With Marie Louis lining up in goal for the injured Kate Aldridge, Dulwich made a strong start to the game as Sarah Milner and Catherine Campbell both created chances.

The opening goal came after 20 minutes, as Saskia Philip spread the play to Raqi Arran down the right wing, whose cross was met by an expertly-placed header from captain Brit Saylor. Saylor raised both hands in celebration of a well-worked team goal and she was quickly mobbed by the rest of her teammates.

Not long after, Arran added a goal herself, connecting with Rosie Stone’s corner to volley past the goalkeeper. Stone’s set-pieces continued to be a handful for Saltdean as minutes later her freekick was flicked into the net by one of their defenders.

Dulwich refused to take their foot off the gas and Arran played a sumptuous ball across the face of goal for Milner to finish and give the Hamlet a 4-0 lead at half-time.

After the break, Dulwich were happy to sit and control the game, safe in the knowledge that the hard work was done. Lucy Monkman, returning from injury, came on for the final 20 minutes and also got on the scoresheet with a clever flick from Campbell’s ball into the box.

Raqi Arran was named as the Player of the Match after an impressive display that featured a goal and two assists. However, this was very much a team performance from the whole Dulwich team.

The result sees Dulwich rise to the top of the London & South East Regional Women's Premier Division - although QPR, in second, have two games in hand. Dulwich travel there next Sunday at 2pm at the QPR FC Training Ground (Sipson Lane, Harlington, Midddlesex UB3 5AQ).

We are back home at Champion Hill the following Sunday 27th October at 2pm against Ashford Town.

[b]Dulwich Hamlet[/b]: Marie Louis, Helen Bellfield, Allison Rowe (‘64 Michaella Williams), Monique Marino, Harriet Crofts, Roisin Stone (‘64 Ella Bonner), Brittany Saylor (‘69 Lucy Monkman), Catherine Campbell, Saskia Philp (‘77 Joanna Gibson), Sarah Milner (‘59 Ana de Pellegrin), Raquel Arran.

[b]Photo[/b]: Ollie Jarman