QPR 0-3 Dulwich Hamlet

Sunday 28th September
London & South East Regional Women's Premier League

Dulwich Hamlet continued their 100% start to the 2020/21 season with a 3-0 victory away to QPR. The result against our London rivals means we stay top of the League.

Dulwich opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes, as Lucy Monkman jumped on a stray pass from goalkeeper Carla Henderson and finished calmly. The team then kept up the pressure, with Harriet Crofts going close with a header shortly after.

Just before the half hour mark, Rosie Stone's corner was met by Sas Philp who headed home for her fourth goal in two games - her 10th for the club in total. At the other end, goalkeeper Klaudia Kovacs, who was making her debut for the Dulwich 1st team, pulled off a decent save from Katie Akerman's long range effort.

Dulwich kept their focus in the second half and Ella Wales Bonner scored the third, slotting home from Sophie Manzi's pass, to seal all three points for Dulwich. Having lost 2-1 away to QPR last season after two late goals, revenge had been secured with a clean sheet.

Speaking after the game, manager Ryan Dempsey said:

"The result and performance was really pleasing against QPR. We limited them to only a couple of chances and felt we controlled the game. It took 15-20 minutes to get used to their formations but we managed to switch the ball better and use our full backs to get out."

"In the second half, QPR changed their formation to match us and we found it more difficult but what pleased me was our game management, we played a little longer to help us get up the pitch and not give QPR any encouragement to try and press which they can do well. We took our chances and could have scored a couple more but for some good saves from their goalkeeper."

"I thought everyone played well and contributed well. Klaudia, making her first start for the firsts since I came in, displayed calmness and composure. Ella was outstanding, and in my opinion the best player on the pitch. An encouraging start to the season and we’re looking forward to continuing to develop through the season."

Dulwich Hamlet:
Klaudia Kovacs, Havana McElvaine, Harriet Crofts, Sarah Walters, Ali Rowe, Brit Saylor, Rosie Stone (for Jess Hand), Ella Wales Bonner (for Ana de Pellegrin), Sas Philp (for Jo Gibson), Lucy Monkman, Sophie Manzi (for Michaella Williams).
Subs not used: Ceylon Hickman.

QPR:
Henderson, Dench (Carolan), Peacock, Grieve, Johnson, Akerman (Moore), Petit (Hall 45’), Dickens (Redhead-Ling), Hennessy (Skiverton), Searle, Davies.

Photo: Liam Asman

Hackney WFC 2-6 Dulwich Hamlet

Sunday 20th September
FA Cup Second Preliminary Round

High noon (well, two o’clock) in enemy territory, and the intrepid pink and blue army crossed the river and pressed north into Hackney Marshes for their second FA Cup skirmish. The first preliminary against Margate two weeks ago was a decisive flattening. This time round, although the Hamlet would snatch the win, it was never so certain.

At this level, away jaunts are an intrepid undertaking, and fans and players never quite know what they’ll encounter. Yesterday, on the Marshes’ famous spread of 88 pitches, it was vicious potholes and an opposing team who, though lower down the rankings, were determined not to give an inch. Hackney WFC have been around since 1986, as the first women-run and fully out team in the UK, and showed a grit that reflected that heritage.

At the outset, Dulwich looked like the better organised team, with Saskia Philp charging at Hackney’s somewhat bitty defence and escaping a throng of them with some nifty footwork. At 13 minutes, Philp put the first goal on the table – an unguarded strike that Hackney goalkeeper Sam Lowes could do nothing about.

Hackney were having none of it; striker Kea Felix, who would prove to be a thorn in the Hamlet’s side all match, took a dangerous run down the left flank which had to be defused by Ceylon Hickman and new signing Alex Newman. Hackney regrouped, and when Dulwich lost possession, Clara Aklouche seized the moment and levelled the score at 20 minutes for Hackney.

That set the tone for the rest of the match. Though Dulwich regained the lead at 21 mins with another punchy goal for Philp, and doubled it with Sophie Manzi’s first goal of the game a minute later, Hackney threw blood, sweat, tears (and almost a punch at one stage, in a sideline flare-up at some observers who interrupted the game with a stray football) and a never-say-die attitude at the game. Their fortunes took a knock when a missing chunk of pitch took out Megan Kennedy – she played on briefly but was subbed off shortly afterward.

Hackney seemed determined to score again but Dulwich kept them locked out for the rest of the first half, their rock-solid defence taking the sting out of repeated attempts by Felix and Aklouche.

The second half saw things heat up. Dulwich stayed organised against a refreshed Hackney, but the atmosphere got chippy; Sarah Walters clashed heads with Felix, and moments later Manzi got knocked down. Hackney’s Lizzie Tucker threatened a goal but Michaella Williams cleared it away smartly, and hauling the ball back toward the opposing end, Lucy Monkman’s sneaky run from the left caught Lowes completely off guard at 6 minutes to make it 4-1.

Ali Rowe was subbed on and immediately got pulled into a rivalry with a visibly annoyed Tucker, marking her with laser precision. Hackney’s frustration got the better of them and they gave up a penalty which Manzi converted in the 70th. Hackney weren’t done, though. Terriers to the bitter end, they kept up the attack, and Felix finally got the goal she’d been chasing all match, with a fast run that the Hamlet couldn’t shut down and a clean finish at 77 minutes.

Were Dulwich going to let Hackney have the last word? Not in this lifetime. Walters kept Felix under lock and key to prevent any more flourishes from her, and Philp had the final say with a 90th minute goal to net herself a hat-trick and a decisive 6-2 result for Dulwich Hamlet against a ferocious side that refused to let a stronger team faze them.

Dulwich’s defensive strength, stamina and technical ability won the day, but their opponents remain one to watch; their team chemistry and relentless spirit, and some crafty play from a dangerous front line, made them a threat to the Hamlet. For now, Dulwich progress to the FA Cup First Round draw and meet Lancing on October 4th. The scheduled home league match against Fulham will be rescheduled.

Dulwich Hamlet:
1 Marie Louis; 2 Alex Newman; 3 Michaella Williams; 5 Rosie Stone (capt); 6 Sarah Walters; 7 Saskia Philp; 9 Sophie Manzi; 12 Ceylon Hickman; 13 Jess Hand; 14 Lucy Monkman; 16 Ella Wales Bonner
Subs: 17 Sarah Milner; 18 Havana McElvaine; 2 Harriet Crofts; 21 Ali Rowe; 22 Jo Gibson

Hackney:
1 Sam Lowe; 2 Francesca Cagetti; 6 Clara Aklouche; 7 Kea Felix; 8 Becky McCready; 9 Natalie White; 10; Sarah Garlick; 11 Megan Kennedy; 12 Jade Perrin; 14 Tash Hippolyte; 15 Katherine McKenna
Subs: Lucine Batikyan; 5 Helen King; 17 Lizzie Tucker

Referee: Ben Kelly
Assistant referees: Tanya White, Emre Arslan

Photo: Liam Asman

Dulwich Hamlet 8 - 0 Aylesford

Sunday 13th September
London & South East Regional Women's Premier League

A hot sun blazing in a cloudless Tuscany sky, the bar flowing merrily, and expectant fans filling the stands (responsibly distanced of course) - perfect conditions for one of the most breathlessly awaited days in the sporting calendar. Not the Tuscan Grand Prix (also yesterday - kind of them to time it in the Hamlet’s honour though) but something far greater: the return of supporters to Champion Hill, just in time for the start of the league season.

After last week’s blistering 6-1 FA Cup win, Dulwich opened their league campaign at home against Aylesford. While the Hamlet women ride high on their success to date, Aylesford face an uphill struggle. In a challenging 19/20 season they finished last in the table, and 20/21 hasn’t begun ideally, losing to Ashford in their FA Cup Preliminary last week. Yesterday wasn’t their day either, as Dulwich delivered a pummelling 8-0 result.

Dulwich’s intentions were clear from the start. There was little tussling in the midfield - the Hamlet kept the action in front of the enemy box, attacking the goal from all sides like punchdrunk wasps. Where Aylesford escaped, it was a quick foray into the opposing end before they were ejected unceremoniously to defend their patch.

The first sting landed in the 6th minute, new star striker Sophie Manzi taking advantage of a free kick to land a saucy first goal that keeper Sade Rider could do nothing about. She was at it again in the 29th minute, this time a confident shot from outside the box. Aylesford tried their luck, Fiona Constable firing corners and shots on goal, but Kate Aldridge and a tight defence foiled the Aylesford forward’s hopes and pushed the action back to where Dulwich wanted it.

A beautiful bit of play from skipper Brit Saylor showcased the next-level confidence this team are operating on this season; a crafty lattice of footwork, outfoxing her opponent and knocking two nutmegs through the Aylesford defence.

A minute later, a stunning, full-length run down the left wing from a focused Havana McElvaine found its way home and rocketed into the corner of the net in the 38th. Even as half-time approached it was clear Aylesford were feeling the strain, and Manzi delivered a fatal blow at the 40th minute, inking her second hat-trick in as many games.

Aylesford couldn’t outrun, outsmart or outlast Dulwich and their morale crumbled. The Hamlet rained blows on them, and Ali Rowe put a belting fifth goal home at the 67th min. Dulwich brought in fresh legs, and Lucy Monkman made her mark immediately, forcing the keeper into an own goal. She followed with a goal of her own, converting a long pass from Ceylon Hickman, and two minutes later Rosie Stone’s soaring free kick from midfield roared past a wholly defeated keeper to make it 8-0. That last effort took Rider down completely – perhaps in part due to a previous injury. As medics attended to Rider, Dulwich stayed prepped, running drills at the other end of the pitch.

Defender Sian Cheedy took over in goal from Rider, and was able to stop the meltdown, but aside from a couple of attempts in the dying minutes, Aylesford were out of chances, and it only remained to Dulwich to ensure no mistakes clouded their resounding victory.

The Hamlet team that strode to the top of the table last season did so in spite of an overtaxed front line, in part down to a dedicated approach to their fitness and very strong team chemistry. This season they have become a unified force - a disciplined matrix guarding the back and ever pushing forward, and the firepower they need upfront, with pure striker Manzi adding the certainty to transform them from a strong team to a truly dangerous unit to be feared by the rest of the league.

Attendance: 176

Next match: 20th September, vs Hackney (away) - FA Cup preliminary
Next home match: 4th October, vs Fulham.

Dulwich Hamlet:
1 Kate Aldridge; 5 Rosie Stone; 6 Sarah Walters; 8 Brit Saylor (capt); 9 Sophie Manzi; 10 Liz Wicks; 17 Sarah Milner; 18 Havana McElvaine; 20 Harriet Crofts; 21 Ali Rowe; 22 Jo Gibson;
Subs used: 7 Saskia Philp (for McElvaine 58); 3 Michaella Williams (for Milner 58); 16 Ella Wales Bonner (for Saylor 60); 14 Lucy Monkman (for Manzi 68); 12 Ceylon Hickman (for Rowe 69);
Subs not used: None
Yellow cards: none. Red cards: none.

Aylesford:
1 Sade Rider; 2 Sasha Rudlek; 3 Sian Cheedy; 4 Alex Witham; 5 Alison Draper; 8 Milly Penfold; 9 Beth Hulme (capt); 12 Stacey Glover; 15 Gemma Cumby; 17 Hannah Tyler; 18 Fiona Constable
Subs used: 11 Katana Gould; 14 Zoe Counter; 10 Laura Brown
Subs not used: None
Yellow cards: none. Red cards: none.

Referee: Lucy Clark

Photo: Ollie Jarman

Hickman promoted to First Team

Ceylon Hickman has been promoted to the Dulwich Hamlet Women’s first team. A defender, Hickman made three appearances for the team in the 2019/20 season.

Hickman signed for Luton Town Centre of Excellence in her youth and played there till 16, featuring predominantly as a defensive midfielder or along the back line. She had spells with other clubs before playing for Cambridge University 1st Team, where she was Vice-Captain and also played in three Varsity matches.

Since graduation, she played for Leyton Orient before joining Dulwich Hamlet and was a key part of the Reserves side last season.

Hickman also works for the club’s charity partner Football Beyond Borders and is Head of Impact & Female Participation, where she has helped expand the girls’ programme from 16 girls to over 200.

She said, “It’s wicked to be part of the first team squad after spending my first season embedding myself at the club with the reserves. Before the women’s team existed, I’d often be down at Champion Hill watching the men, so to be embarking on a season of playing there each week is exciting. We proved last season that we have the talent and attitude to win the title, and I’m hungrier than ever to play a role in confirming that victory this year.”

Manager Ryan Dempsey said, “I’m pleased that Ceylon has been promoted from the reserves. It’s something that I’m keen to continue to do, we have some good players in the reserve squad, and Jack Badu is a very important member of the club coaching team. He mentioned last season that Ceylon has been training and playing well.”

“Ceylon trained with us during the second half of the season and featured a few games and played well and contributed. I’m looking forward to helping Ceylon to develop further.”

Photo: Ollie Jarman