Michael Timlin made a welcome return to the Hamlet midfield after almost three months out injured and Danny Mills was restored to the centre forward role, while Ronnie Vint (one match suspension) and Tyrone Sterling (international duty for Grenada) dropped out along with Quade Taylor, with Taofiq Olomowewe plugging the vacant gap in the centre of defence.

Concord left back Joe Payne fired the first shot after 9 minutes, turning inside to shoot well wide from 25 yards. Five minutes later Hamlet threatened for the first time when Darren McQueen wriggled free to the left of goal after receiving a flick on from a throw in, but shot over the crossbar from the corner of the six-yard box. Reise Allassani landed the first shot on target in the 16th minute after playing a one-two with Mills on the right, forcing Beachboys keeper Myles Roberts to concede a corner. Hamlet’s recent trend of cracking in the face of a quick counter attack reared its ugly head once again in the 20th minute. Ben Williamson forced his way past a challenge on the halfway line before threading a pass down the left flank for Nana Kyei, who moved into the inviting space that opened ahead of him and beat Charlie Grainger with a terrific shot into the far corner from twenty yards. Hamlet hit back within two minutes as Gio McGregor received a return pass from McQueen to the left of goal and took careful aim for the far bottom corner only to see Roberts get down just in time to tip the shot to safety. Concord’s respite was short-lived, as Jordan Higgs’ corner kick picked out Mills at the far post and the target man’s downward header into a crowded goalmouth was knocked into the net from point blank range by Taofiq Olomowewe. The Hamlet now looked confident and capable of taking control. Allassani appeared to be fouled as he tried to escape the attentions of his marker inside the box, resisting one nibble at his legs and eventually going down under a second challenge, but nothing was given. In the 35th minute the Hamlet took the lead with a fine goal. Jack Holland’s long pass from the back picked out McGregor, who moved forward menacingly before shifting the ball wide to Andre Blackman overlapping on the left, and his low cross into the centre was coolly converted by Danny Mills.

The middle phase of the game either side of half time featured little goalmouth action, with Concord unable to make any impression on their visitors’ defence. Hamlet’s greatest worry during this period were injuries to Timlin and Higgs, each of whom was able to resume after treatment. Beachboys captain Aron Pollock came close to unlocking the Hamlet backline midway through the second half with a long crossfield ball to pick out Kyei on the left edge of the box, but the striker was unable to bring it under control before Grainger arrived to gather safely. Timlin finally succumbed to his earlier injury, limping away with 15 minutes to go, replaced by Luca Levee, but still the Hamlet appeared the more likely team to add the game’s fourth goal. McGregor went close to settling the result in the 83rd minute, receiving a pass from McQueen before unleashing a 25 yard shot that Roberts had to beat away. Two minutes later, pretty much out of the blue, disaster struck the visitors. Roberts’ drop kick was helped on towards the left corner of the Hamlet penalty area with Kyei in pursuit. Grainger, possibly failing to account for the blustery conditions, came dashing from his line and collided with his man. The clash appeared to many observers to occur outside the box, but the referee judged differently and awarded a penalty which Danny Green converted with ease. One point now seemed to be the summit of Concord’s ambition, going by the notable lack of urgency with which Roberts dawdled from one side of his goal area to the other before taking an 88th minute goal kick. Hamlet forced a free kick followed by a corner going into the final minute, but McGregor’s inswinging delivery to the near post was chested just wide of the target by Olomowewe, leaving those of a Hamlet persuasion most frustrated with their solitary point.

Hamlet (4-3-3): Grainger - Ming, Olomowewe, Holland©, Blackman - Higgs, Timlin (Levee 75), McGregor – Allassani (Green 75) Mills, McQueen. Unused substitutes: Dayton, Kandi, Sekajja.