DULWICH HAMLET EXTEND LEAD IN YOUTH ALLIANCE AFTER THRILLING WIN

The ASPIRE Academy youngsters maintained their 100% record but only just as they beat Three Bridges 4-3 after a gung-ho second half

Dulwich Hamlet returned to action in the National Youth League Alliance defending their perfect record so far against a Three Bridges side with just one win to their name in the current campaign. No one could have predicted the 90 minutes that would play out on the field of Rutland Walk this afternoon.

Despite the gulf in the league standings, the opening exchanges showed the sides well-matched with the visitors powerful in the tackle, strong in the air and belligerent in attack. The best of the early chances fell the way of the Hamlet but twice after springing the offside trap Arthur Curtis-Mackenzie was unable to connect with deft deliveries over the Bridges defence whilst Lekan Osideko fired wide after steaming between the centre halves. The breakthrough goal came on 20 minutes when Three Bridges won a free kick some thirty yards out. A delightful low curling effort delivered by the left back evaded all creeping beyond the dive of Daniel Abbotts and inside his far left-hand post. Dulwich Hamlet had the chances to level, twice Cristian Bucin turned his man at right back but followed with tame shots straight at the Three Bridges ‘keeper whilst a misplaced back pass bounded off the far upright. Come half time it was still 1-0 to the visitors as Three Bridges held firm in defence, occasionally riding their luck.

The second half began well for Three Bridges with Daniel Abbotts forced into making a nifty save diving right to push away a fiery shot from the edge of the area. On 52 minutes Dulwich Hamlet found an equaliser in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Cristian Bucin outpaced his marker on the left, zinging a low cross to the edge of the area. Lekan Osideko’s first attempt was blocked but pouncing on the loose ball, he turned and shot low towards goal. The ‘keeper was down to get a hand on the shot only for the ball to slip from his grasp and crawl into the net. Straight from the restart Dulwich Hamlet might have had a penalty when Arthur Curtis-Mackenzie was bundled over in the box as he waited for a high ball to drop. Substitutions were made and it was one of Three Bridges that would provide the catalyst for a gung-ho goal-crazy spell of four goals in the blink of an eye. First Bridges regained the lead as 12 seized the opportunity to hammer a dropping ball through a crowd of players and into the corner of the net. Two minutes later Dulwich were back on level terms as a game of head tennis broke out in the area, Kiki Oshilaja popping up ahead of the ‘keeper to nod the ball into the back of the net. However, Dulwich were back on level terms for less than 60 seconds as Bridges substitute (16) held off a challenge on the edge of the box before smashing an unstoppable shot past Abbotts to make it 3-2. Once again Dulwich Hamlet found a quick leveller with another simple goal as Arthur Curtis-Mackenzie was on hand to tuck home from close range as he met a low ball into the six-yard box. If Dulwich’s goals had been tinged with a touch of fortune the matchwinner was a masterpiece, a deep lofted ball out of defence down towards the right pocket was met first time by Lekan Osideko his volley looping over the ‘keeper and dropping down into the far corner of the net. In the dying moments Three Bridges were reduced to ten men when the 6 went off for a petulant revenge hack after being beaten to the ball but still had chances to earn what would not have been an underserved draw but Dulwich stood firm to earn the points.

Team: Daniel Abbotts; Victor Lusuku; Adrian Brown; Ronaldo Lleshi; Kiki Oshilaja; Kevin Osei; Cristian Bucin; Louis Hiobi; Arthur Curtis-McKenzie; Lekan Osideko; Mohomed Mohomed

Substitutes: Hassan Bangura; Dominic Mills