Match report by Sue Plain

A fixture switch to a 3G pitch took us to Worthing’s Woodside Road stadium, where we were well catered for – thanks go to our hosts.

Perhaps the knowledge that top of the table was in grasp unsettled the players, or perhaps it was two and a half hours sat on a bus but Dulwich didn’t play their best football in the first half. That said we opened bright enough, Dulwich pressed with a succession of 3 corners, Ana de Pellagrin striking the bar.

It took Saltdean 10 minutes to show any threat. They took confidence from this and Dulwich were having to mind the shop – a great clearing header from Kiki Marino saving Marie Louis any sweat in goal. The threat continued and in the 21st minute the home side appealed with conviction for a penalty after a one sided “shoulder to shoulder” in the box. Thankfully the referee was feeling generous to Dulwich and “play on” was ordered. More Saltdean possession followed, this time it was Rhea Gall rising to clear with her head - a sign of aerial ability to come.

When Dulwich took possession we were disjointed struggling to find flow and connection. Saskia Philp broke free but buried the ball deep in the keeper’s midriff. We were vulnerable to Saltdean breaks. Saltdean’s Billie Phillpot found herself clean through twice but hesitated and was lost.

The second half started much the same as the first. End to end but without build up. Again Billie Phillpot was free to fire off a shot, this time aiming at the keeper. On 64 minutes Ryan Dempsey replaced Rosie Stone with Ella Bonner and with one more in attack Dulwich started to show more spice and variety.

We were still under threat with a Saltdean cross flying right across the goal. Saltdean rested Billie Phillpot on 68 mins replaced by Liv Walker. A Saltdean free kick from a useful position didn’t clear our wall. Dulwich kept at them and with the skies darkening and the clock ticking urgency started to show. Horizontal rain and hail stung Dulwich into life and we started to fizz. On the 84 min, Rhea Gall rising in a crowded box to meet a superb corner from Saskia Philp with power and direction. 0 – 1.

No chance to sit back and play out the game. Saltdean kept coming and Dulwich were defending. With 5 minutes to go Billie Phillpot returned in place of Maddy Zahra and supporters had an anxious few minutes. Then in the last minute of added time Rebecca Fickling, called up from the reserve team for her debut, calmly slotted a goal neatly along the deck. 0 - 2. Job done. Working hard for the result and not giving in when things weren't going to plan showed great character. We are Top of the League!

Next up: Sunday March 15th @ 14:00, vs Crystal Palace (H) - Champion Hill

Photo: Liam Asman