Leiston 2-2 Dulwich Hamlet

The predatory finishing of Leiston's Matt Blake was in stark contrast to the profligacy of The Hamlet.

Match Details and line ups here

Dulwich were able to welcome back Dumebi Dumaka from injury, although his comeback lasted only 23 minutes before he seemed to suffer a recurrence. Gavin Rose also gave a first start of his second loan spell to Dipo Akinyemi and Sanchez Ming was preferred to Nyren Clunis Clunis and Gavin Tomlin reverted to the bench.

This was a game that flowed from end to end between two teams committed to attack, played on a pitch that had large parts on which the ball was unable to bounce.

Leiston had the first effort on goal when Preston Edwards made a fine save from Blake in only the third minute. Dumebi Dumaka and Dipo Akinyemi both had shots blocked before Dulwich took a 10th minute lead. Ashley Carew's corner was flicked on and Marc Weatherstone bundled the ball over the line.

Two minutes later, Dumaka flicked a long ball into the path Akinyemi but he couldn't take advantage and just 7 minutes later, much against the run of play, Leiston levelled. Matt Blake cut in unchallenged from the Dulwich left and fired past Preston Edwards.

Dulwich came close to regaining the lead in the 23rd minute as Sanchez Ming charged down a clearance by home keeper Jacob Marsden but the ball flew just wide.

The next chances fell to Leiston but Preston Edwards got down well to push Muir's effort wide. From the resultant corner the ball was cleared as far as Byron Lawrence on the edge of the box but his well struck effort was blocked.

An error from Matt Drage presented Matt Blake with a chance but he fired just wide and a free kick from Gareth Heath was pushed wide by Edwards via the post. In between these chances, Dipo Akinyemi fired too high when well placed.

Dulwich then missed a gilt edged chance to regain the lead with just two minutes of the half remaining. Dipo Akinyemi broke clear and then squared the ball to Gavin Tomlin, who had replaced Dumaka. However, he shot over when it seemed easier to score. Tomlin then had an effort saved as Dulwich finished the half in the ascendancy.

Half Time 1-1

If Dulwich had shaded the first half then they totally dominated the second. Three minutes into the half Gavin Tomlin's driven cross missed everybody, then a 51st minute effort from Tomlin was tipped over at point blank range following an Ashley Carew cross.

Marc Weatherstone then had a header saved before an Ashley Carew free kick was pushed out by Marsden to the waiting Nathan Green. He shaped to shoot at the gaping goal from inside the six yard box but was bundled over from behind by Bulland. Somehow the officials failed to notice.

Ibrahim Kargbo had an effort that flew inches wide, Gavin Tomlin curled an effort over and Nathan Green had an effort blocked. Ashley Carew fired just wide, as did Dipo Akinyemi after Marsden punched the ball to him. Akinyemi also failed to get a touch to another cross that flew across goal. All these chances came and went in a six minute spell just past the hour.

In a rare excursion forward, Nico Muir had a shot blocked and fired his follow up effort wide before Ashley Carew had an effort deflected into the side netting.

Dulwich eventually regained the lead in the 72nd minute. A corner saw a header going wide and as Michael Chambers tried to hook it back he was brought down. Ashley Carew confidently converted from the spot,

However, Dulwich weren't able to hold their lead as Blake scored again in the 79th minute, touching home a shot by Muir; the protestations of Edwards that he was offside fell on deaf ears.

Dulwich then almost fell behind but Edwards made a great save and Michael Chambers completed the clearance. However, they finished the match pushing forward again with Clunis having an effort blocked and Tomlin curling another effort too high.

Final Score 2-2