What a difference a few days make! Today the boys played football, keeping it on the ground and despite losing, the supporters were much happier seeing the old Herne Bay style back. Apart from the first twenty minutes, when Dulwich were absolutely awesome, Bay competed with the title favourites. It was the introduction of Erhun Oztumer that changed the game. This ‘Messi’ type player produced a free kick of stunning brilliance that gave Dulwich a two goal buffer, and then in the closing minutes threaded a pass to allow Huddersfield Town bound, Daniel Carr to slot in the winner.

For the first 20 minutes the Hamlet tore into the Bay defence with Nyren Clunis and Dean Lodge raiding down both flanks, giving Nathan Eastwood and Tom Bryant a real roasting and with Danny Carr making things very uncomfortable in front of goal. It came as no surprise when they took the lead in the 10th minute, Lodge rifled in after a good cross from Clunis.

A minute later Kevin James should have increased the lead but his effort hit the side netting after an explosive run through the defence. Eastwood headed another James effort of off the goal line.
Clunis also skied a shot from 10 yards.

Herne bay started to get back into the game and after some good work from Joe Nelder and James Turner, they forced a corner, although the corner was cleared they maintained possession only for James Turner to be fouled. From the free kick Byron Walker’s shot was well saved.

Further chances fell to James Turner and Walker both efforts going over the bar.

On 42 minutes a great save from Luke Prentice tipping Ahmed Deene’s shot bound for the top corner around the upright.

Bay started the 2nd period in determined mood. Nelder worked his way through the defence but his shot was weak and Ramos collected with ease.
In the 53rd minute some Walker trickery found Eastwood but his shot was cleared off the line by Peter Adeniyi. The substitution of Conner French for the diminutive Turk, Erhun Oztumer was the turning point in the game. His influence was profound. With his first touch he played Carr through but thankfully he mis-fired with the goal at his mercy. The writing was on the wall. Dean Grant replaced James Turner in the 65th minute.

On 70 minutes Tom Bryant was adjudged to have fouled Oztumer on the edge of the box, Oztumer took the free kick himself, curling the ball over the wall into the top right hand corner with Prentice looking on.
Rhys Lawson and Jordan Agbajae replaced Michael Turner and Ben Brown in the 75th.minute. Bay were handed a lifeline in the 84th.minute when Walker was brought down in the penalty area by Ethan Pinnock. Nelder making no mistake from the spot.

A minute later more trickery from Oztumer resulted in a great through ball to Carr who thrashed the ball past Prentice to wrap up the game.
This was a superb display of attacking football from Dulwich Hamlet but Herne Bay will take some credit for playing football and never giving up the cause .Interim Manager Antony Deer can feel proud of his charges and feel confident for the last two away games.

Att: 344

Team: Prentice, Eastwood, Bryant, McGeehan, Campbell, Nelder, Bennett, Brown, Walker, J Turner, M Turner
Subs Used: Grant, (J Turner 67 mins) Agbajae ( M Turner 67 mins) Lawson (Brown 67 mins)

Not used: Lloyd, Sayer