Academy lads retain FCYA Divisional Title in bizarre fashion

A tale of two penalties, one for Dulwich contested then converted, one for the opposition, awarded then denied, as Dulwich youth lifted the silverware

Leading from an early Shawn McCoulsky finish, there looked to be little danger to the Hamlet's title aspirations but failing to build on their lead before the break Dulwich allowed Eastbourne Borough to gradually gain a foothold in the game. The visitors' goalkeeper was in excellent form commanding on crosses and making a number of fine stops to deny Dulwich's forwards. Even when beaten he had the woodwork to come to his rescue Shawn McCoulsky's snap shot coming back off the outside of the upright. And then, bang on the stroke of half time, lax defending allowed Borough an opening and after a fine shot low into the bottom far corner Dulwich found themselves pegged back to 1-1 as the sides headed for the dressing rooms.

With long time leaders Dartford Reds also in action away to Fulham (Sedgehill), Dulwich had to make sure of the win to make sure of the title. However late in a second half littered with half chances and last gasp defending came a bizarre moment than 'keeper Ediz Hoca will not care to remember, a weak cross shot somehow slipping through his hand and into the net.

A frantic finish ensued before Dulwich were thrown a lifeline in the shape of a hotly contested penalty, the Eastbourne 'keeper adjudged by the assistant referee to have up ended Kameiko Pope-Campbell as he knocked the ball past. The referee was having none of the protests and the spot kick was dispatched by Shawn McCoulsky to level the scores. Would that Dartford were losing or drawing that might have been enough but with time running out Shawn McCoulsky broke the offside trap to tuck home a winning goal and complete his hat trick.

Still there was time for more drama. Punching clear an Eastbourne freekick, Ediz Hoca's followthrough inadvertently floored an opposition player. For a moment the referee allowed play to continue, but as protests erupted from the away bench. The whistle blew and to all purposes it seemed that Borough had been awarded a spot-kick of their own. Conversations between referee and assistant ensued and after what seemed an age, the decision was reversed. Dulwich had the freekick, the ball was cleared upfield and soon the whistle blew to start the celebrations.