Dulwich Hamlet 1-2 VCD Athletic

Dulwich suffered another defeat as 2 goals from Karl Dent secured a VCD victory in front of another bumper crowd.

Another game where Dulwich failed to rediscover their form despite changes made by manager Gavin Rose. Captain Terrell Forbes was on the bench with his place and the captaincy passed to Michael Kamara. Jordan Hibbert replaced Michael Abnett, Harry Ottaway was preferred to Tom Derry, Kershaney Samuels was restored to midfield, Xavier Vidal came in for Luke Wanadio & Kevin James replaced Jack Dixon.

Both sides were slow to settle. It took until the11th minute for either side to teat the keepers but,with the first effort, Nyren Clunis nearly caught out Nick Blue at his near post.

Two Ashley Carew free kicks saw The Hamlet come close , the first being scrambled behind whilst the second was well held by Blue in the VCD goal. At the other end, Basey had a free kick deflected over.

The first flowing move of the game saw Dulwich take the lead in the 29th minute. Jordan Hibbert played the ball forward, Harry Ottaway rose to flick it to Nyren Clunis on the wing and Clunis made ground before crossing low for Kevin James to finish emphatically coming in at the far post.

Dulwich now found some rhythm with Harry Ottaway scuffing his shot after another Clunis cross and Kevin James firing narrowly wide after the ball had run to him in the box. With the latter chance, Clunis was clearly brought down on the edge of the box (if not inside) but the referee chose to play an advantage.

Within 2 minutes VCD equalised. There seemed to be little threat when the ball was played across to Karl Dent some 25 yards out but he proceeded to strike an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Dulwich went back on the attack and Xavier Vidal went close before a short corner saw a shot that fired in that seemed to be charged down with both hands by a VCD defender; the referee remained unmoved.

Half Time 1-1

Kevin James will be disappointed that his 51st minute effort was wide when he was well placed as Dulwich continued to hold the upper hand.

However, they were to succumb to a second Dent goal on 62 minutes. He was allowed to move forward unchallenged and strike a shot that was across Wilson, struck the far post and ran along the line before creeping in next to the near post.

Kevin James & Xavier Vidal both had chances during a 64th minute scramble where it seemed inevitable the ball would find its way intothe net but somehow it didn't. Michael Kamara had a shot blocked from the subsequent corner.

A 66th minute cross from Albert Jarrett was headed over by Nyren Clunis and Tom Derry had a 74th minute shot blocked after Kevin James & Albert Jarrett had combined well.

Dulwich put the visitors under intense pressure but Blue wasn't troubled in the VCD goal as a combination of good defending and wayward passes and finishing ensured The Hamlet would suffer another defeat.

Full Time 1-2
Attendance 1324.