Dulwich Hamlet 1 Blues 2

The Blues produced a determined and resolute display to secure three important points at third placed Dulwich Hamlet. After the recent heavy rain it was a little surprising the game went ahead but the Champion Hill ground was in fine fettle as the visitors went looking for successive victories at the South London ground. Dulwich were in fine form winning all their previous six games while the visitors were looking to continue their unbeaten start to 2015. The Blues got off to a fine start by opening the scoring with just nine minutes on the clock with a neatly created and well executed goal. Scott Mitchell delivered a fine diagonal pass to Tom Winter whose excellent touch allowed him to spin past his marker and cross for Danny Block to sweep home the opener. It was no more than the visitors deserved as moments earlier Tom Winter slide an opportunity marginally wide from a Darren Mills centre. The Leiston goal spurred Dulwich into action and Danny Gay did well to parry Frazer Shaw’s cross-cum-shot on 13 minutes before the Leiston stopper parried Ashley Carew’s free kick. Dulwich were now beginning to dictate the pace of the game, penning the Blues back as the visitors looked to frustrate their higher placed hosts. This tact looked to be working until six minutes before the interval as Hamlet drew level. The Blues failed to close down Xavier Vidal quick enough and his shot found the bottom corner via a strong deflection. The last piece of action in the half saw Terrell Forbes almost divert Darren Mills cross into his own net but thankfully watched the ball clear his own bar.

The second half resumed with Leiston on the front foot and an early Danny Block effort from a Stuart Boardley free kick fell kindly into the arms of Phil Wilson in the home goal. After Dulwich tested Danny Gay again, this time from Harry Ottaway, the Blues were forced into a change with Danny Cunningham replacing Danny Block who looked to be suffering from a hamstring injury. Within three minutes of his introduction Danny Cunningham had an assist as Leiston regained the lead on 57 minutes. Cunningham’s corner finding Craig Parker whose thumping header found the net via the crossbar and home keeper Phil Wilson. Parker proving to be a thorn in the Dulwich side for the second visit as back in April he had scored twice including a last minute winner in a 3-2 Leiston win that dented the home sides play off hopes. Chasing the game Dulwich increased the tempo and scorer Xavier Vidal fired wide and then over the bar after being denied by Danny Gay. Dulwich were creating plenty of openings but some resolute defending were keeping the hosts at arm’s length and when they did get a clear sight of goal Danny Gay provided a strong barrier, denying Luke Wanadio from a tight angle before the Dulwich winger flashed an effort wide as Dulwich began to run out of time. In the closing stages the last chance of the game fell to Terrell Forbes but his header from a corner was high over the Blues bar as Richard Wilkins men secured three valuable points.

FT – Dulwich Hamlet 1 Blues 2

Blues line up – Gay, Ottley-Gooch, Boardley, Mitchell, Bullard, Jefford, Mills (Merritt 90 mins), Heath, Block (Cunningham 54 mins), Parker, Winter. Subs not used – Francis, Kerslake and Rossis.

Goals – Vidal 39 mins (Dulwich Hamlet), Block 9 mins, Parker 57 mins (Leiston)

Man of the Match – Tom Bullard

Attendance - 541