Deadly duo Joe Francis and Gareth Heath kept Leiston’s 100% record intact and inflicted a first defeat of the season on a disappointing Dulwich Hamlet. Although they led at halftime the Suffolk side fell behind early in the second half before marching on to victory. The three points mean Leiston take up second spot behind Worthing in the embryonic Ryman League Premier Division.

Hamlet opened brightly and Nyren Clunis fired wide from a narrow angle following good work on the left from Nathan Green. But Leiston quickly grew into the game and were only an offside flag away from taking the lead in the 10th minute when Matt Blake nodded in from Tom Bullard’s firm header. Dulwich’s relief was short-lived, however when Francis opened the scoring with a legitimate goal on 22 minutes. Francis cut inside from the right before letting fly with a left foot rocket that flew across Hamlet ‘keeper Preston Edwards and curled inside his far post. Dulwich were clearly second best for the rest of the half with Glenn Driver’s side unfortunate not to increase their advantage. In the 28th minute Joe Jefford rattled the Hamlet bar with a strong header from Heath’s corner. And shortly before the interval Byron Lawrence was denied by Matt Drage’s goal line clearance after Francis had caused more havoc on the right.

Dulwich stepped up a gear after the break and were quickly back on level terms. Substitute Roman Michael-Percil was brought down just outside the penalty box and Gavin Tomlin superbly curled his free kick past Blues’ ‘keeper Nick Eyre. Four minutes later Hamlet were ahead when Gavin Tomlin crossed from the right and Michael Chambers header home past Eyre. However, Leiston were not behind for long as they made it 2-2 on 55 minutes when Francis waltzed past Nathan Green to the line and pulled the ball back for Heath to hammer his shot into the net from 15 yards. Poor defending would prove to Dulwich’s downfall as the visitors added further goals. In the 72nd minute Hamlet’s defence failed to cut out a cross from the right and Francis was on hand to add his second from close-range to put Leiston back in front. Five minutes later a break down the opposite flank sliced the home rear-guard apart with Heath left completely unmarked to drive past Preston Edwards and into the corner of the net to seal a deserved victory.

Dulwich Hamlet
Preston Edwards; Sanchez Ming; Nathan Green; Ibrahim Kargbo (Ayomide Adeboyejo 80); Matt Drage; Michael Chambers; Nyren Clunis; Ashley Carew (Roman Michael-Percil 45); Daniel Carr; Gavin Tomlin (Michael Onovwigun 81); Kenny Beaney
Subs not used: Sean Mason; Marc Weatherstone

Leiston
Nick Eyre; Oliver Brown; Seb Dunbar; Jack Ainsley; Joe Jefford; Tom Bullard; Byron Lawrence (Patrick Brothers 76); Gareth Heath; Matt Blake (Armani Schaar 85); Christy Finch (Blake Saker 66); Joe Francis
Subs not used: Taylor Hastings; Tom Winter

Goalscorers:
Dulwich Hamlet: Gavin Tomlin (48); Michael Chambers (51)
Leiston: Joe Francis (23, 72); Gareth Heath (55, 77)

Attendance: 845
Venue: Champion Hill Stadium