Dulwich Hamlet were defeated 2-1 against a strong Leyton Orient side in the Second Round of the Combined Counties Football League Cup. Two early goals put Orient in the driving seat and despite a spirited Hamlet performance for the remainder of the game, a late goal from Jess Hand was not enough.

Ryan Dempsey named seven changes to the XI who had started against Leyton Orient four days previously in the Capital Cup tie at Champion Hill. Defender Ceylon Hickman was handed her first start for the club after impressing during the second half on Sunday, while Raquel Arran returned to the starting lineup after several months out with injury.

On a bitterly cold night under the floodlights at the Mile End Stadium, Orient started strongly, keen to make amends for Sunday's 1-0 defeat. Egle Trezzi opened the scoring inside seven minutes with a good strike from the edge of the box. Maintaining the pressure, Ellie Stenning doubled their lead by following up from Marie Louis' save.

Dulwich responded well and the front three of Arran, Saskia Philp and Liz Wicks combined to create several chances. Wicks was magical to watch at times, ducking in-between Orient defenders, nutmegging them as she went. Hamlet's best chance came when Jo Gibson crafted out some space down the right and found Arran with her ball into the box, whose shot struck the post.

Philp was Dulwich's liveliest outlet in the second half and was on the end of several opportunities to get us back into the game. Wicks also had a lofting long-range strike saved with ten minutes to go.

Dempsey made three changes, with Ella Wales Bonner, Ana De Pellegrin and Jess Hand entering the mix. It was Hand who got on the scoresheet, prodding home from close range as the clock struck down. Unfortunately for Dulwich, the scoreline remained at 2-1.

Speaking after the game, Dempsey said, "It was a little frustrating as I feel we deserved something out of the game - especially after the second half performance. Overall I'm really pleased. Over the two games against Orient, the whole squad got 60 mins, so I'm happy about that. We just need to be more clinical in future."

Next up: Saltdean United (A) - Sunday 1st March, 14:00

Dulwich Hamlet: Marie Louis; Alison Rowe, Ceylon Hickman, Harriet Crofts, Michaella Williams, Rosie Stone (c), Rhea Gall (for Jess Hand), Jo Gibson (for Ella Wales Bonner), Raquel Arran (for Ana De Pelligrin), Liz Wicks, Saskia Philp.
Subs not used – Lucy Monkman, Sarah Milner.

Photo: Liam Asman