Dulwich Hamlet youngsters reclaim top spot with Stones away day win

The ASPIRE Academy coached Under 19s made it four wins from four with victory at Maidstone United yesterday

It was a lightning start for the Dulwich Hamlet youngsters when Lekan Osideko capitalised on hesitancy in the Maidstone United defence to slot home the game's first goal inside 60 seconds, a confident start that set the tone for a first half the side controlled. Further goals from Alton Leeward and Lekan Osideko had Dulwich firmly in the ascendancy and there could have been more with Cristian Bucin seeing a shot cannon back off the post and a deft header nodded off the line by a 'Stones' defender. However Maidstone grabbed a goal back back on the half time whistle as Otis Aarts blocked a header from a freekick only for home defender Lewis Chambers to follow up and ram home.

The second half was a different affair altogether with Dulwich Hamlet on the back foot far too much, Maidstone posing a much greater threat than in the whole of the previous 45 minutes. However Dulwich's defence held firm. 'Keeper Otis Aarts was rarely called into action though he had to make a firm save low down to his right to turn behind a scorching drive from distance. The Hamlet goal occasionally rode its luck no more so than in the final few minutes when a towering header from Stones' substitute Dale Ashman smacked against the far upright but rebounded out before being cleared to safety.

The result moves Dulwich Hamlet three points clear of Maidstone United with Bromley Whites, having won twice, the only other team still with a 100% record in the National League Under 19 Youth Alliance Division 'G'. Dulwich Hamlet's next game is on Wednesday 2nd November when they are at home to Three Bridges (KO 2.00 pm).

Staring XI: Otis Aarts; Leeward Alton (1); Henry Awokere; Cristian Bucin; Carlos Cuartas; Axel Garcia; Dominic Mills; Kiki Oshilaja; Lekan Osideka (2); Jordan Traille; Teatron Wilson
Substitutes Used: Olawale Agbolade; Adrian Brown; Mohamed Kamara; Kevin Osei