Dulwich Hamlet 2-1 Hendon

A depleted Dulwich side secured a vital 3 points although the margin of victory should perhaps have been greater.

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With both Dumebi Dumaka & Danny Carr ruled out with injury, it was timely that Gavin Tomlin was able to return from his suspension. In the only other change from the draw with Wingate & Finchley, Ibrahim Kargbo came in to replace Chris Millar, who dropped to the bench.

Dulwich were slow out of the blocks as Hendon pressed forward early, encouraged by a Dulwich side sloppy in possession. A foul by Ibrahim Kargbo gave the visitors an early chance to get the ball into the Dulwich box, but good defending by Michael Chambers meant that Sam Murphy's free kick came to nothing.

The first sight of goal for The Hamlet came in the 8th minute as Gavin Tomlin set up Ashley Carew for an effort that was blocked. Tomlin was next to threaten as he shot over after literally escaping the grip of MacLaren; the referee playing an advantage when he was pulled back.

Nyren Clunis was next to have an effort blocked, with Ibrahim Kargbo firing the loose ball well over the bar, whilst in a rare Hendon foray forward, Preston Edwards had to be alert to head away a long ball over the top.

Dulwich finally got some reward for their dominance in the 25th minute. Ibra Sekajja played the ball to Nyren Clunis on the right and made his way into the penalty area. Clunis was unable to find space to deliver a cross but laid the ball back to Marc Weatherstone. His cross was headed towards goal by Sekajja and, despite a good save from Lovelock in the Hendon goal, Ashley Carew was able to bundle the loose ball home.

Hendon almost levelled 5 minutes later as Karl Oliyide found space on the Dulwich left and Marc Weatherstone had to hack the ball off the line.

Almost immediately, Gavin Tomlin was released in behind the Hendon defence and took the ball around Lovelock, but the keeper got back to make a save. Ibra Sekajja then had an effort blocked after being played in by Nyren Clunis.

Half Time 1-0

Hendon forced a corner at the start of the second half but The Hamlet quickly reasserted their grip on proceedings. Lovelock made a good save from Ibra Sekajja after a slip by MacLaren had given Clunis the chance to get away on the right, whilst
Dulwich then passed up a gilt edged chance to add a second goal in the 53rd minute.

Ashley Carew delivered a fine pass to Nyren Clunis and his low cross was somehow missed completely by Gavin Tomlin, when any contact would surely have resulted in a goal. Tomlin also passed up another chance on the hour when he could only fire over the bar from a Nathan Green cross.

Dulwich were eventually able to add a second goal in the 62nd minute. An Ashley Carew free kick was blocked but fell to Kenny Beaney whose left footed shot beat Lovelock low to his left via a deflection.

Ibra Sekajja thought that he had got the goal his tireless performance deserved in the 68th minute, but he had just mistimed his run and was flagged offside.

It came as a surprise when Hendon reduced the arrears in the 71st minute and gave
themselves a chance to resue an unlikely point. Hesitant defending allowed Reis Stanislaus the chance to thump a cross shot past Preston Edwards and in off the far post via a deflection.

Dulwich went looking for another goal that would secure the points; Ibra Sekajja placing his shot on the turn too high and Ashley Carew missing a difficult headed chance.

However, it took a fine block from Marc Weatherstone to deny Oliyide and preserve the lead, when the ball fell to him 10 yards out

Ibra Sekajja forced a fine save from Lovelock when he got on the end of a Gavin Tomlin cross and Chris Millar also saw his effort beaten away by Lovelock, after patient build up play had created space for him.

Sekajja then saw his effort whistle inches wide of the far post after he had created space on the left, whilst Rhys Murrell-Williamson also shot wide as Dulwich played possession football to try to take the sting out of any potential Hendon revival.

Final Score 2-1

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