CLUB STATEMENT: DHFCW Reserves vs Walton Casuals

Following an incident of racist abuse in the reverse fixture this season the club will be playing this game behind closed doors.

As with all incidents of physical and verbal abuse the club followed the correct reporting procedures with the authorities but are disappointed that the lack of action resulted in our players feeling unsafe and so unwilling to play this game. After discussions with team managers and players a list of conditions was identified that, if agreed with the opposition, the game could go ahead. Playing behind closed doors was one of those conditions.

The club have been happy throughout the process to support whatever decision the players wished to take regarding the game irrespective of potential punishment from the football authorities. This decision was taken to provide them with the protection they should be able to expect from the football authorities. It should not fall to individual clubs and their players to have to take the lead.

It is clear from this incident and others like it that the processes and policies in place are woefully inadequate and there is both an inability and a reluctance to deal with many serious abusive situations that occur with players or fans.

As a result not only will we continue to pursue the authorities on this individual case but also push for a change in how fast and how seriously these incidents are dealt with. This incident is not resolved which is why we are not commenting on the detail of what occurred on the day or since.

Fans among you who have read past columns regarding the incidents this season will know that we do not believe words are enough, it is not enough to condemn racism and other forms of abuse, it is action that is required if we are to remove it from our game.

This season has seen a worrying increase in incidents at matches, urgent action is needed to reverse that trend. Authorities that have taken no action between the two fixtures despite constant chasing have demonstrated they are part of the problem.

We will continue to work with positive influences and organisations in the game and increase our efforts to test and then hopefully help improve the rules and policies of the game so those failings can be addressed.

Dulwich Hamlet 0 - 3 Millwall Lionesses

Opportunism counts for a lot in football. You can have a team stuffed with talent, a canny and strategic manager and enough grit to de-ice Dog Kennel Hill for a thousand Januaries - and Dulwich have all of that in spades (not to mention a supportive crowd, numbering 472 for the first home game of the year) but sometimes it’s just the team that makes the most of its chances that walks away victorious. Despite plenty of sparkle from Dulwich Hamlet this week, they just couldn’t convert, while their fellow SE London opponents made lemonade all afternoon.

Dulwich opened with confidence, with frontline stars Sophie Manzi and Lucy Monkman going after multiple chances in the opening minutes, but Millwall keeper Chrissie Wiggins was a wall of nope from the start, seeing off all attempts. Ten minutes in, Molly Hawkins scored with Millwall’s first shot on goal - an auspicious start for the visitors, and one that would change the tone for the rest of the game. An audacious, long free kick a minute later threatened to double the lead, but returning keeper Klaudia Kovacs threw hands and it scraped the top of the post.

Asia Harbour-Brown, and Rhea Gall - back with the Hamlet after six months living in Argentina - worked hard to set up new channels of attack, but couldn’t find connections and the chances fizzled out, including a cross from Gall into the box that could have lit the Hill on fire if it had found its way home. Dulwich increased the pressure, but Millwall responded physically, hauling Hannah Baptiste down in front of the box, and attracting the ref’s attention after Milly Penfold pulled Gall to the ground. Hawkins escaped down the left wing with the ball and an idea, but met Gall - the collision handed Millwall a free kick but their aerial plan was badly positioned and came to nothing. Another volley from the Millwall frontline was closed down by Kovacs, alert to the danger and ready to stop them.

It was a frustrating half for Dulwich, kept in midfield and denied chances by Millwall. Against the visitors’ strong keeper, a coordinated attack and some serious pressing was needed, with either a battering ram assault to exhaust her or some devious routes into the box, but the Hamlet weren’t good enough in transition and handed over the ball too many times. Dulwich’s last chance of the first half came just before the whistle, as Monkman spotted an opportunity in the box but didn’t have the support to help her get round her mark.

Dulwich returned with new ideas; Sarah Walters’ clever defending shut down a Millwall attack, and a lightning wing run from Harbour-Brown sent the ball into the box only to be defused by Millwall’s defence. Manzi spanked a shot over the heads of the defenders which Monkman raced to finish, but Wiggins was there first. Millwall looked for a route down the wing but Walters and Chana Hinds denied them, while Harbour-Brown scouted more chances. But what Dulwich brought in hope, Millwall matched in confidence. In the 59th minute, Chloe Burr zipped into the box and buried a goal - Hinds fought to block her but couldn’t close it down. Millwall were on a roll, and made it 3-0 two minutes later - Burr again with a torpedo from outside the box.

Dulwich, who never go quietly, fought to rebalance the situation. A great tackle from Manzi gave the newly subbed-in Sas Philp a chance - she kept it in play, and Manzi booted a shot straight at goal - a beaut, but disallowed by a linesman with an offside flag and no sense of fun. Undeterred, Manzi tried to create some surprise with a neat sideways kick to outfox her mark.

Dulwich’s second half was full of smart little flourishes like that - Monkman’s wasp-like ability to zoom in and attack from nowhere, Manzi’s all-round excellence on the ball - but collectively the team seemed to suffer from shortsightedness with how to weaponise that skill. The connections weren’t there, the passing wasn’t thoughtful enough. It felt reactive when they most urgently needed to plan and build an attack.

In the final fifteen, Harbour-Brown - with seemingly endless energy - kept the pressure up, partnering with Zoe Elmore to create in midfield and change the outcome, but Millwall were everywhere they turned, hoovering up every possibility. Walters and Gall saw Millwall trying for a fourth and saw them off, communicating well with Kovacs. Weirdly, Millwall - who should have been enjoying themselves - showed some temper, as Maisie Joyce shoved Elmore to the ground. A furious Champion Hill crowd roared “off! off!”, and Millwall took Joyce and her yellow card off the field immediately.

Millwall were still after a fourth goal, but Harbour-Brown whipped round and headed them off at the pass. Gall fired a free kick to Manzi, which Millwall scooped up, but Hinds got forward and kept it in play. Monki had a chance to finish it but Millwall’s keeper dived and covered it, determined to keep her sheet clean. More temper from Millwall went unchecked this time, Milly Penfold fully shoving Harbour-Brown to the floor, to the ref’s indifference, though he penalised Philp for a tackle seconds later, handing Millwall a free kick that came to nothing. The six minutes of added time felt like twelve, with Dulwich looking outrun. There were still chances for them, including a beautiful shot from Philp, which looked on target but clipped wide of the post, but Millwall had the game wrapped up.

Dulwich have some figuring out to do. As ever, there’s a wealth of talent and tenacity, as they showed in flamboyant recent wins over London Seaward and Denham United, but they need to improve their communication and transition, and position better to support the chances they create. Too many times, one or another player seemed to be out front on their own, against a solid team who took every chance they got, with a brick wall of a keeper giving them the foundation for a hard-to-beat approach.

Attendance: 472

Dulwich Hamlet FCW:
1 Klaudia Kovacs; 3 Rhea Gall; 4 Chana Hinds; 6 Sarah Walters; 9 Sophie Manzi; 10 Anna Jowle; 14 Lucy Monkman; 15 Hannah Baptiste; 17 Anna Stones; 18 Asia Harbour-Brown; 20 Minnie Crutwell;

Subs:
7 Sas Philp; 11 Zoe Elmore; 21 Jazmine Lacrette; 22 Joanna Gibson

Millwall Lionesses:
1 Chrissie Wiggins; 2 Millie Connell; 3 Elizabeth O’Callaghan; 5 Jordan Butler; 6 Amy Nash; 8 Libby Stubbs; 11 Lucy Bolitho; 12 Chloe Burr; 16 Milly Penfold; 17 Maisie Joyce; 19 Molly Hawkins;

Subs:
9 Ellie Hinkley; 10 Lottie Ivison; 13 Serena Hand; 15 Aiofe Saunders; 20 Kaydence Kabadaki

Referee:
Gary Strangwood

Assistant refs:
Mark Casswell
Grisha Zeigermaher

Photo:[ Liam Asman

Dulwich Hamlet FCW 4 - 1 London Seaward

Sunday 21 November 2021
London Capital Cup

It’s been a somewhat rocky road for Dulwich Hamlet recently. Regular viewers know the depth in this squad, and their first two seasons saw them settle in comfortably at the top of the table, choosing furniture and picking out paint colours (pink and a handsome shade of navy, obvs). This season the mojo has been shakier: why? Injured stalwarts, talented new signings still building chemistry with each other? Growing excellence from other teams? The depressing skulduggery that denied them a well-earned promotion last season? It could be all or none of the above, but the Hamlet haven’t quite seemed themselves - until today. Spare a thought for London Seaward, who rolled into town the day Dulwich got their devil back. The former Leyton Orient players dwell in the next league up, which fazed the Hamlet less than none.

Dulwich were off the starting block with speed, chancing a shot past the goal in the first minute. Both teams tested each others’ defences, Seaward keeper Elleah Fenner saving Rosie Stone’s free kick, and the dependable Chana Hinds rerouting a dangerous looking Hayley Barton in the box. Ellie Millbourn set out her stall for her home debut, shaking off her mark and creating some mischief in the box. Her creativity paid off - minutes later, she marked her card with a goal at 19’, cleanly finishing a direct run into the box.

It set the tone for Dulwich, who kept Seaward on the back foot as they tried out a string of ideas - a cheeky go at a brace from Millbourn, a long shot from Sophie Manzi, and Anna Jowle looking for her own way into the box. Seaward could find no traction in midfield, thwarted by Harriet Crofts defending high up the pitch. In the 30th, it seemed Seaward would find the counterbalance, but couldn’t drive a ricocheting ball anywhere closer than the crossbar. Dulwich were having none of it, and Anna Stones reasserted dominance with a gorgeous sliding tackle. Sadly the referee showed little appreciation for great art, and handed Seaward a free kick from midfield. Egle Trezzi’s optimistic strike was powerful but comfortably wide.

With halftime bearing down, Seaward raced to find an equaliser; no through route down the wing, with Hinds guarding the left flank, and Saskia Reeves-Priestley saw off a player casing the right edge of the box. Dulwich returned to the locker room clutching the advantage.

If the East Londoners thought the second half would bring redemption, their hopes lasted seconds. Manzi closed on the edge of the area in the 46th and slammed a shot into the back of the net, making short work of a well-aimed dive by Fenner. London Seaward saw the urgency of finding a foothold in the game, and regrouped. The chances volleyed box-to-box as both teams tried to wrest control, Asia Harbour-Brown trying for a third Dulwich goal, and Niamh Carty looking for a Seaward opener. The visitors’ efforts delivered - Seaward opened their account at 57 minutes with Giorgia Bracelli’s shot which slipped sneakily past Reeves-Priestley.

Dulwich had tasted victory, and were not handing it back. Seaward, revitalised, pounded at the Dulwich defences, but the home side’s organised approach kept the score locked down. Chana Hinds beat three hungry midfielders in a pounding run down the wing, while Harbour-Brown and Stones relayed back and forth across the field to set up opportunities. Hayley Barton fought to level the score, but a misjudged strike and a fearless save off the line from Reeves-Priestley dulled her chances. A subbed-in Hannah Baptiste brought reinforcements, providing back-up to the hardworking Hinds, giving Dulwich room to scope out their next opportunity.

Desperation started to show for Seaward. An ill-judged foul on Rosie Stone handed her a free kick, which skipped over the bar. Harbour-Brown outsmarted her mark with some canny footwork, and a vicious tackle sent her flying moments later as fury and panic started to dominate the visitor’s tactics. Manzi’s free kick was knocked out of orbit by a doozy of a save, but Dulwich kept their cool, trusting in their game plan, and the coordinated approach paid off beautifully. In the twilight minutes, Baptiste made magic of a corner, heading it deftly into the net to put Dulwich 3-1 up at 84 minutes. A furious Kate Kerr showed her temper, trying to kick a placed ball away from Manzi. Dulwich had the last laugh - a triumphant Lucy Monkman finished a perfect Harbour-Brown cross with a neat tap-in at the 89th to seal the deal for the Hamlet.

Dulwich were organised, focused, determined, read each other effectively and converted their chances with flair. An exceptional team effort, with the younger players showing imagination and commitment and gelling neatly with the more established players - this is the team we know and love. Seaward fought hard, but a lack of discipline undressed them. They let temper derail their grit and knock them off balance when they most needed to regain their footing. For Dulwich it’s a much needed restorative, a ride into the next round of the Cup, and the reminder they and we needed that this team has the chemistry to bring the fight to the rest of the season.

Attendance: 238

Dulwich Hamlet:
1 Saskia Reeves-Priestley; 4 Chana Hinds; 5 Rosie Stone; 6 Sarah Walters; 9 Sophia Manzi (c); 10 Anna Jowle; 11 Anna Stones; 12 Minnie Crutwell; 16 Ellie Millbourn; 18 Asia Harbour-Brown; 20 Harriet Crofts

Subs:
14 Lucy Monkman; 15 Hannah Baptiste; 17 Sarah Milner; 19 Jordan Williamson; 21 Jazmine Lacrette

London Seaward:
6 Giorgia Bracelli; 8 Egle Trezzi; 10 Hayley Barton; 11 Kayleigh Xidhas; 13 Kate Kerr; 15 Elleah Fenner (keeper); 25 Skye McNally; 26 Maisie Cannon; 30 Ash Marchant; 34 Felicia Lodin; 36 Gemma Howes;

Subs:
3 Cheryl Anderson; 23 Niamh Carty; 39 Seren Ahmet

Referees: Anjam Mirza

Photo: Liam Asman

Denham United Ladies 0 Dulwich Hamlet 5

[b]Hamlet renaissance continues apace as Dulwich turn on the second half style to romp to an emphatic victory over a spirited opposition in Baltic conditions on a difficult pitch.[/b]

There’s a renewed buzz about the Hamlet of late as, buoyed by last week’s rollicking win over higher league opponents London Seaward, the team continued to put daylight between themselves and those struggling at the wrong end of the table, hosts Denham United amongst those in trouble. Dulwich were still missing several key players, but the future continues to look bright with those youngsters coming through continuing to impress most of all Asia Harbour Brown whose dynamic runs down the left saw her involved in a number of the goals as well as bagging a much-deserved if tad fortunate goal!

With unthawed ice still present in the car park puddles it was clear that the conditions might prove difficult, if not more for chilly spectators layered up on the side-lines than for the players. A tufty grassed, bobbly pitch proved more of a hindrance than the elements and it took some time for the game to settle into any sort of rhythm even after Dulwich claimed the upper hand with a 6th minute goal. Controlling a long pass from Rosie Stone, Harbour Brown took the ball past a defender only to be clipped by a clumsy challenge. Rather a cheap penalty but a penalty all the same and an offer Sophie Manzi could not refuse. Zara Butt in the home goal guessed correct but Manzi’s spot kick was perfectly placed high and wide to the keeper’s right.

The tricky conditions underfoot made chances hard to come by but when they did it was pretty much one way traffic in favour of the Hamlet. Ellie Millbourn’s shot on the turn from the edge of the area bounced wide of Butt’s left-hand post whilst Harbour Brown did likewise after latching on to a half-cleared corner. Millbourn was denied by Butt as she met Manzi’s pass before Manzi herself met a Stone corner with a deft header than went just the wrong side of the near upright. Just after the half-hour mark Hannah Baptiste hit a powerful shot on the run from distance that Butt spilled but recovered before any attacker could capitalise. Dulwich might have been gifted a second penalty when the ball struck the hands of a defender as she shielded her face from a strong shot but for all their endeavours and industry it was that single spot kick that separated the side at the break.

That frustration would continue into the second half with Dulwich striving hard to find the keys to unlock the home defence once again. The lack of a cushion almost proved telling just before the hour mark as a rare moment of danger allowed Denham striker Millie Congerton in only to hurry her opportunity and stab the ball wide of Saskia Reeves-Priestly’s goal. It was time to add fresh blood to the mix with Dulwich making full use of the bench. That was just what the doctor ordered with the Denham goal coming under increasing pressure until, on 70 minutes, it cracked. Receiving the ball on the left Harbour Brown laid a pass down the line to Manzi who turned inside, her sights set irrevocably on goal as she led the defence a merry dance, cutting inside one, outpacing another before being unceremoniously sent tumbling to the turf by Jo Torr’s uncompromising trip. The perfect punishment from the perfect executioner as Manzi tucked the ball nonchalantly tightly inside Butt’s left-hand post. With the men’s team currently on a barren spell of spot kicks, it seems the Dulwich skipper might be just the player to show them how to end their drought!

That second goal was just the spark Dulwich needed to light the fire. Within ten minutes those glowing embers had become a raging inferno. Harbour Brown’s storming run down the left and pinpoint delivery was the catalyst for Manzi to complete her hat trick, her goalscoring instincts finely honed as, despite a distracting bobble as the ball zipped across the face of the six-yard box, she pounced on the cross to slot the ball past the ‘keeper. Straight from the restart Dulwich snatched back possession, a creative move in the middle of the park seeing the ball switched from left wing to right as substitute Zoë Elmore’s deep ball down the wing found Minnie Cruttwell cantering down the flank. Her pass found Lucy Monkman in the box whose cheeky backheel couldn’t create the space for her to shot but was swooped on by Sas Philp, lashing a first-time effort low inside the left-hand post of the diving Butt. 60 seconds later the fifth arrived courtesy of Harbour Brown. Once more marauding on the left, Harbour Brown collected a deep delivery from Elmore, firing the ball in from a tight angle and catching Butt out, who despite her best efforts could not prevent the shot beating her at her near post.

With three more games to come in the run up to the Christmas break, the opportunity is there for Dulwich Hamlet to climb the table in the last weeks of the year. That said there must be an air of frustration to see Ashford Town (Middx) perched in pole position, setting the stage alight in the Vitality Cup and beating all before them bar that draw at Champion Hill back in October. Next stop on the revival tour Aylesford Ladies on Sunday.

Attendance: c. 40

Denham United Ladies FC:
1: Zara Butt; 2: Kodi Spencer; 3: Chloe Smith; 4: Daisy Baranowski; 5: Lauren Cox; 6: Joanne Torr; 7: Dadrian Kennedy; 8: Kayleigh Currivan; 9: Millie Congerton; 10: Annie Hewitt; 11: Keira O’Leary

Substitute used:Courtney Woolley
Substitute not used: Eva Watson

Dulwich Hamlet FCW:
1: Saskia Reeves-Priestly; 4: Chana Hinds; 5: Roisin Stone; 6: Sarah Walters; 12: Minnie Cruttwell; 15: Hannah Baptiste; 16: Ellie Millbourn; 20: Harriet Crofts; 10: Anna Jowle; 3: Asia Harbour Brown; 9: Sophie Manzi

Substitutes used: 11: Zoë Elmore; 21: Jazmine Lacrette; 14: Lucy Monkman; 7: Sas Philp
Goalscorers: Sophie Manzi 6,70,76; Saskia Philp 77; Asia Harbour Brown 78