Hendon 1-1 Dulwich Hamlet

An 88th minute penalty by Ashley Carew rescued a point for The Hamlet in a game of few chances.

This was a well deserved point from a game against a Hendon side who will be an obdurate barrier for any team. It also took Dulwich to the top of the early season table, although Gavin Rose and his team will not read anything into that.

The Dulwich side saw a fit again Jacob Erskine make his competitive debut and Albert Jarrett return from suspension.

The match was cagey throughout as both teams endeavoured to play to their contacting strengths. Dulwich looking to keep the ball and pass their way through, Hendon looking to press and win the ball high up the pitch and spring forwards.

It was 14 minutes before either side threatened with the first alarm for the Dulwich defence as a long ball over the top was cleared by the excellent Osei Sankofa.

After 19 minutes Dulwich threatened as Jacob Erskine got in on the left but his effort was blocked, Damian Scannell then hotting a weak effort that was easily saved.

The first corner of the game in the 24th minute saw the ball fall to Ryan Wharton but his effort was too high.

At the other end Nyren Clunis was released into space by a Jacob Erskine flick on but couldn't get a shot away.

Half an hour in Hendon threatened again as Bettache put a low cross into the box that Mitchell Nelson cleared to safety. Three minutes later the home side should have been in front. A fine through ball saw Morgan in behind the Dulwich defence but he shot wide.

A minute later Dulwich went close as Clunis volleyed over after good work on the left by Ethan Pinnock and soon after Hendon scrambled the ball away after Scannell had got to the byline on the Dulwich right.

Dulwich had the final chance of the half as Matt Drage carried the ball from inside his own half but his effort jfrom 20 yards out ust cleared the bar.

Half Time 0-0

Dulwich were quickly on the attack at the start of the second half and finally forced a save from Wright in the home goal. Mitchell Nelson met a cross from the left at the far post but Wright got down to save comfortably.

Matt Drage almost put Clunis through and Damian Scannell put in a cross that passed across the face of goal without anybody attacking it.

With almost their first serious attack of the half Hendon too the lead in the 65th minute. The Hamlet defence switched off on the right and Scott Shulton was allowed to cut inside and hit a fine low shot across Wilson and inside the far post.

Dulwich pushed forward looking for an equaliser and an Albert Jarrett cross just evaded Scannell, whilst Jarrett himself couldn't get enough on a far post header from a Danny Waldren cross.

Only alert keeping from Phil Wilson prevented a possible service on goal as he had to race from his area to clear a dangerous through ball.

Just when it appeared that Dulwich wouldn't manage to fashion a clear chance to level the scores they dragged themselves level with 2 minutes remaining. The ball was threaded through to Calum Willock who got to the it in front of the onrushing Wright who sent him crashing
The referee pointed to the spot but did not even book the keeper.

Ashley Carew stepped up to send Wright the wrong way and rescue a point for The Hamlet.

Full Time 1-1
Attendance 268