Sunday 21 November 2021
London Capital Cup

It’s been a somewhat rocky road for Dulwich Hamlet recently. Regular viewers know the depth in this squad, and their first two seasons saw them settle in comfortably at the top of the table, choosing furniture and picking out paint colours (pink and a handsome shade of navy, obvs). This season the mojo has been shakier: why? Injured stalwarts, talented new signings still building chemistry with each other? Growing excellence from other teams? The depressing skulduggery that denied them a well-earned promotion last season? It could be all or none of the above, but the Hamlet haven’t quite seemed themselves - until today. Spare a thought for London Seaward, who rolled into town the day Dulwich got their devil back. The former Leyton Orient players dwell in the next league up, which fazed the Hamlet less than none.

Dulwich were off the starting block with speed, chancing a shot past the goal in the first minute. Both teams tested each others’ defences, Seaward keeper Elleah Fenner saving Rosie Stone’s free kick, and the dependable Chana Hinds rerouting a dangerous looking Hayley Barton in the box. Ellie Millbourn set out her stall for her home debut, shaking off her mark and creating some mischief in the box. Her creativity paid off - minutes later, she marked her card with a goal at 19’, cleanly finishing a direct run into the box.

It set the tone for Dulwich, who kept Seaward on the back foot as they tried out a string of ideas - a cheeky go at a brace from Millbourn, a long shot from Sophie Manzi, and Anna Jowle looking for her own way into the box. Seaward could find no traction in midfield, thwarted by Harriet Crofts defending high up the pitch. In the 30th, it seemed Seaward would find the counterbalance, but couldn’t drive a ricocheting ball anywhere closer than the crossbar. Dulwich were having none of it, and Anna Stones reasserted dominance with a gorgeous sliding tackle. Sadly the referee showed little appreciation for great art, and handed Seaward a free kick from midfield. Egle Trezzi’s optimistic strike was powerful but comfortably wide.

With halftime bearing down, Seaward raced to find an equaliser; no through route down the wing, with Hinds guarding the left flank, and Saskia Reeves-Priestley saw off a player casing the right edge of the box. Dulwich returned to the locker room clutching the advantage.

If the East Londoners thought the second half would bring redemption, their hopes lasted seconds. Manzi closed on the edge of the area in the 46th and slammed a shot into the back of the net, making short work of a well-aimed dive by Fenner. London Seaward saw the urgency of finding a foothold in the game, and regrouped. The chances volleyed box-to-box as both teams tried to wrest control, Asia Harbour-Brown trying for a third Dulwich goal, and Niamh Carty looking for a Seaward opener. The visitors’ efforts delivered - Seaward opened their account at 57 minutes with Giorgia Bracelli’s shot which slipped sneakily past Reeves-Priestley.

Dulwich had tasted victory, and were not handing it back. Seaward, revitalised, pounded at the Dulwich defences, but the home side’s organised approach kept the score locked down. Chana Hinds beat three hungry midfielders in a pounding run down the wing, while Harbour-Brown and Stones relayed back and forth across the field to set up opportunities. Hayley Barton fought to level the score, but a misjudged strike and a fearless save off the line from Reeves-Priestley dulled her chances. A subbed-in Hannah Baptiste brought reinforcements, providing back-up to the hardworking Hinds, giving Dulwich room to scope out their next opportunity.

Desperation started to show for Seaward. An ill-judged foul on Rosie Stone handed her a free kick, which skipped over the bar. Harbour-Brown outsmarted her mark with some canny footwork, and a vicious tackle sent her flying moments later as fury and panic started to dominate the visitor’s tactics. Manzi’s free kick was knocked out of orbit by a doozy of a save, but Dulwich kept their cool, trusting in their game plan, and the coordinated approach paid off beautifully. In the twilight minutes, Baptiste made magic of a corner, heading it deftly into the net to put Dulwich 3-1 up at 84 minutes. A furious Kate Kerr showed her temper, trying to kick a placed ball away from Manzi. Dulwich had the last laugh - a triumphant Lucy Monkman finished a perfect Harbour-Brown cross with a neat tap-in at the 89th to seal the deal for the Hamlet.

Dulwich were organised, focused, determined, read each other effectively and converted their chances with flair. An exceptional team effort, with the younger players showing imagination and commitment and gelling neatly with the more established players - this is the team we know and love. Seaward fought hard, but a lack of discipline undressed them. They let temper derail their grit and knock them off balance when they most needed to regain their footing. For Dulwich it’s a much needed restorative, a ride into the next round of the Cup, and the reminder they and we needed that this team has the chemistry to bring the fight to the rest of the season.

Attendance: 238

Dulwich Hamlet:
1 Saskia Reeves-Priestley; 4 Chana Hinds; 5 Rosie Stone; 6 Sarah Walters; 9 Sophia Manzi (c); 10 Anna Jowle; 11 Anna Stones; 12 Minnie Crutwell; 16 Ellie Millbourn; 18 Asia Harbour-Brown; 20 Harriet Crofts

Subs:
14 Lucy Monkman; 15 Hannah Baptiste; 17 Sarah Milner; 19 Jordan Williamson; 21 Jazmine Lacrette

London Seaward:
6 Giorgia Bracelli; 8 Egle Trezzi; 10 Hayley Barton; 11 Kayleigh Xidhas; 13 Kate Kerr; 15 Elleah Fenner (keeper); 25 Skye McNally; 26 Maisie Cannon; 30 Ash Marchant; 34 Felicia Lodin; 36 Gemma Howes;

Subs:
3 Cheryl Anderson; 23 Niamh Carty; 39 Seren Ahmet

Referees: Anjam Mirza

Photo: Liam Asman