Dulwich recover from early setback to down young Eagles

When Jordan Mutch found the net for Palace early it seemed another defeat might be on the cards but goals for Dumebi Dumaka and Ashley Carew turned things Hamlet's way.

After a disappointing start to preseason so far Dulwich Hamlet finally clicked into gear with an impressive performance against the young Eaglets, who had already claimed the scalp of National League South side Maidstone United in the build up to the coming campaign.
Dulwich manager Gavin Rose named a strong starting line up with just Ralph Kottoy of those not confirmed as signed making the starting line-up. There was also a return for Kenny Beaney on the bench, although Rickie Hayles sat out the game with a slight knock picked up in last Friday night’s encounter with Hampton and Richmond Borough.

Though Dulwich pressed in the early stages, but Palace were soon on the attack and won an early corner as Levi Lumeka countered. The corner was well cleared but dropped to Joe Hungbo who chanced his arm with a shot from distance from the edge of the penalty area. The ball seemed to swerve in the air. Preston Edwards spilling the ball but able to gather comfortably at the second attempt. Upping the tempo Palace forced further corners and made the breakthrough after just five minutes when out of favour first team squad player Jordan Mutch got in behind the defence to poke home a low shot into the far bottom corner of the net.

As Dulwich struggled to cope with the speed and movement of the Palace side it seemed only a matter of time before they added a second, but instead it was Dulwich who next found the net as they drew level in the 13th minute though Dumebi Dumaka, continuing his impressive preseason form. A long ball upfield from Nathan Green picked out Dumaka and his strength proved too much for his covering defender, Tyler Brown. Brushing aside the Palace man, Dumaka advanced into the box before producing an assured finish as he slipped the ball past ‘keeper Dion Henry.

The pendulum was now swinging in the favour of the men in Pink and Blue with Palace now on the back foot. Three minutes after the goal and up went an almighty shout for a spot kick as Gavin Tomlin’s effort appeared to be blocked by a defender’s hand. However, much to the chagrin of the fans massing the Greendale End, the referee failed to acknowledge any infringement. Soon after Tomlin put Dumaka through again but this time Henry was alert to the danger swiftly off his line to make a crucial block.

On 24 minutes Dulwich’s dominance paid off as they went ahead courtesy of Ashley Carew putting the finishing touches to a quality team goal. Ralph Kottoy found Tomlin, he worked it though to Ashley Carew who stepped inside a defender before firing confidently past Henry.
All Dulwich now and twice in a minute Nyren Clunis was foiled by good saves from Henry, before fine defending from Kottoy and Ibrahim Kargbo thwarted a swift counter attack as Andre Coker was dispossessed. Hungbo was allowed to escape down the left-hand side for Palace, his cross almost catching out Preston Edwards, who had to shift direction quickly to keep the ball out.

Palace created a chance on the break for Coker but he was denied again by the feet of Preston Edwards, whilst a free kick from Jason Lokilo whistled across the face of goal without anybody getting a touch leaving Dulwich Hamlet 2-1 ahead at the interval.

Half time saw no changes for either side and as the second half got underway it was as you were with Hamlet holding the whiphand. Dulwich should have increased their lead just 5 minutes after the break, Dumaka flicked the ball on to Carew who in turn, set Tomlin through on goal. However, with Henry advancing from goal, Tomlin lifted the ball over the ‘keeper and just wide of the target.

Palace dipped deep into their well of substitutes and began to make use of their fresher legs to turn the game back in their favour though Dulwich continued to create opportunities through their positive play. Kottoy had an effort saved after he had nutmegged a defender and substitute Caio Guimares had a through ball to Nyren Clunis cut out, whilst Nathan Green had an effort saved.

As time began to run out, Edwards was once more called into action making a pair of great saves in swift succession. First, he denied Kian Flanagan, after the ball broke to the Palace player on the edge of the box then mere seconds later it was defender Sam Woods who was thwarted by the big custodian as the visitors pressed for an equaliser. Nothing was going to beat the Dulwich ‘keeper not even a quickly taken freekick from Jacob Berkeley, Edwards backpedalling in top gear to tip over the audacious attempt to catch him out. As Palace looked for a late equaliser, Sanchez Ming and Marc Weatherstone both produced goal saving tackles. Dulwich also went close late on when a flowing move down the left saw Nana Boakye-Yiadom fire wide on the turn whilst there was still time for a late cameo for the young Eagles for Ibrahim Kargbo, son of the Hamlet’s midfield general.

Teams:
Dulwich Hamlet
Preston Edwards; Mark Weatherstone; Nathan Green; Ibrahim Kargbo; Anthony Acheampong; Michael Chambers; Nyren Clunis; Ralph Kottoy; Gavin Tomlin; Ashley Carew; Dumebi Dumaka
Subs used: Kenny Beaney; Caio Guimares; Sanchez Ming; Quade Taylor; Nana Boakye-Yiadom

Crystal Palace:
Dion Curtis Henry; Sam Woods; Joseph Hungbo; Hiram Boateng; Nik Tavares; Tyler Brown; Levi Lumeka; Luke Dreher; Andre Coker; Jordon Mutch; Jason Lokilo
Subs: Noor Husin (on for Dreher); Kian Flanagan (on for Mutch); Jacob Berkeley (on for Lokilo); James Daly (on for Hungbo); Gio McGregor (on for Boateng); Victor Fundi (on for Coker); Ibrahim Kargbo (on for Lumeka)

Attendance: 1247