Our support of Dulwich Hamlet this season continues as the latest edition of our ‘Grass Roots’ feature looks back at the month of March for the side from Champion Hill.
The month began in promising fashion with a good win at Worthing as a goal just after the break from Dipo Akinyemi was enough to secure all three points for Hamlet. That was just the appetiser for the FA Trophy quarter final replay at Macclesfield Town that followed in midweek.
An early brace for the hosts did the damage and even though Dulwich found themselves in the same position as the first game, the non-leaguers had no answer this time around but the performance was certainly not lacking in effort even if the goals were elusive.
There was no time for disappointment however, as a return to league duty was required as Hamlet bid for promotion with several games in hand due to their cup exploits.
The perfect response to the cup defeat was a big 5-0 win away at Merstham with Nathan Green, Gavin Tomlin (2), Akinyemi and Panutche Camara all getting on the scoresheet.
Another cup tie faced Dulwich who travelled to take on Tonbridge Angels but it was disappointment again, Kenny Beany leveling for the visitors after an early goal for the hosts who took the lead again at the start of the second half. A killer third ended Dulwich’s involvement in the trophy for another season.
Such are the way that the fixture lists work out sometimes, Dulwich traveled back down to play Tonbridge Angels in the league the following Saturday. This time, the game ended all square with no goals which turned out to be a good point against promotion chasing rivals.
Seven goals were scored over the next two games along with six points to boot. A 4-2 win at home to Kingstonian thanks to goals from Ashley Carew, Ibra Sekajja (2) and Akinyemi was followed up by an excellent 3-0 home win over Havant & Waterlooville. Akinyemi, Dumebi Dumaka and Nyren Clunis all got themselves on the scoresheet against the second placed side.
The month ended with two games against Billericay Town in a matter of days. The first fixture did not go to plan as Dulwich suffered a 3-0 defeat against another of their promotion rivals but once again, the response to defeat was impressive as they managed a 2-0 win. Carew and Sekajja were both on target once again for Hamlet.
We wish everyone at Dulwich the best of luck for the remaining fixtures as they look to secure promotion.
RESULTS
- 04/03/2017: Worthing 0-1 Dulwich Hamlet
- 07/03/2017: Macclesfield Town 2-0 Dulwich Hamlet (FA Trophy)
- 11/03/2017: Dulwich Hamlet 5-0 Merstham
- 14/03/2017: Tonbridge Angels 3-1 Dulwich Hamlet (Alan Turvey Trophy)
- 18/03/2017: Tonbridge Angels 0-0 Dulwich Hamlet
- 20/03/2017: Dulwich Hamlet 4-2 Kingstonian
- 22/03/2017: Dulwich Hamlet 3-0 Havant & Waterlooville
- 25/03/2017: Dulwich Hamlet 0-3 Billericay Town
- 28/03/2017: Billericay Town 0-2 Dulwich Hamlet
FIXTURES
It is a tough start to the month as Dulwich travel to take on second placed Havant & Waterlooville. After a home fixture against struggling Leatherhead, it is a return to cup action against Tooting. Mid-table Lowestoft are the next to visit Champion Hill ahead of a trip to 16th placed Merstham. A second away game in a row sees Dulwich take on Burgess Hill before they host bottom club Grays Athletic. The month ends with a trip to 10th placed Wingate & Finchley.
- 01/04/2017 – Havant & Waterlooville (a)
- 04/04/2017 – Leatherhead (h)
- 06/04/2017 – Tooting & Mitcham United (h – London County Cup)
- 08/04/2017 – Lowestoft Town (h)
- 11/04/2017 – Merstham (a)
- 15/04/2017 – Burgess Hill Town (a)
- 17/04/2017 – Grays Athletic (h)
- 22/04/2017 – Wingate & Finchley (a)
LEAGUE TABLE
Dulwich end the month 6th in the Ryman Premier Division with 64 points from 38 games, a point behind Tonbridge Angels in 5th and a point ahead of Enfield Town, Billericay Town, Harlow Town and Wingate & Finchley who are all on 63 points. Dulwich still have games in hand over a number of clubs including some above them in the table which means there is all to play for going into the April fixtures.
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Our next GRASS ROOTS article will be online in early May. If you are a Dulwich fan and would like to provide us with your views on the club between now and the end of the season, please contact us.
