Burgess Hill Town 3-2 Dulwich Hamlet

A depleted Dulwich side suffered defeat at Burgess Hill Town and will be disappointed with the goals that thry conceded.

Dulwich went into the game without their forward trio of Erskine, Willock & Clunis as well as Campbell & Dixon but still should have left with at least a point. However, Phil Wilson had a rare off day in goal and will feel that he should have done better with all 3 goals.

Dean McDonald made his first start following his return and almost played in Damian Scannell in the first minute but there was little early goalmouth action at either end.

A rare slip by Matt Drage gave The Hillians a chance that they couldn't capitalise on midway through the half but neither side really threatened to break the deadlock.

That changed on the half hour as Wilson couldn't take a cross and despite blocking one effort Pat Harding was more alert than the Dulwich defence and turned the ball home.

They were only ahead for 6 minutes as Damian Scannell was fouled just outside the penalty area and Ashley Carew curled a trademark free kick over the wall. Home keeper Jones got a hand to it but could only push it on to the inside of the post and watch it trickle over the line,

Dulwich then fell behind again two minutes later when Dan Pearse was given space to shoot from some 25 yards and,despite having a clear sight,Wilson allowed the shot to go under him and in.

However, Dulwich leveled again right on half time. The ball was played in to Damian Scannell who was shoved in the back just inside the penalty area. As the ball dropped on the edge of the area Danny Waldren drove it low into the corner for his first competitive goal for the club.

Half Time 2-2

The second half was lacking in any real action and although Dulwich controlled possession they rarely threatened to score. An Ashley Carew free kick was straight at the keeper, whilst Pinnock & Drage both had efforts that passed harmlessly high and wide.

Waldren had a long range free kick inches wide and Scannell a shot that also narrowly missed the target as Dulwich looked for a winner. But it was the home side who would score the winner 5 minutes from time with a goal that was calamitous from a Hamlet perspective.

Dulwich were awarded a free kick in their penalty area that Wilson tried to play to Pinnock on the touchline. However his control let him down and the ball wrnt out for a throw in. The ball was thrown back to Andy Pearson whose innocuous looking cross into the box evaded everybody and crept inside the far post.

Dulwich pressed forward looking to level for a third time but, despite Waldren having a shot well held low to his right by Jones and a Kevin James header deflected wide, they slipped to a disappointing loss.

Final Score 3-2