Dulwich Hamlet 1-2 Staines Town

Dulwich slipped to a disappointing defeat as they paid the price for a slow start and missed opportunities.

With Jacob Erskine unfit, Calum Willock was his replacement in an otherwise unchanged team.

The Hamlet got off to a slow start and we're unable to get any momentum in their play. Staines had all the early momentum and Phil Wilson had to save an early Kalu free kick. It came as little surprise when Staines took the lead in the 15th minute. Luke Wanadio was bundled over in the penalty area and Pat Cox struck his penalty high into the net just out of the grasp of Phil Wilson.

This seemed to finally wake up the home side and they should have been level in the 21st minute. A ball was played into the box where Calum Willock was clearly having his shirt pulled as he tried to turn. The referee waited to see if the ball would run kindly for Nyren Clunis but when he was knocked off the ball, he blew for the original offence and pointed to the spot.The usually reliable Ashley Carew stepped up but scuffed his effort horribly wide.

Nyren Clunis had a low effort saved but Dulwich could have been two goals down if it wasn't for a magnificent save at point blank range by Phil Wilson from Erivaldo Felix, the full back hang been found in space by Wanadio.

Dulwich should have levelled in the 32nd minute as Nyren Clunis turned and delivered a cross to the far post that Albert Jarrett should have headed in, instead he headed wide.

Seven minutes from the break, Wilson produced another great stop from a Cox effort as Staines looked to make their advantage tell.

Having started without Erskine, Dulwich then lost their other striker Damian Scannell just prior to the break. Hiwevet, they were to level on the stroke of half time from an unlikely source. Ethan Pinnock received the ball in the box, turned and thumped a shot across Turner into the far corner.

Half Time 1-1

The second half saw Dulwich go straight on the attack and an Ashley Carew free kick flew across the face of goal, Nyren Clunis had an effort deflected over and a Danny Waldren header was clawed out by Turner. Waldren had an effort just too high, Albert Jarrett's shot was saved, as was Carew's free kick.

Just when it seemed that Dulwich would be the next to score Staines broke out and the ball was played to Cox on the edge of the box. His shot was firmly struck, and maybe Wilson was slightly unsighted,but it was still a surprise to see the shot slip underneath him.

Ethan Pinnock had a header from a corner saved but the momentum had been lost. Cox volleyed just wide before Dulwich had their only clear chance to level.

Jarrett got away on the right and crossed into the area into the path of the onrushing Charlie Penny but his effort was somehow kept out by Turner and then Dean Lodge was thwarted ad he looked certain to score from the rebound.

Dulwich pressed but they were unable to fashion any clear openings as they slipped to a disappointing defeat.

Full Time 1-2
Attendance 1024.

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