Dulwich Hamlet 1-2 Hornchurch

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This was a game that will not live long in the memory, being low on quality and chances. However, what cannot be denied is that the better side won.

The visitors were on the front foot early on as Ruff cross for the usually lethal Sam Higgins to fire wide in only the second minute, whilst a minute later a hesitant Quade Taylor was dispossessed by Higgins but Embalo cleared. AS the chances came quickly, Charlie Grainger had to plunge low to save from a Muldoon effort. The same player was also thwarted by Sanchez Ming as he seemed to have a clear path to goal.

As has been the case in recent home matches, after this early flurry of chances Dulwich finally woke up and Wright had to save from a Jesse Debrah effort that was well struck but straight at him and Dulwich then quickly moved into the lead. Michael Timlin won the ball and played wide to Ming whose cross fell to Allassani. His effort was blocked but fell to Aaron Barnes whose shot was blocked by Ramsay's arm. Sanchez Ming stepped up to convert the penalty and give Dulwich a 16th minute lead.

As Dulwich looked to capitalise on their lead, Jordan Higgs had an effort that flew too high but Ming was soon to go from hero to villain. Quade Taylor hesitated again under a high ball and Ming brought down Ruff as he turned inside the area. Inevitably, Sam HIggins stepped up to score.

The game settled down into a midfield tussle with neither side able to create chances until some excitement close to the interval. IT was Debrah again who went close to scoring for The Hamlet but his effort was just wide whilst , for Hornhurch, Ruff once again got behind Taylor but his cross evaded his teammates.

Withe the half time whistle imminent, Grainger misplaced a pass out but Ruff saw his effort blocked and Nash produced a weak effort that only found the hands of a relieved Grainger.

Half Time 1-1

With the strong winds of the first half being joined by monsoon like rain, the second half was almost a non event until the closing stages, although marred by what appeared to be a serious injury to ex Hamlet loan player Liam Nash in a challenge from Ming, for which the Dulwich man was cautioned.

Both sides cancelled each other out comfortably as the game seemed to have the inevitability of penalties about it. Dulwich wasted a good free kick opportunity before Wright saved well from Aaron Barnes with nine minutes remaining and the visitors managed to get the ball clear before Tyrique Hyde could strike.

The visitors managed to scramble the ball clear after Wright failed to hold a cross from Hyde, but they would snatch an 86th minute winner as Ruff turned and shot after finding space in the area. Grainger saw the ball squirm from his grasp and slowly creep over the line.

This brought The Hamlet to life. Deon Moore was brought down inches outside the angle of the penalty area, but Timlin's free kick was floated straight in to the hands of Wright. Hornchurch then wasted a chance on the break as Brown was caught offside, before one final chance saw Allassani in space but his goal bound effort was blocked for a corner.

Final Score 1-2