Sunday 28th September
London & South East Regional Women's Premier League

Dulwich Hamlet continued their 100% start to the 2020/21 season with a 3-0 victory away to QPR. The result against our London rivals means we stay top of the League.

Dulwich opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes, as Lucy Monkman jumped on a stray pass from goalkeeper Carla Henderson and finished calmly. The team then kept up the pressure, with Harriet Crofts going close with a header shortly after.

Just before the half hour mark, Rosie Stone's corner was met by Sas Philp who headed home for her fourth goal in two games - her 10th for the club in total. At the other end, goalkeeper Klaudia Kovacs, who was making her debut for the Dulwich 1st team, pulled off a decent save from Katie Akerman's long range effort.

Dulwich kept their focus in the second half and Ella Wales Bonner scored the third, slotting home from Sophie Manzi's pass, to seal all three points for Dulwich. Having lost 2-1 away to QPR last season after two late goals, revenge had been secured with a clean sheet.

Speaking after the game, manager Ryan Dempsey said:

"The result and performance was really pleasing against QPR. We limited them to only a couple of chances and felt we controlled the game. It took 15-20 minutes to get used to their formations but we managed to switch the ball better and use our full backs to get out."

"In the second half, QPR changed their formation to match us and we found it more difficult but what pleased me was our game management, we played a little longer to help us get up the pitch and not give QPR any encouragement to try and press which they can do well. We took our chances and could have scored a couple more but for some good saves from their goalkeeper."

"I thought everyone played well and contributed well. Klaudia, making her first start for the firsts since I came in, displayed calmness and composure. Ella was outstanding, and in my opinion the best player on the pitch. An encouraging start to the season and we’re looking forward to continuing to develop through the season."

Dulwich Hamlet:
Klaudia Kovacs, Havana McElvaine, Harriet Crofts, Sarah Walters, Ali Rowe, Brit Saylor, Rosie Stone (for Jess Hand), Ella Wales Bonner (for Ana de Pellegrin), Sas Philp (for Jo Gibson), Lucy Monkman, Sophie Manzi (for Michaella Williams).
Subs not used: Ceylon Hickman.

QPR:
Henderson, Dench (Carolan), Peacock, Grieve, Johnson, Akerman (Moore), Petit (Hall 45’), Dickens (Redhead-Ling), Hennessy (Skiverton), Searle, Davies.

Photo: Liam Asman