Dulwich Hamlet 0-3 Canvey Island

Dulwich were well beaten in front of another four figure crowd by a Canvey Island team who came with a game plan and carried it out to perfection.

Dulwich opened brightly with Albert Jarrett, in for Nyren Clunis, putting in two dangerous crosses in the opening minutes.

However, Canvey quickly established a midfield dominance and looked neat and tidy in possession as Dulwich struggled to make any inroads.

Giant forward Enoch Showunmi was wildly off target with a good chance before Dulwich got a 17th minute warning that they failed to heed. George Sykes was released through the centre of the defence by a superb pass but his shot was easily saved by Phil Wilson.

Two minutes later The Hamlet were not to be so lucky. Another through pass released Sykes. This time Phil Wilson raced from his line to intercept but he was beaten to it by Sykes who took the ball around him and passed it into the unguarded goal.

Dulwich were flat in their response although Ashley Carew nearly found Xavier Vidal with a ball over the top that he couldn't quite reach.

Most of the crowd of 1162 looked for the usual response but there was little to encourage them. In fact, Sykes probably should have doubled the lead as he met a cross from the left by Showunmi but directed his effort wide.

Sykes went close again five minutes before half time as he was allowed to turn and shoot; his effort just missing the far post and just out of reach of the unmarked Showunmi.

In fact the first effort of any note from The Hamlet did not arrive until the 45th minute, an Ashley Carew shot from distance being easily saved by Brown.

Half Time 0-1

Dulwich came out with renewed vigour after the break but their pressure brought no clear efforts on goal, although Ashley Carew had a goalboubd shot blocked.

The first glimpse of cohesion came in the 54th minute. Ethan Pinnock made a great tackle on the edge of his own penalty area and the ball was quickly transferred through Ashley Carew and Xavier Vidal to Luke Wanadio. Unfortunately, his shot lacked the precision to seriously trouble Brown.

Dulwich came closest to levelling in the 58th minute as Serge Makofo was just unable to get a decisive touch to a Jarrett cross from the left.

Gavin Rose rung the changes from the bench, introducing Kevin James and Harry Ottaway but still Dulwich got no closer than a Carew shot that went wide.

Canvey then had a good shout for a 62nd minute penalty as Sykes went down in the box but the referee was unmoved. However, Canvey Island were to double their lead four minutes later as Taylor Tombides was given too much room on the left and his pass released Sykes to slam the ball home high into the roof of the net.

Sykes was denied a chance of a hat trick by good defending from Ethan Pinnock before Canvey erased any lingering thoughts of a comeback. This time it was Simmons who made no mistake after a swift counter attack led by Tombides.

Dulwich were by now bereft of ideas and although Harry Ottaway and Kevin James combined well on a couple of occasions, Brown remained under employed in the visitors goal.

In fact, Wilson had to make another save from Sykes in the final minute of the game.

Final Score 0-3
Attendance 1162

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Photos copyright of Joel Virgo