SECOND HALF GOAL FLURRY LIGHTS UP THE CHAMPION HILL NIGHT

Third vs fourth produced a feats of goals as Dulwich and Wingate & Finchley trade six goals in the second half

As anticipated, last Tuesday’s clash here with high-riding Wingate & Finchley was a classic. It finished 3-3, with all the goals coming in a pulsating second half. Gavin had to make changes, with Phil Wilson, Terrell Forbes and Dean McDonald all out injured, but on the plus side we welcomed back Nyren Clunis after an eight-game absence and Kershaney Samuels following his one-match suspension. There was also a debut for left-back Frazer Shaw, newly signed from Billericay Town, whilst the re-signed Oshane Brown deputised in goal.

The first half was evenly contested, but we created the better chances. Dangerous crosses from Jordan Hibbert and Nyren Clunis went begging, whilst a 25-yard free kick from Ashley Carew drew a fine save from Wingate goalkeeper Jack Metcalfe who turned the ball behind at the foot of his near post. Later Ethan Pinnock fired over from 10 yards when it appeared easier to score. Our opponents rallied and David Knight shot across the face of goal before Rob Laney headed over the bar following a long free kick. So, no score at half-time.

It all changed after the interval, however, with end-to-end action for the remainder of the game. Four minutes into the half, Ashley Carew hit a spectacular free kick from 25 yards that thudded against the bar, only for Wingate to snatch the lead two minutes later. Jordan Hibbert brought down Knight with a clumsy challenge just inside the box and Knight got up to smash home the resultant penalty. However, we fought back and were level within four minutes. Frazer Shaw passed inside from the left and Xavier Vidal, positioned centrally on the edge of the 18 yard area, scored with a measured chip over the goalkeeper and in off the underside of the bar. This prompted a spell of concerted Hamlet pressure. Xavier Vidal was put clear through the middle, but his low shot was too close to the goalkeeper, then we had appeals for a penalty rejected when Nyren Clunis went tumbling in the box. The pressure told though and on the hour mark we went 2-1 ahead. Following some neat approach play, Ibrahim Mansaray found himself in space in the box and although his initial effort was blocked he made no mistake with the rebound, curling his shot over goalkeeper Metcalfe and into the far side of the goal. There followed a flurry of substitutions and the match evened out before Wingate equalised on 76 minutes. The speedy Karl Oliyide burst down the left and his low cross found the unmarked Knight who drove firmly past Oshane Brown from 12 yards. There was no let up to the action in the closing stages and six minutes from time we regained the lead when an outrageous chip from Ashley Carew over the Wingate defence teed up Xavier Vidal to beat Metcalfe from ten yards. but Wingate never gave up and just two minutes later they made it 3-3 when Knight’s free kick found our defence wanting and an unmarked Ola Sogbanmu headed into the corner of the net.

Dulwich Hamlet: 1 Oshane Brown; 2 Jordan Hibbert, 3 Frazer Shaw, 4 Ibrahim Mansaray, 5 Lewis Gonsalves (Capt.), 6 Ethan Pinnock, 7 Nyren Clunis, 8 Ashley Carew, 9 Shawn McCoulsky, 10 Xavier Vidal, 11 Kershaney Samuels.
Subs used - 12 Michael Kamara (for Clunis 72), 14 Malachi Robinson (for I. Mansaray 67), 17 Abdul Mansaray (for Hibbert 80).
Subs not used - 15 Cherno Mendy, 16 Emiliano Hysi.
Yellow Cards - None Red Cards – None

Wingate & Finchley: 1 Jack Metcalfe; 2 Mark Goodman, 3 Kieron Street, 4 Stuart lake, 5 Marc Weatherstone (Capt.), 6 Ahmet Rifat, 7 David Knight, 8 Tommy Tejan-Sie, 9 Rob Laney, 10 Carl McCluskey, 11 Karl Oliyide.
Subs used - 15 Ola Sogbanmu (for lake 67), 16 Niko Muir (for Laney 80), 17 Leon Fisher (for McCluskey 67).
Subs not used - 12 Paul Wright, 14 Ronayne Marsh-Brown.
Yellow Card - Rifat Red Cards - None
Referee - Chris Kidd
Assistant Referees - Neal Templey, Kevin Norris

Attendance 514

Report lifted from the match day programme courtesy of Mr John Lawrence