Back-to-back wins at Champion Hill to start the season for Dulwich Hamlet as the Pink and Blues defeat Cheshunt 2-0 with goals from Sol Baugh and Lonit Talla.

It looked to be an even affair after a tight first 45 minutes. Luke Wanadio had two shots on goal blocked by the visitors’ defence before Cheshunt’s Antonis Vasiliou forced Hudson Sands into an excellent save.

Samir Carruthers’ half time introduction strengthened Hamlet in the middle of the park while Nyren Clunis’ roaming to the right wing helped get the ball in the box and cause a few issues for the opposition’s defence.

Losing their footing in the second half, Cheshunt threw more bodies forward in a move that would prove fatal. With only 2 men back, a clearance out to Luke Wanadio sent the Dulwich number 10 through on goal. Baugh raced up alongside him and struck a squared ball into the net for the opener.

Lonit Talla won the ball back deep in a struggling Cheshunt’s half and charged for a second. His scuffed shot was redeemed just moments later when a tumbling Nyren Clunis shifted it to him on the left side of the box to smash it into the top right.

Little came in response from Cheshunt. A 78th minute penalty shout for the visitors was denied by the referee and Kenny Coker hit the roof of the bar from a late header as Dulwich wrapped up all three points and a clean sheet on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

A trip north of the river to Wingate and Finchley follows next weekend before we return to Champion Hill to take on bottom of the league Three Bridges.