Scott Sanders, Jawahir Roble

Photo: Liam Asman