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HIGHLIGHTS | Dulwich Hamlet vs Aylesford

Take a watch as the Hamlet gained ground on league leaders Dartford with a 7-0 victory over Aylesford here.

Image: Liam Asman

Interview | Ryan Dempsey | Aylesford | 17/03/24

Ryan speaks following our 7-0 victory over Aylesford here.

Match Report | Dulwich Hamlet vs Dartford FC

  • Date: Sunday 03 March 2024
  • Venue: Champion Hill
  • Attendance: 581

LEAGUE CUP SEMI FINAL

Dartford came to Champion Hill looking for revenge after their league defeat in the league which was the last time we played at Champion Hill due to random match fixture dates which left us on the road for weeks.

They came with a new plan after being run ragged by our wingers. Dulwich sorely missed Angel Read for this game who was not available due to work commitments.

Dulwich nearly took the lead after six minutes when Lily Price’s shot was pushed just over the bar by the Dartford Keeper.

For the rest of the half both teams battled for possession and both defences held up well and the game went into half time on a 0-0 scoreline in an evenly matched half.

The first real chance of the second half came after Jodie Lodge found herself in a lot of space but just shot wide.

Shortly afterwards Lodge found herself in an almost identical situation but shot just over the bar.

In the 79th minute Rhea Gall twice had headers cleared twice off the Dartford line by an agile Dartford keeper taking the game into extra time.

Ten minutes into extra time Dartford open the scoring with a goal from Shauni Griffiths and Dulwich immediately hit back with a goal line clearance.

Things turned farcical after the midway turn around with the referee apparently not realising that the teams had swapped ends and as a consequence, a number of decisions were given to the wrong team.

The game ended 1-0 to Dartford. Dartford had turned up to Champion Hill with a different game plan to their last visit and on the day, Dulwich were not good enough to make it through to the next round on this occasion whist Dulwich concentrate on the title race.

Dartford take on Saltdean in the final on 21st April at the Gallagher Stadium.

Image: Liam Asman

REPORT | Fulham vs Dulwich Hamlet

Dulwich beat fellow London rivals Fulham 1-0 to advance to the semi-finals of the League Cup. 

 

Summer Roberts scored the only goal in the game four minutes into the second-half to help the team get bragging rights in South-West London.

 

The Hamlet will now take on Dartford in the semi-finals after the Kent outfit won their quarter- final match against Milwall. 

 

The visitors got off to a strong start in the game with Shakira Kafero Roberts using her pace down the left flank in taking the game to the opposition. 

 

The away side continued to create chances early in the first half with Asia Harbour Brown’s effort from outside the penalty area going over the bar. 

 

Perhaps the best chance of the game came to Roberts in the 17th minute as the striker was unable to score from close range following a pass into the penalty area from Kafero Roberts. 

 

Ryan Dempsey’s side continued to create chances as the half went on with Lily Price’s free-kick comfortably saved and Harbour Brown again putting her effort over the bar.

 

Four minutes into the second half, the visitors were finally able to break the deadlock as Roberts scored a looping header from Rhea Gall’s free-kick to give the visitors that crucial lead. 

 

The home side were beginning to get themselves back in the game and gave Dulwich a huge scare in the 60th minute as Georgina Heasman dragged her effort wide of goal.

 

Despite the relentless pressure from the home side, Dulwich eleven minutes from time had a great opportunity to get a second goal as Lucy Monkman capitalised from a goalkeeping error but despite going round the keeper she was unable to convert her effort goalwards. 

 

The visitors defended well in the closing stages of the game with Fulham continuing to pile their players forward with the Hamlet backline making key clearances during the process.

 

And despite captain Brit Saylor coming close to getting a second after hitting the bar in the closing stages of the game, Dempsey’s side held on to get bragging rights over their London rivals.

Report | Ebbsfleet United 0 Dulwich Hamlet 2

  • Date: Sunday 28 January 2024
  • Venue: The Kuflink Stadium
  • Attendance: 173

As Dulwich fans gathered pre match in Ebbsfleet’s reasonably priced bar (with a great view of the pitch) no one was under the illusion that this was going to be an easy match as the first fifteen minutes proved as most of the play was in Ebbsfleet’s half.

Dulwich picked up the pace and held off until half time helped by some great saves from Dulwich Keeper Saskia Reeves Preistley.

Dulwich came out firing on all cylinders in the second half with a new determination the break the deadlock.

On the 54th minute Shakira Kafero Roberts pelted down the right hand wing and placed a pitch perfect cross towards the feet of Summer Roberts who ran with it and slotted it past the keeper.

Dulwich kept up the pace and in the 70th minute they were awarded a corner. Lily Price stepped up and tapped a short corner to Angel Read who passed it back to Price who then went on to lob the Ebbsfleet keeper from an impossibly tight angle and quite some distance.

Both teams had their chances for the remainder of the game but Ebbsfleet could not get themselves on the score sheet.

Dulwich play Fulham on Sunday (14:30 KO) in the League Cup Quarter Finals. This match will take part at Motspur Park despite a concerted effort by fans of both teams to get it move to Craven Cottage. You will need to buy tickets which you can get here. 

  • Dulwich Hamlet Line Up: Reeves Preistley, Lodge, Reid, Saylor, Roberts, Corrigan, Read, T Searle, M Searle, Kafero Roberts, Price. Subs: Gall, Jowle, Craven, Monkman, Crutwell
  • Opposition Line Up : Roberts, Pearch, Waud, Porter, O’Shea, Clifford, A Woodgate, Russ, Wills(62), Reynolds(62), Carlton(76). Subs: Grieve, Pace(62), Jestin(76), M Woodgate, Hewitt(62)
Image: Liam Asman

REPORT | Dulwich Hamlet vs Dartford

Sunday 14th January 2024, the day of Dulwich Hamlet Women’s biggest game of the season taking on the league leaders and only unbeaten side in the division, Dartford FC.

Hamlet headed into the game on the back of a 4-1 win over Ashford United on the previous Sunday. Hamlet got the game underway on a freezing cold afternoon at Champion Hill. It didn’t take long for Hamlet to stamp their authority on this match. In the 16th minute a free kick was whipped in which wasn’t dealt with and Shakira Kafero-Roberts was there to head Hamlet into an early lead.

After continued pressure from the hosts creating issues for the Dartford defence, it was the visitors who surprisingly struck next. Dartford won a penalty in the 39th minute which was smashed into the right side of the goal and meant the visitors were back in the game. It looked all set for the sides to go in level at half time but not on Lily Price’s watch as around 10 yards outside the box she struck a magnificent free kick into the top of the net to see Hamlet go into the break with a 2-1 lead.

As the second half was upon us Ryan made his first change of the game as Phoebe Read replaced Anna Jowle. In the 64th minute Hamlet made their second substitution of the day as Martha Goddard replaced Angel Reid. Minutes later the lead was extended to 2 as Kafero-Roberts got herself a brace after a mix up at the back saw herself 1 on 1 with the keeper and slotting it through her legs to slot the ball home.

After an injury, Asia Harbour-Brown was forced off to be replaced by Tia Searle. In the 80th minute Hamlet looked to have sealed this monumental victory after some fabulous work down the right wing from Goddard who set up Phoebe Read who then smashed the ball into the roof of the net for Hamlet to go 4-1 up against this previously unbeaten side. Hamlet were again forced into a change as the injured Morgan Searle went off and Rhea Gall was brought on.

Dartford were able to give themselves a glimmer of hope in the 88th minute as a free kick on the edge of the box was powered into the right side of the net to cut the deficit down to 2. Just after this Hamlet made their 5th and final change of the day bringing off Phoebe Read and bringing on Grace Craven to close this game out. Seeing the game out was not what Hamlet did as Summer Roberts, on her right foot, calmly placed the hosts back into a 3 goal advantage and shoot themselves up into 2nd in the league with a game in hand on current leaders Fulham.

This 5-2 victory saw Hamlet fans go crazy with the team’s remarkable performance to end Dartford’s 11 game unbeaten run and leapfrog them in the league table. The team will be looking to win their game in hand on Fulham to boost themselves into pole position in the fight for promotion.

Match Report | Billericay Town 2 Dulwich Hamlet 1

  • Date: Sunday 26 November 2023
  • Venue: APG Stadiun
  • Attendance: 298

Billericay turned pink and blue as a large contingent of around 170 Dulwich fans piled off the train on Sunday lunchtime and after a few drinks in the excellent Railway pub, made their way to the AGP stadium in anticipation of a cracking 2nd round Women’s FA Cup fixture. Hopes were high due to the fact that not many fans could remember the last time Dulwich had lost a game.

Dulwich fans cheered the team onto the pitch as they came out of the tunnel and headed to the back of the goal ready to cheer their team on for 90 minutes.

Play shortly got underway and Dulwich held up well to a team two leagues above us and was pretty deadlocked until the 18th minute when Summer Roberts had a chance from just outside the penalty area to score but it was comfortably saved by the keeper.

Almost immediately, Lily Price nearly had a chance when her effort on-goal nearly went in but hit the post and five minutes later she tried her luck from a free-kick but her effort was saved.

On the 34th minute Dulwich were awarded a free kick for a handball that was clearly in the area. After protests from both players and fans, the referee consulted with the linesman who judged it to be in the penalty area and a penalty was duly awarded.

Brit Saylor stepped up and calmly slotted it into the right-hand corner and Dulwich took the lead and the fans went wild.

Super charged Dulwich had another couple of chances before half time when a precision free kick from Lilly Price found Brit Saylor who came close to putting it in the back of the net, followed by an excellent shot by Phoebe Read being expertly saved by Billericay’s keeper.

The halftime whistle went and Dulwich headed back to the changing rooms brimming with confidence and a 1-0 lead over their National League opponents.

Billericay came out in the second half with a confidence they did not show in the first half and were quick to equalise on the 50th minute as Soraya Walsh shot from the inside edge of the penalty area and put the ball past Saskia Reeves-Priestley.

Ryan Dempsey responded to Billericay’s renewed enthusiasm by swapping Luna Alves Etienne for Angel Reid in order to bring on a fresh pair of legs.

Shortly after, a brilliant cross was put into the penalty area and found Asia Harbour Brown who headed her effort from close range, only for it to land in the hands of the keeper which was followed by the second substitution of the game when Ceylon Hickman came on for Morgan Searle.

With time running out and the prospect of extra time loomed ever more, Billericay would likely have taken the lead if it we not for Jodie Lodge running back and putting in a well-timed tackle on Maddie Biggs to prevent her scoring.

Maddie Biggs however got her goal in the 90th minute scoreing Billericay’s second goal of the game when she slotted in from the right-hand side of the goal.

Dulwich’s FA Cup dreams were over for another season in the same round we were knocked out in last season but no one can say the entire team did not put everything they had into it.

Billericay went on to draw London City Lionesses from the Women’s Championship, the second tier of English Women’s football.

  • Dulwich Hamlet Line Up: DHFCW Line-Up: 1. Saskia Reeves Priestley , 2. Jodie Lodge, 3. Asia Harbour Brown, 8. Brit Saylor (C), 9. Summer Roberts, 12. Erin Corrigan, 15. Pheobe Reid, 17. Luna Alves Etienne , 18. Morgan Searle, 9. Shakira Kafero-Robert, 22. Lily Price Subs: 4. Rhea Gall, 7. Angel Reid, 13. Ceylon Hickman , 14. Lucy Monkman, 16. Tia Searle 22. Martha Goddard

MATCH REPORT | Barking 0 Dulwich 6

  • Date: Sunday 01 October 2023
  • Venue: Lawtech Stadium
  • Attendance: Unknown

Last Sunday the team travelled to East London to compete in this year’s Women’s FA Cup against Barking FC. 

On the back of four wins in a row, the team went into this game full of confidence and seeking to put in another high tempo performance to ensure that they would be draw for the next round. 

With Barking competing at the same league step as Dulwich and having been promoted the previous year, a tough cup tie was expected by the traveling Hamlet supporters. 

Whilst both teams started strongly and equally had chances to break the deadlock, Hamlet started to take control of the game and in the 12 minute Angel Read came close in putting the Hamlet in front but the Barking keeper saved the close range effort.  Within minutes Hamlet had another chance to take the lead, but again the home keeper was able to save when forward Shakira Kafero-Roberts, went one-to-one with the Barking shot stopper which resulted in a corner for the visitors. 

Finally, the early Hamlet pressure paid off and in the 16 minute the visitors went ahead. A great cross into the penalty area, by Lily Price, found Kafero-Roberts who slotted her effort first time into the back of the net. 

Minutes later the lead was doubled. Another cross from out wide, this time from Reha Gall, found Summer Roberts who put the ball into the net for her first goal of the game. 

The Hamlet continued to apply pressure to the Barking defence and almost got a third in the 25 minute, but Roberts put her effort wide. 

Dulwich was now in full command of the game and in the 35 minute Phoebe Read made it three for the Hamlet! Following good work by Asia Harbour-Brown, who rounded the home team keeper, she managed to pick out Read who scored to put Dulwich three – nil to the good. 

Soon Dulwich made it four when in the 39 minute Gall scored following a Roberts head that hit the post only for Gall to head in the rebound. 

The second half started the same as the first half, with both teams having an equal opportunity with the ball.  Despite the Barking procession, the Hamlet defence stood firm and continued to pacify the Barking attacks. 

The first real chance of this half came on the 63 minute when Kafero-Roberts, who was always in the thick of it going forward, attempted a lob over the keeper but her effort went over the bar. 

Within a minute it was five for Dulwich, when Roberts scored her second of the game. 

Not long after a corner-kick delivery from Lily Price Read in the penalty area whose first time volley was headed on the line by the Barking defence. 

Roberts capped a great day by completing her first hat-trick for the club in the 80 minute. As Barking keeper came out of their box to try to collect the ball, Roberts managed to round the keeper to slot the ball into the empty net. 

That was to be the final goal of the game and in stoppage time, adding to the home teams already bad day, they went down to ten players when Kafero-Roberts was fouled denying her a goalscoring opportunity and leaving the referee no choice but to issue a red card.  The win see’s the team through to the Women’s FA Cup Third Round Qualifying away to Headstone Manor on Sunday 4 October. 

 

MATCH REPORT | Cheshunt 1 Dulwich 9

  • Date: Wednesday 27 September 2023
  • Venue: Theobalds Lane
  • Attendance: Unknown

Dulwich went on the attack from the off and within the first minute Lucy Monkman put through Rebecca May for an early chance from which the Cheshunt keeper saved comfortably.

However, just minutes later Hamlet were one nil up. Team captain Brit Saylor put in a cross from the right-hand side and Iris Lacey slotted the ball home at the back post.

Cheshunt had an early chance to equalise, however the free kick cleared the aways teams bar without troubling goalkeeper Saskia Reeves Priestley.

From the resulting goal kick, Dulwich created an opportunity to score their second but Lucy Monkman’s half volley from 25 yards out just clears the home team’s crossbar.

Minutes later Angel Reid plays in Lacey but her shot sneaks just to the left of the upright. Dulwich continued to pressure the Cheshunt defence and their second goal finally came in the 13 minute when Angel Reid, following a powerful run, lays it up for Lucy Monkman who dinks it over the on-rushing keeper and into the back of the net.

Now 2 - 0 up, the Hamlet continued surging forward and their third goal came in the 24 minute when a penalty was awarded to Dulwich when May was chopped down in the box. Saylor stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty to the right of the keeper.

Six minutes later it was 4-0 to the Hamlet again from the penalty spot. This time Reid was fouled just inside the box and Saylor again stepped up and put the ball into the same spot as last time.

In the 34 minute it was time for Cheshunt to have a penalty of their own following a foul by Ceylon Hickman on the Cheshunt 14. The penalty is dispatched calmly into the goal to make it 4 -1. 

Dulwich continued to pressure the home team and eventually recorded their fifth goal of the night after 42 minutes. Price’s free kick, some 35 yards out, is met by Rhea Gall who buries a diving header between the posts. 5-1 Hamlet!

Just three minutes later and on the stroke of half time, it’s Price’s turn to get onto the goal sheet when her in-swinging corner, from the left, beats the keeper and nestles in the bottom right corner of the goal. 

The half time whistle goals and Dulwich finish the half with a comfortable 6-1 lead against the home team, Cheshunt.

Dulwich started the second half as they finished the first and within a minute they create another chance when Saylor dinks the ball across the goal mouth, Monkman meets it at the back post but the ball sneaks just wide.

It was clear that the team were going all out to score more goals this half and in the 53 minute Lacey gets her second of the game.  Reid’s blistering run down the left resulted in her to cut back the ball to Lacey who calmly side foots it into the top left corner.

The visitors continued to pressure the home team and despite winning 5 corners in a row the eight goal did not come until the 73 minute.  A scramble in the box results in Tia Searle tucking the ball into the net following a double save from the Cheshunt keeper.

Dulwich wasn’t finished, the ninth and final goal came two minutes from normal time, Searle squares the ball into the box and Kafoero-Roberts turns the ball in for a simple finish. 9-1 and Dulwich are safely into the next round of the Isthmian Women’s cup.

MATCH REPORT | Dulwich 2 Millwall Lionesses 0

  • Date: Tuesday 19 September 2023
  • Venue: Champion Hill
  • Attendance: 335

Champion Hill was full of anticipation for the local Derby against Millwall FC. It would be the first time they have met since our 2-1 defeat at the New Den in the final game of last season.

Before the game, Dulwich mischievously announced on social media that they had signed former Millwall player Angel Reid, who had come to training a couple of times and decided she wanted to take up our offer and sign with us. Reid played a key role on the left-wing in their win against us at the New Den in May. She also scored a memorable goal in their 6-2 win over the Hamlet at Champion Hill in September 2022.

Dulwich started off strongly and had the best of the play in the first 10 minutes leading to a beautiful build-up when Asia Harbour Brown raced down the left wing, crossed the ball into the box which was nodded over just over the bar by Shakira Kafero-Roberts. Shortly afterwards, Kafero -Roberts broke down the left and fired just wide of the goal.

The first goal for the Hamlet came after 19 minutes. Kafero-Roberts capitalised on a defensive error, rounded the Millwall keeper put the ball into an empty net to the delight of the noisy Pepper Army. Hamlet 1. Lionesses 0.

Six minutes later, and after relentless pressure, Dulwich go two nil up after Summer Roberts received the ball at the edge of the box and bent a shot into the far corner.

On the half hour mark there was a yellow for Millwall’s Ella Bailey for preventing a counter attack for the Hamlet. A minute later, Roberts latches onto a defensive header but can’t find the target from range this time.

With most of the first half dominated by a vibrant Dulwich team, Millwall decided to take action with a double change as Emel Huseyin and Ellie Cole replaced Shay Bennett and Ella Bailey.

As the half time whistle blew, the Pepper Army reflected on a brilliant first half performance as Dulwich went back down the player’s tunnel with a two-goal lead.

The second half saw Tia Searle come on for Luna Alves Etienne and the Hamlet started at a slower pace but they wanted to show the Lionesses that they were still dangerous in front of the goal and in the 56th minute, a pitch perfect free kick was taken by Lily Price who sent it to the far post, where Harbour Brown arrived. She could not keep her header down though and it went over the bar. Dulwich have another attempt at third goal cup shortly afterwards as Kafero-Roberts sprinted down the right wing and sent a low cross into the penalty area which found Summer Roberts. After having her initial shot blocked, the rebound whistles just over the bar.

Dulwich continued to put on the pressure after Harbour Brown outmuscled her marker to burst into space and releases Phoebe Read in the area whose shot forced Millwall’s keeper into a save.

In the 66th minute, Dulwich made their second change of the afternoon as Read is brought off for Anna Jowle.

With six minutes to go, Kafero-Roberts bursts away again and probably should have had a penalty, but tried to stay on her feet to score. A moment later, Harbour Brown drags an effort wide of the far post.

With a victory near on nailed, a huge ovation went around Champion Hill as Summer Roberts left the field to be replaced by Lucy Monkman.
As the referee blew the whistle, the team ran towards the Toilets Opposite Stand to celebrate with the Pepper Army as bragging rights when to the pink and blue area of the neighbourhood.

DHFCW Line-Up: 1 Saskia Reeves-Priestley, 2 Jodie Lodge 3 Asia Harbour Brown, 8 Brit Saylor (c), 9 Summer Roberts (14 Lucy Monkman 87’), 12 Erin Corrigan, 15 Phoebe Read (6 Anna Jowle 76’), 17 Luna Alves Etienne (16 Tia Searle 45’) 18 Morgan Searle 19 Shakira Kafero-Roberts, 21 Lily Price Unused Substitution: 13 Ceylon Hickman 20 Minnie Cruttwell 13 Ceylon Hickman, Goalscorers: Kafero-Roberts 19’, Summer Roberts 25’

Millwall LFC Line- Up: Chrissie Wiggins, Tyra Poole (Shay Bennett 65’), Millie Connell, Chloe Burr (Emma Whitter 88’), Hannah Gilmour, Sophie Chapman, Olivia McGregor (Shannan Drewe 88’), Ella Bailey (Ellie Cole 35’), Emma Whitter (c)( Maddie Bone 74’), Shay Bennett (Emel Huseyin 35’), Shannan Drewe Unused Substitutions: Ellen Napper, Melissa Jones, Yellow Card: Ella Bailey 30’

  • Dulwich Hamlet Line Up: 1 Saskia Reeves-Priestley, 2 Jodie Lodge 3 Asia Harbour Brown, 8 Brit Saylor (c), 9 Summer Roberts (14 Lucy Monkman 87’), 12 Erin Corrigan, 15 Phoebe Read (6 Anna Jowle 76’), 17 Luna Alves Etienne (16 Tia Searle 45’) 18 Morgan Searle 19 Shakira Kafero-Roberts, 21 Lily Price Unused Substitution: 13 Ceylon Hickman 20 Minnie Cruttwell 13 Ceylon Hickman, Goalscorers: Kafero-Roberts 19’, Summer Roberts 25’
  • Opposition Line Up : Chrissie Wiggins, Tyra Poole (Shay Bennett 65’), Millie Connell, Chloe Burr (Emma Whitter 88’), Hannah Gilmour, Sophie Chapman, Olivia McGregor (Shannan Drewe 88’), Ella Bailey (Ellie Cole 35’), Emma Whitter (c)( Maddie Bone 74’), Shay Bennett (Emel Huseyin 35’), Shannan Drewe Unused Substitutions: Ellen Napper, Melissa Jones, Yellow Card: Ella Bailey 30’

Match Report | Dulwich Hamlet 2 Ashford United 0

  • Date: Sunday 10 September 2023
  • Venue: Champion Hill
  • Attendance: 225

Goals in the first half from Summer Roberts and captain Brit Saylor helped the Hamlet on their way to their first win of the season against newly promoted Ashford United.

It was the performance of Sharna Greenaway in the Ashford goal, combined with a slight lack of clinical finishing, that restricted us to just the two goals.

Going into this game, the team was on the back of back-to-back league defeats and despite giving a valiant effort against a very good Ebbsfleet United team last time out, they were unable to get a home win, going down 4-2. However, Ryan Dempsey would use the majority of his starting XI from the previous game, with just one change, as Luna Alves Etienne came in for her first start of the season.

The hosts got off to a positive start in the game, taking the initiative early on, and found themselves coming close on three occasions in the opening three minutes as they repeatedly pinned the visitors back.

It wouldn't take long before the home side took the lead in the fourth minute, as Roberts’ headed goal from a brilliant weighted cross from Alves Etienne making the early difference. It also meant that Summer had netted in successive games, with the dual-registered AFC Wimbledon forward looking a coup of a signing already.

The home side continued to dominate throughout the half and could have got themselves a second goal had Player of the Match Phoebe Read not misguided her header over the bar from close range.

It is no exaggeration to suggest that Dulwich were enjoying complete dominance over their opponents, having more than 80% possession, and had many chances to add to their lead. Lily Price repeatedly tried her luck from range, with Ashford slow to put bodies on her, but each time saw Greenaway well-positioned to get behind the ball.

However, the goalkeeper would play a part in our second goal during first-half injury-time. Another ball up to Roberts was once more controlled by the striker, bullishly holding off defenders. Teeing up Saylor from range, the captain let fly, with Greenaway only able to palm the ball into the corner of the net to double our lead heading into the break.

In sweltering conditions which saw the players stop for two planned water breaks during the afternoon, during which they could be seen with cold compresses and towels around the necks and heads, we didn’t let the concentration levels drop in the second half, and continued to create half-chances.

Vice-captain Asia Harbour Brown almost scored her first goal in more than a year, firing wide of the near post, whilst Alves Etienne and Price were off target too when shooting from range.

Greenaway had to be alert again as debutant Iris Lacey almost celebrated her first outing in style, before another more comfortable save denied a second Roberts header. No further goals then, but this was irrelevant as we collected our first three points of the season.

Dulwich Hamlet Line-Up: 1 Saskia Reeves-Priestley, 2 Jodie Lodge (20 Minnie Cruttwell 72’), 3 Asia Harbour Brown (14 Lucy Monkman 72’), 8 Brit Saylor (c), 9 Summer Roberts, 12 Erin Corrigan, 15 Phoebe Read (22 Iris Lacey), 17 Luna Alves Etienne (16 Tia Searle 64’) 18 Morgan Searle (13 Ceylon Hickman 80’), 19 Shakira Kafero-Roberts (17 Luna Alves Etienne 90+4’), 21 Lily Price

Goalscorers: Summer Roberts 4’, Brit Saylor 45+2’

Ashford United Line-Up: 0.1 Sharna Greenaway, 2 Samantha Jackson (5 Holly Diamond 35’), 4 Ronni Jeffrey (13 Emily Diamond 90+1’), 6 Yasmin Howard (c), 8 Karis Howard, 10 Lizzie Buckingham, 11 Rachel Stevens (22 Frankie Stannard 84’), 15 Jodie Cain, 17 Abbey Davies, 20 Sophie Brown, 21 Jenny Newman (13 Emily Diamond 17’ (21 Jenny Newman 46’))

Unused Substitutions: 1 Lucy Green, 7 Charlotte Marsh

Referee: Ian Newman
Attendance: 225 (+4 dogs)

Match Report | Dulwich 2 Ebbsfleet United 4

  • Date: Sunday 03 September 2023
  • Venue: Champion Hill

Goals from Summer Roberts and Brit Saylor in the second-half weren't enough as the Hamlet lost 4-2 to Ebbsfleet United in their first home game of the season.

Following their defeat at Dartford two weeks ago, the Hamlet were looking to get back to winning ways at home in front of a strong Champion Hill crowd of 563.

Emerging to a cacophony of noise, and kicking off to a shower of confetti and pink and blue smoke, the Hamlet got themselves off to a strong start, playing on the front-foot in the attacking areas and applied pressure to the visitors.

But it was Mia Lockett who created the first real opportunity in the 22nd minute of the game, as she cut the ball onto the outside and got a shot from her right foot only for her curling effort to go just wide of the post.

Another chance came seven minutes later as Roberts got a shot away on the edge of the penalty box only for her effort to be tipped over the bar by the Ebbsfleet keeper Courtney Shanly.

A minute later and despite the hosts dominating the game, the away side took the lead through Logan O'Shea. A clearance downfield caught out Erin Corrigan, and the former Billericay forward was able to turn inside Morgan Searle, and curl a shot around Saskia Reeves-Priestley.

Things would go from bad to worse as Ebbsfleet would score their second goal in just two minutes, as Amy Russ slotted her effort into the bottom right corner following a misplaced pass from Phoebe Read. Two mistakes and suddenly we were 2-0 down.

Dulwich's new number nine Roberts was certainly making herself a handful in and around the penalty area as her header from an Erin Corrigan cross went over the bar. Not only was she a goal threat towards the end of the first half, she was also on hand to provide opportunities for her team mates, as she provided a through ball to Lockett who couldn't make the most of it in the end.

Into the second half, the Hamlet continued to create chances in search of a goal. Their persistence paid off ten minutes into the half as a great ball into the box from a corner kick from Lily Price found Roberts, who headed her effort into the back of the net.

And the home team thought they equalised four minutes later, but captain Brit Saylor's toe poked her effort agonisingly onto the post and wide.

The visitors would get their third goal of the game in the 65th minute through substitute Amelia Woodgate. Last season's top scorer had been on the pitch for just three minutes when she received a ball on the outside of the penalty area, sending a drive crashing over Reeves-Priestley and in via the crossbar.

Despite this, Ryan Dempsey's team continued to battle hard and were unfortunate not to get a second goal in the game, as Lockett hit the bar with an audacious attempt with the outside of her right foot.

This would be short lived as Dulwich conceded a fourth goal as Woodgate beat the offside trap to slot in scored her second goal of the game, two goals in just fifteen minutes for the striker.

The hostesses would finally get their second goal four minutes from time as Saylor scored from the penalty spot after Lockett was brought down in the box.

Another defeat for the home side but there were many positives to pick out despite the scoreline, with Ryan's side playing the better football throughout the afternoon, and deserved their rousing send-off from the pitch.

Dulwich Hamlet Line-Up: 1 Saskia Reeves-Priestley, 2 Jodie Lodge (20 Minnie Cruttwell 79'), 3 Asia Harbour Brown (16 Tia Searle 79'), 8 Brit Saylor (c), 9 Summer Roberts, 10 Mia Lockett, 12 Erin Corrigan, 15 Phoebe Read (11 Rebecca May 88'), 18 Morgan Searle, 19 Shakira Kafero-Roberts (17 Luna Alves Etienne 72'), 21 Lily Price

Unused Substitution: 13 Ceylon Hickman

Goalscorers: Summer Roberts 55', Brit Saylor 85' (pen)

Yellow Card: Mia Lockett FT

Ebbsfleet United Line-Up: 1 Courtney Shanly, 2 Casey Iron, 3 Millie Waud, 5 Hannah Porter, 6 Stef Simmons (4 Niamh O'Neill 80'), 7 Logan O'Shea (16 Lily Hewitt 86'), 8 Charley Clifford (15 Maddie Reynolds 41'), 10 Amy Russ, 11 Lydia Wills (9 Amelia Woodgate 62'), 14 Asanteni Charles (12 Madison Woodgate 86'), 27 Dan Carlton (c)

Goalscorers: Logan O'Shea 31, Amy Russ 33', Amelia Woodgate 65', 77'

Yellow Card: Asanteni Charles FT

Referee: Iain Bryant
Attendance: 563

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Edgar Kail Way,
East Dulwich,
London.
SE22 8BD.

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