The round-up of all the Hamlet news from our main two local papers from the last week

A little late with the round-up from our local press over the last week. Apologies, as I was working at the weekend, and had other prior engagements.

But here we go with the stuff they wrote.

Last Tuesday was the midweek coverage from the ‘South London Press’, where we led their non-league column with the loss at home to AFC Hornchurch:

First defeat for Hamlet

Dulwich Hamlet slipped to their first defeat in the Ryman League Premier Division on Saturday, losing 3-2 at home to relegated AFC Hornchurch. George Purcell gave the Urchins a 22nd-minute lead that Nyren Clunis cancelled out ten minutes before the break. But Stefan Payne-who had only come on as sub- restored the visitors’ lead on 67 minutes and added a third 13 minutes later. Erhun Oztumer converted a penalty consolation near the end, for his fourth goal of the season.

Two days later, last Thursday, the weekly copy of the ‘Southwark News’ went on sale. They also focussed on the AFC Hornchurch match, while noting the lack of forwards for us:

Striker light! Hamlet on hunt for firepower

Dulwich boss Gavin Rose is looking to bring in added firepower to his squad after injuries, and a misfiring display against Hornchurch on Saturday, saw Hamlet lose their first league match of the season.
The Pink and Blues lost 3-2 at Champion Hill on Saturday. Goals from Nyren Clunis and Erhun Oztumer were not enough to overhaul a double from Stefan Payne and a George Purcell effort for the visitors.
Hamlet went into the contest without frontman Harry Ottaway, who will be out for at least four months with a broken leg, and Paul Vines who left the club before the weekend.
That has prompted Rose to go back into the market, although it could mean faces will leave Champion Hill.
He told the News: “It was a tough game but we expect those now. We still managed to create plenty of chances but we just did not take them. You can look at in the positive that we are still making those chances, and I think we will continue to do that in games, and of course the fact we are not taking them.”
He added: “We will be looking to bring one, maybe two strikers, in the next week or so. We will not rush into it and there is no point in bringing players in for the sake of it. We have to do the right thing by Harry and continue paying him while he is injured, so that may mean a couple of people go to accommodate the new players. We do have names in mind, but it’s difficult as at this time of the year you wouldn’t expect too many of the right type of player to be looking to leave their clubs. But we will get the right people in but we will not rush into anything.”

Lastly, back on Friday, in the weekend paper of the ‘South London Press’, the headlines also concentrated on our strikers dilemma:

Rose will not panic

Dulwich Hamlet boss Gavin Rose is confident that the versatility of his squad will see them through a period when injury has put paid to many of their attacking options.
The manager has been left with a selection headache as Dulwich bid to continue their excellent start to the season-with Paul Vines having left the club and hotshot Harry Ottoway out with a broken leg, plus as well as injuries to widemen Nyren Clunis (ankle) and Dean Lodge (foot). But Rose can look within his squad for back-up after the emergence of former Manchester City youth Ian Daly, who impressed on his debut in Saturday’s defeat to Hornchurch-their first of the season. The adaptability of others means he will not have to make more signings.
“We are having a bit of bad luck and we’ve had a look at a few young lads but we don’t want to sign players for the sake of it,” Rose said. (Ian Daly did really well on Saturday and at the moment the number nine shirt is his. We have plenty of players who are adaptable to different positions so we will do that rather than sign players unnecessarily or change our system. It helps with stability. Harry has been fantastiv, not just for his goals, but because he works hard for the team. We would have to find a player with the same characteristics. We’ve also got an idea he will be back playing this season so we don’t want to fill a void just for the short term and then have a problem when he is back.”
Dulwich are at Harrow Borough in the Ryman Premier Division tomorrow. Jerome Walker picked up a hamstring injury against Hornchurch and was taken off as a precaution, but should be in contention, as is Ellis Green after injury and suspension. Lodge and Clunis are facing a race to be fit.
Rose also wanted to pay tribute to Hamlet’s fans for their support over the last few months. “The crowds coming to Champion Hill have been excellent,” he said. “We got over 600 last week. The fans provide a great atmosphere, which lefts the players at tough times and helps us realise the responsibility we have to give every game our all for the people who pay to come and watch us.”
Dulwich are planning various fundraising events throughouts the season, as well as a dinner and auction at the end of the campaign, to raise money to improve the astro-turf behind Champion Hill. The aim is improve the facilities for the Aspire Academy and generate income for the club by hiring it out. The academy needs to raise a third of the cost itself. If it does so, the rest will be provided by donations from organisations such as Sport England.
The club has been drawn to play Ryman League Division One South side Faversham Town in the Ryman Charity Shield on Tuesday September 17. All money made on the turnstiles will be donated to the British Heart Foundation.
The club has purchased a defibrillator thanks to the FA and sponsorship, which will be delivered to Champion Hill soon.