Metropolitan Police 1-1 Dulwich Hamlet

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This was another two points dropped as Dulwich paid the price for individual mistakes and a lack of composure in front of goal. In fact, it was the home side that were denied a winner in stoppage time after being adjudged to have fouled Preston Edwards in an aerial challenge.

For Dulwich, it was Alex Teniola who had the best chances as he was foiled one on one in the first half and struck the crossbar, when it seemed easier to score, in the second second half.

As often happens, Dulwich exerted early pressure with home keeper Nathan Baxter doing well to hold on to a free kick from Kadell Daniel, then pushing a shot from the same player & a Mark Weatherstone header wide for corners.

Gavin Tomlin was next to test the home keeper with a low shot test almost squirmed underneath him, before Alex Teniola seized on a mistake to run through on goal; Baxter this time tipping his low effort wide.

Therefore, it was no surprise when Dulwich took the lead in the 19th minute. A Mark Weatherstone cross was only headed out as far as Nathan Green whose shot from the edge of the box beat Baxter high to his left with the aid of a deflection.

The Met should have brought the scores level three minutes later when Weatherstone left his header back to Preston Edwards woefully short but the Dulwich keeper spared his blushes as he won the one on one duel.

Teniola missed the target from a tight angle whilst, at yhe other end, Edwards had to be alert to tip over a long range effort.

Only good defending by Met skipper Will Salmon prevented Roman Michael-Percil getting on the end of another Daniel cross before Dulwich were denied a clear penalty; Roman Michael-Percil being clearly tripped but, to the amusement of all the Met Police Academy players in the stand, the referee saw nothing wrong.

As the half drew to a close Baxter had to be out quickly to block another Teniola effort when Bartley left his back pass short.

Half Time 0-1

The second half opened with Dulwich seeking the second goal, Teniola and Weatherstone both having early efforts blocked before the former hit the crossbar when it seemed easier to score.

Weatherstone then headed wide from an Ashley Carew free kick & Elliott Charles then went close with an acrobatic effort for the home side, before Dulwich were reduced to 10 men on the hour; Gavin Tomlin being dismissed for a second booking when he prevented a quick free kick being taken.

Five minutes later Dulwich conceded an equaliser when Michael Chambers was penalised for a rash challenge in the box and Charlie zcollins converted from the spot.

Despite their numerical disadvantage Dulwich should have gone back in front in the 72nd minute. Kadell Daniel found Roman Michael-Percil in the box and, when his effort was blocked, the ball fell to Sanchez Ming who hit a shot so tame that Baxter, who was out of position, was able to collect comfortably on the line.

In a rare dangerous foray forward by the home side Mark Weatherstone had to produce a terrific block at the back post but it was still The Hamlet who looked most likely to score. Daniel Carr, on as a substitute, looked a threat every time he touched the ball and the home side picked up a series of bookings as players took their turn to halt his runs.

Ten minutes from time, Carr found fellow substitute Nyren Clunis and his low cross just evaded the onrushing Roman Michael-Percil. Ashley Carew was next to try his luck but Baxter shovelled his free kick wide.

Carr was just too high with an effort on the turn from the edge of the box before Carew came close to embarrassing Baxter. Receiving the ball almost 40 yards out he looked up and spotted the keeper off his line but his effort struck the crossbar with the keeper scrambling back.

The home side were then denied a winner when the referee spotted an infringement on Preston Edwards as a free kick pumped into the box was headed in.

Full Time 1-1

Updated 13:00 - 3 Sep 2019 by Liam Hickey