Maidstone United 4-1 Dulwich Hamlet

The Hamlet were well beaten by a Maidstone United side that were far too good on the day.

Dulwich were without Daniel Pappoe already and when Michael Chambers limped off early it exposed the lack of defensive cover. As a result, the lively Maidstone forwards took full advantage.

Within the first minute a ball over the top freed Phillips but Preston Edwards was able to parry his effort. Dulwich then had a good spell but were unable to convert their chances.
The first came when Sanchez Ming’s cross came to Nyren Clunis who turned 10 yards out but poked his effort just wide.

An Ashley Carew corner was flicked on by Nathan Green but Gavin Tomlin headed just too high, whilst another Carew corner came to Bryon Lawrence whose effort was on target but Michael Phillips was able to clear off the line.

An injury to Michael Chambers saw him leave the field in the 9th minute,ng a reshuffle of the Dulwich defenc,e and Maidstone were able to ruthlessly take advantage of the unfamiliarity of the personnel remaining. Quade Taylor moved to the left side of the defence, with Michael Onovwigun, a player more accustomed to playing in the centre of midfield, coming in on the right side.

Neither of the central defenders playing either side of Magnus Okuonghae looked comfortable and Maidstone soon went in front on 19 minutes . Turgott exchanged passes with Lewis leaving Turgott in on goal on the right side of the box and he fired l past Edwards

A second goal arrived just four minutes later. Lewis drove forwards and laid the ball back into the path of Phillips who curled his shot into the far corner.

The Hamlet defence was being regularly breached as the midfield was also failing to click going forward, or offer any protection to the makeshift central defence, and it was only a couple of fine saves from Preston Edwards that denied Seth Nana Twumasi and Quigley .

Dulwich had a rare chance when Nyren Clunis header was parried by Worgan but it was Preston Edwards who prevented a third goal when he made an excellent save from McLennan, whilst Turgott fired over when a cross from the Maidstone found him in space at the far post.

Half Time 2-0

It wasn't long after half time that the gaps in the Dulwich defence were exposed again but Edwards saved well from Turgott. However, he could do nothing about the third goal that arrived in the 48th Minute. He made a fine save from Quigley but as the ball went loose, the Maidstone forward seemed to miss his kick with the goal at his mercy. However, the referee deemed it a foul and Quigly converted from the spot.

Turgott almost added a fourth goal but his shot rattled the underside of the bar and Loza missed the rebound. However, Loza did score the fourth in the 62nd minute as he was allowed to run unchallenged before crashing a effort beyond Edwards.

A flurry of substitutions from both sides saw Dulwich begin to compete again and Anthony Cook looked bright down the right hand side, linking up with a trialist well on a number of occasions.

Dipo Akinyemi looked equally lively and he forced one fine save from Worgan in the home goal before two minutes from time Dulwich got a consolation goal when De Havilland sent Cook crashing near the penalty spot and Ashley Carew confidently beat Worgan.

Full Time 4-1