Dulwich Hamlet 2-1 East Thurrock United

Dulwich came from behind to seal a sensational win with a stoppage time goal from Dipo Akinyemi

DIPO AKINYEMI scored a sensational 94th-minute winner as Dulwich Hamlet came from behind to secure their first-ever victory in National League South.

Akinyemi kept his cool with almost the last kick of the game to lift the ball over East Thurrock goalkeeper Jack Giddens and send the Hamlet fans at Imperial Fields in Mitcham into raptures.

Dulwich opened brightly and it was clear that Anthony Cook had the beating of his full back at will, and from his 11th minute cross Gavin Tomlin should have done better than to head over. A minute latter, Walter Figueira shot wide , but Orsi-Dadamo then seized on a mistake at the other end but lifted his effort too high.

Giddens had to race off his line to beat Tomlin to a through ball and he then had to push over an effort from Cook, before Daniel Pappoe headed over from the resulting corner.

Much against the run of play, The Hamlet fell behind in the 31st minute when Danilo Orsi-Dadomo seized on hesitation by Pappoe and raced clear to beat Preston Edwards and fire the visitors ahead.

Pappoe was almost punished for his hesitation again just before the break, before Anthony Cook almost leveled in time added on at the end of the first helf, his effort being hacked clear from in front of the line.

Half Time 0-1

The Hamlet came out with renewed belief in the second half and soon had the visitors on the back foot and Figueira could only hit the keeper when he was set clear ten minutes after the break.

Gavin Tomlin then missed two chances within a minute. On the hour he somehow headed Cook's cross over from point blank range and then saw his effort deflected wide by the advancing Giddens after he was sent clear.

As Dulwich piled forward, Giddens got down well to smother an effort from Cook, before Dulwich were denied a clear equaliser in the 67th minute. Ashley Carew crossed Cook's headed clearly crossed the line, but the Assistant was not in line and unable to give it.

As Dulwich celebrated what they thought was a goal, Preston Edwards had to save from Derry at the other end

But the hosts leveled when Gavin Tomlin headed in with 19 minutes left. Ashley Carew floated a free kick to the far post and Tomlin converted the knock down.

A sublime through ball from Cook sent Figueira through with 13 minutes remaining but he fired wide and Nathan Green then forced Giddens into a fine save.

With four minutes of added time almost up, Preston Edwards launched the ball forward, Jay May flicked on and Akinyemi – whose winning shootout penalty in May’s Isthmian League Premier Division play-off final secured promotion to the sixth tier – showed superb composure to earn his side all three points and make up for the disappointment of the opening day defeat at Welling .

Final Score 2-1

Team

Edwards, Min g, Green, Kargbo, Okuonghae (c), Pappoe, Cook (Akinyemi), Vose, Tomlin (May), Ferguson (Carew), Figueira - Subs not used Lawrence, Taylor

Attendance 727