Grays Athletic 1-2 Dulwich Hamlet

A 90th minute free kick from Damian Scannell gave 10 man Dulwich a crucial victory at Grays

The Dulwich starting side showed just one change from the midweek draw with Leiston; Dean McDonald replacing Rhys Murrell-Williamson.

Two footballing teams struggled to come to terms with a bumpy surface and created few scoring chances in the first-half.

Grays went close in the seventh minute when a long crossfield pass from right to left found Joao Carlos. He easily beat Mitchell Nelson, and then sidestepped the advancing Phil Wilson, only to see his shot headed off the line by the covering Matt Drage. Ten minutes later, Ryan Moss needlessly pushed over Carlos just inside the box to concede a penalty. But Phil Wilson came to Dulwich’s rescue, diving low to his right to save Harry Agombar’s weakly-hit spot-kick.

Dulwich’s first serious attempt on goal came on 27 minutes when Lamar Joseph-Johnson was at full stretch to push away Ashley Carew’s free-kick. Eight minutes before half-time, Dean McDonald showed great control to bring down a high ball just outside the box, but his drive beat both the ‘keeper and his right-hand post
Half Time 0-0

Dulwich had the elements in their favour in the second half and Nyren Clunis had a low effort saved in the first minute of the half.

The Hamlet went even closer in the 51st minute as Dean McDonald broke through on the left and his effort crashed back off the post. However, he was not to be denied four minutes later. Seizing on a piece of poor control by a home defender, Jay Leader, he advanced and slipped the ball past Joseph-Johnson in the home goal.

Grays almost equalised in the 59th minute but it was their turn to strike the goal frame as a low effort from the edge of the box. However, they did level in the 66th minute. Jordan Brown was penalised for what seemed a brilliantly timed tackle in the penalty area on Grays Alex Addae. However, the assistant saw something that nobody else had spotted and signalled for a penalty.

Dulwich protested long and hard about the decision but Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson this time stepped up and just beat Phil Wilson low to the keeper's right. In the aftermath of this decision, Ashley Carew picked up 2 yellow cards and was dismissed along with Assistant Manager Junior Kadi. Despite this setback, Dulwich still remained positive and McDonald was denied by the legs of home keeper Johnson.

An off the ball incident in which Nyren Clunis was pulled down led to Dulwich Manager, Gavin Rose, also being dismissed; although it was far from clear that it was he who had been the one that protested.

Two minutes from time, Nyren Clunis had a good opportunity but, whilst his effort was delicately lifted over Joseph-Johnson in the home goal, it did not have enough pace to get to the goal and was cleared away.

Dulwich's positive approach was rewarded in the last minute when Scannell floated in a free kick. This was attacked by a number of players which meant Joseph-Johnson in the home goal was unable to react. By the time he did, it wss too late and the ball was nestling in the far corner of the goal.

Dulwich comfortably played out some 8 minutes of stoppage time to secure three points that took them back to the top of the table.

Full Time 1-2

Report courtesy of John Lawrence.