The difficult playing surface meant this game was never likely to be a classic but it was also the type of surface on which Dulwich sides of recent years have really struggled. This performance showed how this side has evolved and what makes it different.

The first half was lacking in real action for long periods. A 3rd minute cross from Gavin Tomlin found nobody in the goalmouth and, two minutes later, the same player saw his cross headed over by Nathan Green.

The first fluent move of the game saw Dulwich take a 20th minute lead. Nyren Clunis played the ball to Ibra Sekajja who laid the ball off first time to Gavin Tomlin. He then struck a left footed shot that left home keeper Shaw motionless as it nestled in the right hand corner of his net.

Little else of note occurred until Pat Harding forced Preston Edwards into a 37th minute save and on the stroke of half time the Hamlet keeper had to turn over a free kick from Brivio.

Half Time 0-1

As seems to have become customary, Dulwich opened the second half slowly and Edwards had to produce a good save to hold a 47th minute shot from Brivio as the home pressed forward.

However, the Dulwich defence managed to get in a number of blocks to ensure their goal was not threatened, although Lee Harding fired an effort wide.

As Dulwich came more into the game, Ashley Carew fired wide, Marc Weatherstone headed wide from a corner, Gavin Tomlin curled an effort just too high and Kenny Beaney also had an effort just too high.

Dulwich eventually doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining. Nathan Green won the ball from a clearance and got to the byline. He then produced an excellent cross to the far post that Ibra Sekajja headed home.

Burgess Hill looked to strike back through Pat Harding but his effort went wide and Nyren Clunis produced a fine block to thwart another effort by the home side. In between these efforts Dipo Akinyemi forced a good save from Shaw as he got clear on goal.

With 7 minutes remaining a dangerous cross into the penalty area for once left the Dulwich defence flat footed but it just evaded the onrushing Lucas Rodriguez.

However, Dulwich secured the points with a breakaway goal in the 86th minute. A clearance found Dipo Akinyemi just inside the Burgess Hill half. He slipped the ball to Panutche Camara who cut in from the Dulwich right and rolled his shot past Shaw.

Final Score 0-3