Grays Athletic 1-0 Dulwich Hamlet

A very below par performance from The Hamlet on a difficult bumpy surface saw them slip to their third consecutive away league defeat.

The win was secured for the home side with an 8th minute goal from Freddie Ladapo whose far post header, after a fine cross from the Grays left gave Phil Wilson no chance.

However, prior to the goal and for most of the rest of the game it was the home side who carried the most threat.

Dulwich did have a chance to equalise on 20 minutes when Bagasan Graham took the ball off a defender on the edge of the box. His shot beat Gough in the home goal but was deflected for a corner by Jay Leader.

Grays had control of the remainder of the half but it was close to half time before Phil Wilson was called upon to make a meaningful save even though the Hamlet defence were often at full stretch to repel the wave of attacks.

In fact, four minutes from the break a clever free kick from an acute angle saw Xavier Vidal find the side netting with Gough motionless on his line.

Half Time 1-0

The second half didn't bring any greater joy for the large number of travelling fans. Other than an overhead kick from a Grays forward that flew too high, the game was mired in a midfield battle that saw the home side comfortably in control without really looking like they would finish off the below par visitors.

However, The Hamlet rarely threatened and the closest they came was with three minutes remaining as Kevin James threaded the ball through to Dean McDonald but his first touch was poor and Gough easily claimed.

Full Time 1-0