Dulwich Hamlet 2-1 Wingate & Finchley

First half goals from Dean McDonald & Ashley Carew gave Dulwich a first victory in 7 games.

Dulwich ultimately triumphed but having established a two goal lead they had to hang on following a fighting second half performance from the visitors.

The Hamlet opened brightly and Dean McDonald sent a 2nd minute cross in from the right that just evaded the onrushing Hamlet players. A 10th minute free kick from Ashley Carew flew across goal when any touch would surely have led to a goal but Wingate also looked dangerous as they began to expose Dulwich on the flanks.

Nyren Clunis had an effort blocked before Dulwich took the lead in the 18th minute. Poor defending from the visitors who failed to clear a corner saw the ball land at the feet of McDonald who buried his effort from 10 yards.

Four minutes later Dulwich doubled their lead. Nyren Clunis was brought down 30 yards out and Ashley Carew stepped up to strike a venomous shot over the wall that beat the keeper low to his left.

A minute later slack defending saw Karl Oliyide given space to shoot but Preston Edwards produced a great low save to his left and then another cross from the right from AddaI was scrambled clear.

On the half hour a fine ball over the top from Matt Drage found Carew but he couldn't get his shot away, whilst at the other end a cross from Oliyide flashed across goal.

AddaI produced another fine cut back from the right that failed to find an onrushing Wingate player and led to a swift break for the Hamlet that looked promising until a misunderstanding between Nelson & Scannell saw it break down.

The final chance of the first half arrived when Clunis was tripped on the edge of the box but this time Carew fired too high.

Half Time 2-0

Wingate & Finchley struck back 4 minutes into the 2nd half when Edwards produced a fantastic save from a header following a corner but, with the Dulwich defence static, Pollock volleyed the rebound home.

Dulwich initially looked to add to their lead and Scannell had a good claim for a penalty turned down and then the same player saw his effort come back off the post. Haigh in the visitors goal also produced a fine reflex save from the follow up.

In between these chances Edwards had to produce another good block after racing out of his goal to thwart a forward who was clear on goal.

Wingate were now in the ascendancy and AddaI fired over and also saw his deflected cross flash wide of the far post in the 65th minute.

For Dulwich, Scannell miskicked after being set up following a good run from Clunis and Ryan Moss couldn't get a decisive touch to another Clunis cross.

Wingate had a final chance to level the scores in the final minute when Rifat clipped a pass over the top but Oliyide couldn't bring it under control.

Final Score 2-1
Attendance 584

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