Braintree Town 0-0 Dulwich Hamlet

Dulwich will feel they should already be into the Quarter Finals as they created much the better chances.

Dulwich line up here.

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A Dulwich team without the injured Dumebi Dumaka and cup tied Rhys Murrell-Williamson and Dipo Akinyemi came close to knocking out their Vanarama National League opponents.

Dulwich controlled the tempo of the game once they had got to grips with the more direct style of the home side. Early pressure from Braintree saw the experienced Jack Midson as the focal point but it was Dulwich who had a couple of good chances. First, a Marc Weatherstone header was deflected wide off a defender, then Ashley Carew released Nyren Clunis through the middle but Beasant was out to foil him.

When Braintree came forward, Nathan Green produced a great block from Alex Henshall and, after Matt Drage misjudged a long ball forward, Preston Edwards was out to save an effort from Jack Midson,

Preston Edwards then produced a fantastic save as Michael Cheek met a corner with a header that he got down quickly to divert wide with his legs.

Whilst Braintree forced a number of set plays, the three man central defence of Dulwich were able to repel them without alarm. In fact Dulwich could have been awarded a penalty when Gavin Tomlin dispossessed Chez Isaac and was pulled back.

Ibrahim Kargbo fired a free kick wide, and Preston Edwards made another fine stop at his near post after Matt Drage had dived ino a challenge close to the byline, as half time approached. Whilst for Braintree Henshall and Cheek both had efforts that failed to trouble Edwards.

Half Time 0-0

Nyren Clunis limped out of the action with a damaged knee in the opening minutes of the half but Dulwich also came very close to taking the lead. Nathan Green crossed from the left and a scuffed clearance arrived at the feet of Ashley Carew whose effort struck the post.

Playing towards the Dulwich fans, the second half was dictated by the superb central midfield pairing of Kenny Beaney and Ibrahim Kargbo, with Braintree only offering threats from set plays.

Ibra Sekajja, who had replaced Nyren Clunis, fired too high, as did Ibrahim Kargbo and Ashley Carew, as Dulwich dictated play. A superb passing move that went the length of the field saw Gavin Tomlin have an effort blocked. Tomlin then got away on the right but his low cross was collected by Beasant.

Henshall seemed to have a good chance for the home side but Ashley Carew got back to ensure he was unable to get an effort on goal. Kyron Farrell headed over for Braintree but it was Dulwich who finished the stronger. Beasant got down well to his right to hold an effort from Carew and Nathan Green got on the end of a stopage time corner but his header went wide.

Full Time 0-0