Dulwich Hamlet 2 Herne Bay 1

Report by Ray Kelly

Herne Bay visited Champion Hill Stadium ,home of Dulwich Hamlet,but came away empty handed after going down 2-1 but this was a cracking game of football.

The Hamlet edged the game with a goal scored in the 84th minute by substitute, Kevin James. The game was only marred by some curious referee decisions, where Byron Walker was twice denied a penalty after being scythed down in the Dulwich area.

Herne Bay took time to settle against the speed Dulwich's front men, Erhun Oztumer,Junior Kadi and Ellis Green who were a constant thorn in the Bay defence. In the 6th minute, following a foul on Oztumer by Dan Wisker, Kadi sent in a rasping shot that hit the post ,with Dan
Eason well beaten. Dean Grant forced corners in the 14th and 16th minute but the Dulwich defence effectively cleared any danger.

A minute later Oztumer had a great chance to open the scoring after a good cross from Peter Adeniyi but he fluffed his shot in front of goal.
Bay came close to opening the scoring on the half hour. Following a Hamlet corner Eason with his trademark low throw found Byron Walker in space, who in turn set up Grant but he squandered his effort, firing tamely wide.

Two minutes later Walker was put through the defensive line and as he cut in towards goal he was hacked down by Louis Hollingsworth
but to everyone's amazmentthe referee waved play to comntinue despite his assistant signalling a penalty.

On 35 minutes Nyren Clunis sped down the left flank and squared a great ball to Oztumer who hammered a shot goalwards but Eason at full stretch, tipped the ball over. Two minutes later Rhys Lawson left Hollingsworth for dead before crossing to Grant, who, once again finished poorly in fron of the target.

Three minutes later Walker was fouled on the edge of the box by Adeniyi. A great strike from Calum McGeegan up and over the defensive wall leaving keeper, Phil Wilson, glued to the spot.

Further chances fell to Dan Carr and Oztumer before the half time whistle.

An impressive first half performance from debutant, Billy Bennett and Josh Sargeant who were both instrumental in breaking up the many attacks launched by hosts.

The second half saw Dulwich raise their game in search of an equaliser but found Eason in superb form, saving shots from Oztumer, Carr and Clunis at regular intervals but in the 61st minute Green tapped home from close range after a defence splitting ball from the very impressive Oztumer.

On 64 minutes James was introduced in place of Ryan James.

Bay were really up against it with Otzumer masterminding every Dulwich attack and in the 75th minute his snap shot from fully 30 yards skimmed the bar.

Bay brought on Nathan Eastwood and Joe Nelder for Wisker and Grant.
With the game looking to end in stalemate, Green burst past Tom Bryant before crossing to James who made no mistake from from five yards.

Tunji Agbajae replaced Gary Sayer for the last five minutes but the Bay just could not find that elusive equalizer.

Att: 460

Team ; Eason Sayer Bryant McGeehan Campbell Sargeant Grant Wisker Bennett Walker Lawson.
Subs used: Eastwood (Wisker 75 mins) Nelder (Grant 76 mins) Agbajae (Sayer 85 mins)
Not used: J Turner, Lloyd

MOM: Dan Eason