Last Saturday a glorious strike from midweek signing Rhys Murrell-Williamson gave Dulwich Hamlet a dramatic last gasp victory over Billericay Town in front of a bumper Champion Hill crowd of 1547. After ninety goalless minutes the winner came in stoppage time right at the end of the game and, in fairness, it was somewhat harsh on opponents who deserved to take something from the game. Dulwich success was due mainly to solid defending and some crucial saves from Phill Wilson to keep our Essex opponents at bay.

Osei Sankofa had not recovered from the gashed ankle he sustained in Dulwich’s Bank Holiday Monday win away to Kingstonian. So Charlie Penny came into the starting line with Jordan Hibbert switching to right back and Mitchell Nelson moving into central defence.

Shane Cojocarel squandered an early chance for Billericay Town whilst at the other end Charlie Penny forced fine saves from Jack Giddens. Later Onome Sodje got past Phil Wilson on the outside but his shot was blocked near the goalline by Matt Drage. The rest of the half was something of a stalemate, although Giddens clutched a close range effort from Jacob Erskine and later saved with his feet when Ashley Carew cut inside from the left.

Dulwich Hamlet struggled to create very much in the second half, the main threat coming from the runs of Nyren Clunis down the right. In fact the best chances fell to Billericay Town’s former Hamlet striker Tom Derry. In the 67th minute Derry got clear just inside the box but the advancing Phil Wilson deflected his shot narrowly past the post. Four minutes later Derry looked certain to score when he met a right wing cross from Ola Williams at close range but Phil pulled off an absolutely stunning save to turn the ball up and over the crossbar. It just wasn't Derry’s day and six minutes from time he had a header cleared of the line by Kevin James.

Dulwich Hamlet looked to be hanging on for a point as the minutes ticked away but then, in the second minute of stoppage time, we snatched all three. Substitute Rhys Murrell-Williamson, who had joined the club in midweek on loan from Hayes and Yeading United, cut inside from the right and from 18 yards struck a marvelous left footed shot which flew beyond the dive of Giddens, beating the ‘keeper inside the far upright. It was a goal fit to win any game.

Teams:
Dulwich Hamlet
Phil Wilson, Jordan Hibbert, Ethan Pinnock, Danny Waldren, Matt Drage (Kristian Campbell 70), Mitchell Nelson, Nyren Clunis, Ashley Carew, Jacob Erskine (Calum Willock 70), Kevin James, Charlie Penny (Rhys Murrell-Williamson 65)
Subs not used: Jamie Mascoll, Josh Fernandes

Billericay Town:
Jack Giddens, Ola Williams, Teddy Nesbitt, Callum Dunne (Alex Stephenson 80), Ejiro Okoseima, George Beavan ©, Loui Hazlewood, Connor Hubble, Tom Derry, Onome Sodje (Lewis Manor 67), Shane Cojocarel (Harry Baker 59),
Subs not used: Shane Stamp, MIkheil Kharshiladze

Report reproduced from the match day programme by kind permission of editor John Lawrence