REPORT | Canvey Island vs Dulwich Hamlet
The Hamlet headed to Essex on Saturday afternoon to take on an out of form Canvey Island on the Essex seaside.
A Hamlet side plagued by injuries to the likes of Ross Marshall and Sam German missing from the defensive unit.
Louis Ramsay returned to the side for the 1st time since our pre season game against Dagenham & Redbridge. Anthony Jeffrey missed out after cutting his hand at Leatherhead on Tuesday night and needing stitches to help the healing process. He'll be expected to return on Saturday 21st September when we host Horsham.
The Hamlet started the game on the front foot and after 13 minutes had their first major chance of the game. Wanadio played a diagonal ball to Lorenzo on the left hand side who played in Hudson but his cross was scrambled away.
Four minutes later and it would be Wanadio who'd have a chance to put the visitors ahead. He broke down the right wing and struck a well hit shot but it was tipped over by the keeper. Michael Chambers almost capitalised from the resulting corner but his header went narrowly over the bar.
Lorenzo went close after 23 minutes but his shot was also saved by the keeper.
60 seconds later and Dulwich would have the lead. Pressing high from a Canvey Island goal kick saw Luke Wanadio win the ball and smash the ball home into the bottom corner. Canvey becoming the first team to produce a 7 pass move that resulted in a goal Luke Wanadio.
Wanadio would almost turn provider minutes later as he whipped in a cross from the left hand side but Mills couldn't get on the end of it.
Against the run of play the hosts equalised on the stroke of half-time. A well worked free-kick routine was executed to perfection and Canvey Island would be level.
The Hamlet would look for an immediate response and that is exactly what they'd get. Luke Wanadio fired a corner in which looked like it came off of the head of Lorenzo but would be turned into the Canvey net by a Canvey player giving the Hamlet a well deserved lead at the interval.
Minutes into the 2nd half and the Hamlet would be thrown into turmoil thanks to another injury. This time it was the impressive Lorenzo who'd leave the field of play due to injury. He was clattered in the air and appeared to land awkwardly on his back. As a result he was stretchered off. Despite the injury he was up and moving at the end of the game.
Mark Marshall replaced him and would be thrown into action straight away. Kresh picked him out with a lovely long range pass. Marshall cut in and has his shot saved.
After 65 minutes the hosts would again equalise. A quick counter attack would catch Dulwich out with Canvey levelling it with 25 to go.
Dulwich looked like they'd have a penalty with 15 minutes left as Sean Bonnett-Johnson was taken down in the box but the referee waved the appeals away.
Mills would almost bag a winner with 8 minutes left as Wanadio picked him out in the box but his header went just wide.
As the hosts went down to 10 men following a red card Dulwich stepped it up a gear again to chase all 3 points.
That's exactly what they'd get in the final minutes of the 90. Jerome Binnom-Williams received the ball and crossed it in towards Porter who dived in and headed the ball into the back of the net sending the travelling fans into delirium.
Despite 10 minutes of added time the Hamlet would hold on and secure victory against all odds putting an early FA Cup exit behind them.
Next up:
The men return to Champion Hill on Saturday 21st September as we host Horsham. You can get your tickets here.
