The last time we checked in with our non-league club for this season, Dulwich Hamlet found themselves in mid-table after the opening month of the season. Now it is time to find out how the club from Champion Hill fared in September.
The magic of the FA Cup opened up the month for Hamlet as they travelled to Pagham in the first qualifying round. A crowd of around 230 saw Gavin Tomlin continue his early season goal scoring form with a brace either side of a Marc Weatherstone goal in a convincing 3-0 win.
A return to league duty saw Dulwich host Burgess Hill Town which ended as a high scoring draw. Once again, Tomlin got them off the mark right before the break only for Dan Pearse to equalise a third of the way into the second half. Hamlet took the lead again courtesy of a Cheick Toure own goal and it looked like all three points were secure but the visitors had other ideas as James Richmond found a second equaliser in the final minute.
A midweek home game in the Alan Turvey Trophy pitched Dulwich with Grays Athletic and they put the disappointment of being held to a draw against Burgess Hill with a good 4-0 win. Goals from Ibrahim Kargbo, Alex Teniola, Nyren Clunis and Ashley Carew sent the hosts through to the next round of the competition.
This seasons journey in the FA Cup was cut short in the second qualifying round courtesy of two goals in three minutes at home to Hendon. Niko Muir scored the opening goal right on half time and Luke Tingey doubled the lead right after the break for the visitors. Hendon went on to beat AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the next round and are now facing a trip to Boreham Wood for a place in the first round proper.
Following the disappointment of the cup exit, Dulwich travelled to take on the Metropolitan Police who themselves were struggling at the foot of the table. Nathan Green got Hamlet off to the best possible start but they were unable to find an all important second goal and the hosts ended up sealing a point courtesy of a Charlie Collins equaliser.
In the fourth home game of the month, fans were treated to a goal fest at Champion Hill. The newly promoted visitors Folkestone Invicta took a sixth minute lead but it was not long before the hosts pulled themselves level courtesy of Sanchez Ming. Minutes later Tomlin added a second to give Dulwich the lead and Nyren Clunis put them 3-1 up at the break. Second half goals from Daniel Carr (from the spot) and a brace from Alex Teniola sealed an impressive 6-1 win.
Seeing out league action for the month, Dulwich were once again the hosts with Harrow Borough the visitors. Much was expected after the recent glut of goals but Harrow raced into a two goal lead thanks to David Taylor and Lewis Driver. Nyren Clunis pulled one back right before the break but a second half double from Ibrahim Meite sealed all three points for the visitors.
RESULTS
- 03/09/2016 Pagham 0-3 Dulwich Hamlet (FA Cup)
- 10/09/2016 Dulwich Hamlet 2-2 Burgess Hill Town
- 13/09/2016 Dulwich Hamlet 4-0 Grays Athletic (Alan Turvey Trophy)
- 17/09/2016 Dulwich Hamlet 0-2 Hendon (FA Cup)
- 20/09/2016 Metropolitan Police 1-1 Dulwich Hamlet
- 24/09/2016 Dulwich Hamlet 6-1 Folkestone Invicta
- 27/09/2016 Dulwich Hamlet 1-4 Harrow Borough
FIXTURES
It is all about the Rymans Premier League in October as Dulwich kick off the month with two consecutive away games against opposition lower down the table. The two big tests will be against Bognor Regis Town and AFC Sudbury who both sit higher in the table.
- 01/10/2016 Enfield Town (a)
- 04/10/2016 Lowestoft Town (a)
- 08/10/2016 Bognor Regis Town (h)
- 15/10/2016 Leatherhead (a)
- 18/10/2016 Harlow Town (h)
- 22/10/2016 AFC Sudbury (h)
LEAGUE TABLE
Dulwich end the month as the sixth best placed team in the Ryman Premier League having accrued seventeen points from twelve games played. They sat just a point behind Burgess Hill Town in fifth and a point ahead of Billericay Town in seventh while being nine points away from leaders Leiston. Bottom of the table were Metropolitan Police with just three points.
For more information about Dulwich Hamlet, head over to their official website and follow their account on Twitter.
Our next Grass Roots article will be online at the beginning of October. If you are a Dulwich Hamlet fan and would like to provide us with your views on the club in future articles, please get in touch with us.
