Bath City 1-4 Dulwich Hamlet

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The Hamlet introduced new left back Andre Blackman with Ruben Sammut also getting a start, along with Reise Allassani, in changes from Saturday. Danny Mills was not fit enough for two full matches ina short space of time so was amongst the substitutes, whilst Clayden and Hyde also dropped to the bench.

Dulwich couldn't have got off to a worse start as they fell a goal behind in only the 2nd minute. A blocked shot fell to Wilson and his low effort beat Grainger low to his left, an outcome that will have disappointed the Dulwich keeper who will feel he should have done better. It looked for a while as if Bath would quickly extend their lead, but good defending from Sanchez Ming thwarted Conway and gradually Dulwich began to grow in confidence.

Deon Moore passed up a good chance for Dulwich in the 5th minute as he was sent clear to the right of goal but seemed to get caught between shooting and laying the ball across the box, eventually choosing the latter but nobody was in support. Within a minute the home side had carved out another chance with the ball passing across the Dulwich six yard box with nobody able to get a touch.

The Hamlet gradually worked their way into the match with some patient possession football and the ability of their forwards to run in behind the home defence, although they were unable to test Clarke in the home goal.

For the home side the nemesis of The Hamlet last season, Tom Smith. saw a free kick pass harmlessly over the crossbar and later in the half he cut in from the Bath left, but his low shot lacked the power to trouble Grainger in the Dulwich goal. The next chance went to Dulwich as Aaron Barnes latched on to a ball over the top but he shot wide with Clarke stranded.

Barnes had another effort just wide and Sammut saw an effort blocked before Dulwich equalised in the 35th minute. A foul wide on the right saw Timlin deliver a free kick that was whipped in with pace and beat everybody including keeper Clarke. The Assistant had his flag up for offside but after consultation with the referee the goal stood.

It was Dulwich who pressed forward as the half ended but they were unable to create any clear chances before the break.

Half Time 1-1

For once Dulwich were ruthless in front of goal in the second half. They flew out of the blocks and took the lead in the 47th minute. The ball was played out to Barnes on the right and his cross found Giovanni McGregor who volleyed home past the despairing dive of Clarke in the home goal.

Haven taken the lead, it was inevitable that Bath would fight back and Dulwich had a close escape in the 53rd minute as Wilson broke through and his effort was deflected wide just out of the reach of Conway. It then took the brilliance of Grainger to preserve the lead as he pounced to his right to cling on to a shot from Richards that was heading for the bottom corner,

Just two minutes later, in the 58th minute, Dulwich got the third goal that gave them breathing space. Great play from McGregor on the right took him to the touchline and his cross was turned in by the unmarked Deon Moore.

It was inevitable that Bath would fight back and for a short time Smith seemed to be finding the space that he has used to punish Dulwich over the last few meetings of the sides. However, resolute defending meant he could not get a shot that would trouble Charlie Grainger as Dulwich kept good shape and discipline to hold the home side at bay.

With 12 minutes remaining, all doubts about a first win of the season were extinguished when Blackman accelerated down the left and his cross was thumped home by Danny Mills. Deon Moore was too high with a header from a cross from Hyde and Grainger made another excellent stop with his feet from Richards, but the game drifted to its conclusion with no further alarms for The Hamlet.

Full Time 1-4