Match report by John Lawrence

Dulwich progressed to the semi-finals of the Capital Senior Cup with this narrow victory over Leyton Orient in front of a healthy crowd of 222 at Champion Hill. A close-fought cup-tie was decided by a lone goal from Jo Gibson in the 20th minute.

After a quiet opening spell, Orient seized the initiative and a low cross-shot from the right flashed across the face of the Hamlet goal. A minute later, the visitors went even closer to taking the lead when an inswinging corner from Danielle Griffith struck the face of the Hamlet crossbar and rebounded into play.

But it was Dulwich who broke the deadlock with what proved the winning goal on 20 minutes, and what a fine goal it was. Skipper Brittany Saylor played a delightful pass inside the full-back to Havana McElvaine overlapping on the left and her pinpoint cross from near the corner flag was powerfully headed home by Jo Gibson from eight yards out. However, their higher-ranked opponents retaliated and seven minutes later it took a smart save from Marie Louis at her near post to protect the lead when Orient’s Ellie Stenning broke free down the left.

At the other end, Ana De Pelligrin went close with a shot that was deflected behind for a corner. But Orient finished the half strongly and only timely interceptions by Kiki Marino and Alison Rowe in the Hamlet penalty-area ensured Dulwich led at the break.

Although defensive lynchpin Kiki Marino was replaced for the second-half, the Hamlet rearguard, with Havana McElvaine outstanding, remained fairly solid. A dangerous cross from the Orient right was blocked and another opening was volleyed well wide of the target, but that was the extent of the visiting threat until the closing stages. Instead Hamlet upped their game and Lucy Monkman became an increasing problem for Orient with her runs down the right.

Substitute Raquel Arran missed a great chance on 70 minutes after robbing a defender but with only the ‘keeper to beat she shot wide. Later, successive shots from Raquel Arran were blocked before Rhea Gall blazed over the bar from the edge of the box. Back came the Os and Jasmine Auguste went close with a rising shot.

In a final flourish in stoppage time, a low shot from a visiting forward was well saved by Marie Louis before Sophie Le Marchand sent a near post header narrowly wide. But Hamlet survived and now wait to hear who their opponents will be in the semi-final.

Next up: Wednesday February 26th @ 19:45, vs Leyton Orient (A) - Mile End Stadium

Dulwich Hamlet: Marie Louis; Alison Rowe, Kiki Marino (sub: Ceylon Hickman 46 mins), Havana McElvaine, Jess Hand, Brittany Saylor (capt.), Rhea Gall, Ana De Pelligrin, Lucy Monkman, Jo Gibson (sub: Michaella Williams 75 mins), Sarah Milner (sub: Raquel Arran 61 mins). Subs not used – none.

Photo: Ollie Jarman