The 2025/2026 season commenced for Dulwich Hamlet Reserves on Sunday the 24th of August. Our last win of preseason, as well as excitement over promising new signings set a positive tone in trainings preceding the match.

Despite missing a handful of last season’s starters to injury, university, and promotion to first team we were optimistic beginning the new season.

The game began with Soccer Elite’s kick-off. For the first few minutes, they moved the ball well through midfield. Dulwich pressed high and made a few interceptions and tackles, but initially struggled to connect and progress the game.

A few times in the beginning of the first half, Soccer Elite found success playing over the top to their striker. Dulwich conceded a few corners early on, but were able to win the ball in the air and play out. However, before long Soccer Elite again made a fast break forward down our right side and their striker finished neatly past Virgilio into the far corner.

It seemed like this was the wake-up call we needed and the Dulwich attack rapidly began to click. Wingers Davila and Miranda connected well with strikers Heyndrickx and Sessay and the forward play looked promising, but Dulwich’s response ultimately came from midfielder, Captain Anna Stones.

Driving forward on the right, Stones took on three opponents singlehandedly and finished neatly across goal into the left far corner.

Minutes later, Dulwich won a corner on our left hand side. Sessay’s delivery curled neatly across the penalty area at the perfect height for Stones to convert again with a header.

While Soccer Elite created some opportunities to counter, defenders Theodoresen, Asagba, and Smale adapted well after Dulwich initially conceded and prevented Soccer Elite from being able to form another decisive attack.

The first half ended with Dulwich having gained a slim lead. After the break, Dulwich came out looking far more fluid in possession with midfielders Stones, Saylor, and Glaze linking neatly to move the ball out to the wings. It was terrific having erstwhile first team captain Brittany Saylor back playing for the club as well and her encouragement and communication helped organize and motivate the team.

Given the heat of the day, Manager Bellfield got fresh legs on the pitch shortly after half-time. New signing Isabel Sinclair made an instant impact on the right wing by delivering a perfect cross to Sessay who was able to control and finish, putting Dulwich up 3-1. Wing back Kelly, returned from injury, also made a brilliant contribution on the left-wing, playing a negative cross to Glaze who marked her debut for the club with a neat finish.

Regardless of the score, Soccer Elite continued looking forward, but Dulwich’s back line was able to stifle their chances. New signing, center back Jade Asagba looked cool, calm, and collected in her debut and took care of any pressure coming our way.

The cherry on top of this Sunday, however, was Anna Stones’ hat trick. She finished from outside the area, again finding the far left corner making the final score 5-1.

Taking notes from this game, the Dulwich Hamlet Reserves look forward to get straight back into training and continue improving upon this result in the 25/26 season.