Sunday 20th September
FA Cup Second Preliminary Round

High noon (well, two o’clock) in enemy territory, and the intrepid pink and blue army crossed the river and pressed north into Hackney Marshes for their second FA Cup skirmish. The first preliminary against Margate two weeks ago was a decisive flattening. This time round, although the Hamlet would snatch the win, it was never so certain.

At this level, away jaunts are an intrepid undertaking, and fans and players never quite know what they’ll encounter. Yesterday, on the Marshes’ famous spread of 88 pitches, it was vicious potholes and an opposing team who, though lower down the rankings, were determined not to give an inch. Hackney WFC have been around since 1986, as the first women-run and fully out team in the UK, and showed a grit that reflected that heritage.

At the outset, Dulwich looked like the better organised team, with Saskia Philp charging at Hackney’s somewhat bitty defence and escaping a throng of them with some nifty footwork. At 13 minutes, Philp put the first goal on the table – an unguarded strike that Hackney goalkeeper Sam Lowes could do nothing about.

Hackney were having none of it; striker Kea Felix, who would prove to be a thorn in the Hamlet’s side all match, took a dangerous run down the left flank which had to be defused by Ceylon Hickman and new signing Alex Newman. Hackney regrouped, and when Dulwich lost possession, Clara Aklouche seized the moment and levelled the score at 20 minutes for Hackney.

That set the tone for the rest of the match. Though Dulwich regained the lead at 21 mins with another punchy goal for Philp, and doubled it with Sophie Manzi’s first goal of the game a minute later, Hackney threw blood, sweat, tears (and almost a punch at one stage, in a sideline flare-up at some observers who interrupted the game with a stray football) and a never-say-die attitude at the game. Their fortunes took a knock when a missing chunk of pitch took out Megan Kennedy – she played on briefly but was subbed off shortly afterward.

Hackney seemed determined to score again but Dulwich kept them locked out for the rest of the first half, their rock-solid defence taking the sting out of repeated attempts by Felix and Aklouche.

The second half saw things heat up. Dulwich stayed organised against a refreshed Hackney, but the atmosphere got chippy; Sarah Walters clashed heads with Felix, and moments later Manzi got knocked down. Hackney’s Lizzie Tucker threatened a goal but Michaella Williams cleared it away smartly, and hauling the ball back toward the opposing end, Lucy Monkman’s sneaky run from the left caught Lowes completely off guard at 6 minutes to make it 4-1.

Ali Rowe was subbed on and immediately got pulled into a rivalry with a visibly annoyed Tucker, marking her with laser precision. Hackney’s frustration got the better of them and they gave up a penalty which Manzi converted in the 70th. Hackney weren’t done, though. Terriers to the bitter end, they kept up the attack, and Felix finally got the goal she’d been chasing all match, with a fast run that the Hamlet couldn’t shut down and a clean finish at 77 minutes.

Were Dulwich going to let Hackney have the last word? Not in this lifetime. Walters kept Felix under lock and key to prevent any more flourishes from her, and Philp had the final say with a 90th minute goal to net herself a hat-trick and a decisive 6-2 result for Dulwich Hamlet against a ferocious side that refused to let a stronger team faze them.

Dulwich’s defensive strength, stamina and technical ability won the day, but their opponents remain one to watch; their team chemistry and relentless spirit, and some crafty play from a dangerous front line, made them a threat to the Hamlet. For now, Dulwich progress to the FA Cup First Round draw and meet Lancing on October 4th. The scheduled home league match against Fulham will be rescheduled.

Dulwich Hamlet:
1 Marie Louis; 2 Alex Newman; 3 Michaella Williams; 5 Rosie Stone (capt); 6 Sarah Walters; 7 Saskia Philp; 9 Sophie Manzi; 12 Ceylon Hickman; 13 Jess Hand; 14 Lucy Monkman; 16 Ella Wales Bonner
Subs: 17 Sarah Milner; 18 Havana McElvaine; 2 Harriet Crofts; 21 Ali Rowe; 22 Jo Gibson

Hackney:
1 Sam Lowe; 2 Francesca Cagetti; 6 Clara Aklouche; 7 Kea Felix; 8 Becky McCready; 9 Natalie White; 10; Sarah Garlick; 11 Megan Kennedy; 12 Jade Perrin; 14 Tash Hippolyte; 15 Katherine McKenna
Subs: Lucine Batikyan; 5 Helen King; 17 Lizzie Tucker

Referee: Ben Kelly
Assistant referees: Tanya White, Emre Arslan

Photo: Liam Asman