Last Saturday it was back to Ryman League action as Dulwich Hamlet maintained their challenge for a playoff place with a comfortable 1-0 victory away to Worthing. The team sowed just one change from the previous week with cup-tied Dipo Akinyemi replacing the suspended Kenny Beaney and it was Dipo who netted the decisive goal in the first minute of the second half.
Worthing made a promising start, with Jack Cook going close following a free kick and Louis Clark netting an offside ‘goal’, bot h inside the first ten minutes, but they spent the remainder of the half on the defensive as Dulwich Hamlet gradually took control.
Unfortunately, the Hamlet failed to turn the superiority into goals, In the 21st minute, a cross from Ibrahim Kargbo to the back post was directed goalward by Ibra Sekajja only for home skipper Kane Wills to clear off the line. Shortly afterwards Nathan Green headed over from close range, and in the next Hamlet attack Gavin Tomlin shot past ‘keeper Kieron Thorp but wide of the far post. Later Thorp denied Gavin Tomlin when a shot from Matt Drage Was deflected into his path.
The home side had a half chance when Clark collected a quickly-taken free kick from Wills, but the striker shot wide.
Dulwich’s winning goal arrived immediately after halftime. Ashley Carew’s cross from the left was laid off by Gavin Tomlin for Dipo Akinyemi to drill past Thorp and into the bottom corner from ten yards out.
The Hamlet had opportunities to increase their lead, but twice Ibra Sekajja was close closed down by defenders, once after rounding the ‘keeper, and Dipo Akinyemi drove a cross-shot wide of the far post. Fifteen minutes from time, Mark Weatherstone beat Thorp from a Gavin Tomlin corner but his header was kicked off the line.
Worthing rallied in the closing stages, but the Dulwich defence held firm and the team were able to return home with three valuable points.
Match report courtesy of Mr John Lawrence, Dulwich Hamlet Match Day Programme Editor
Worthing: Kieron Thorp; Charlie Williamson; Marshall Ball; Kane Wills; Jack Cook; Corey Heath; Lloyd Dawes; Reece Hallard (Mike Waller 80); Louis Clark; Ross Edwards (Brannon O’Neill 64); Harvey Sparks
Subs not used: Ethan Belward; Matt Boiling
Dulwich Hamlet: Preston Edwards; Marc Weatherstone; Nathan Green; Ibrahim Kargbo; Matt Drage; Quade Taylor; Sanchez Ming; Ashley Carew; Dipo Akinyemi (Jamie Mascoll 82); Gavin Tomlin; Ibra Sekajja (Dumebi Dumaka 72)
Subs not used: Mohamed Mohamed; Michael Chambers; Jacob Erskine;
Goal scorers: Dulwich Hamlet: Dipo Akinyemi (46)
Attendance: 763