Needham Market 1-1 Dulwich Hamlet

This was a match Dulwich dominated but they found home keeper Danny Gay in top form.

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Following Tuesday's defeat at Staines Marc Weatherstone was restored to the starting line up along with Ibra Sekajja.

Dulwich dominated from the start and almost took the lead in the 4th minute as Nyren Clunis got to the goal line and chipped in a cross that beat Gay but came out off the bar and away from incoming attackers.

Dulwich were in complete control and their accurate passing game kept the home side pushed back. Vas Karagiannis had another cross that had Gay looking anxiously as it dropped just the wrong side of the far post. Nyren Clunis then saw his cross sliced by Ian Miller but it didn't fall to a Dulwich forward.

It was not until the 27th minute that the Dulwich defence came under pressure and they just managed to scramble the ball away following a cross from the Dulwich right

It then took two fine saves by Gay to prevent The Hamlet taking the lead. First he made a fine save from a Mark Weatherstone header, and then clawed out a shot from Dumebi Dumaka that was taken early and seemed to take him by surprise.

A cross from Clunis just evaded the inrushing Dumaka and an Ibra Sekajja cross flashed across the six yard box but the game remained level at the break.

Half Time 0-0

The second half opened with Dulwich still looking to take the initiative but they were almost opened up on the break. However, Matt Drage made a great interception of a dangerous through ball.

Dumaka and Karagiannis both had efforts off target, whilst Gay pushed another Karagiannis effort to safety. However, it was the home side who should have taken a 58th minute lead. The usually lethal John Sands was given a clear run on goal but fired wide with only Preston Edwards to beat.

Another cross flashed across the Dulwich penalty area before Dulwich took a 62nd minute lead. A corner from Ashley Carew was not cleared and, when Marc Weatherstone crossed it back into the area, Dumebi Dumaka found space to head home.

Dulwich continued to be in control but were pegged back by a 69th minute equaliser from Jack Curtis, who created space on the edge of the area to place his effort out of the reach of Preston Edwards.

For a while the game became more even but the changes from the bench saw The Hamlet finish strongly. A Sanchez Ming cross went to waste as no Dulwich player anticipated it and then Gay somehow turned over a shot from Kenny Beaney that was heading for the top corner.

Gay was to have one more crucial intervention in stoppage time as Clunis seized on a long ball but was thwarted as he tried to round the keeper.

Final Score 1-1