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Sat 16 Aug 2014  ·  Ryman Premier
Leiston Football Club
1st Team
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2
Dulwich Hamlet
Blues suffer first defeat of the season

Blues suffer first defeat of the season

Admin ..16 Aug 2014 - 18:05
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Steve Ball's charges beaten at home by strong Dulwich Hamlet side

The Blues suffered their first defeat of the season against a well drilled and lively Dulwich Hamlet side in a match sponsored by Cracknell Properties. Buoyed by their noisy followers the South East London side scored a goal in either half to condemn Steve Ball’s side to their first reverse of the new campaign. On a fantastic playing surface the home side made two changes from Tuesday’s win over Billericay with Tom Winter and Blake Saker replacing Michael Brothers and Leon Ottley-Gooch respectively. But the home side were stunned after just one minute and 36 seconds as Dulwich took the lead. Dean McDonald picked up a diagonal ball and then crashed a shot high into Danny Gay’s net after turning Blake Saker inside out in the box. It was just the start Leiston didn’t want but responded positively. First Craig Parker saw a close range hooked effort held by Wilson under his bar and then Cliff Akurang’s glancing header from Tom Winter’s cross went the wrong side of the post as Leiston pressed. On 10 minutes Gareth Heath strode into the Dulwich box unopposed and his ball across the box found Tom Winter whose goal bound shot was somehow blocked by Ethan Pinnock. But while the visitors looked shaky in defence, offensively they were very strong and the front pairing of Hamici and McDonald caused the home defence no end of problems especially McDonald. The number 10 saw a cross-cum-shot elude Gay in the home goal but land on top of the net as his movement had the home defence stretched. As an entertaining half began to close the action increased. The home side created their best opening with three minutes of the half remaining as Joe Francis collected Tom Winter’s deep cross and his half volley was excellently saved low to his left by Wilson. Moments later Clunis, who scored three times against the Blues last season, raced clear of a flat back line but was thwarted by a fine stop from Gay to keep the advantage at just one goal. The home goal had a huge let off four minutes into the second period as Danny Gay miss-judged a long clearance and only a goal saving tackle from Adam Tann denied Clunis a simple tap in. Tom Winter and Joe Francis then combined with Francis racing clear but his touch was heavy and Wilson gleefully collected. With the Blues starting to impose themselves Manager Steve Ball withdrew Cliff Akurang and Tom Winter for Michael Brothers and Leon Ottley-Gooch hoping for a similar impact as was witnessed on Tuesday evening. After Clunis fired a shot straight at Danny Gay his opposite number had to hold Joe Francis’ header from a Blake Saker under his bar. With the game evenly poised Dulwich dealt the home side another blow as they doubled their lead from the penalty spot. The tricky McDonald showed some great close control in the box and was impeded by the falling Tom Bullard with Referee Holderness immediately pointing to the spot. The experienced Ashley Carew drove his kick high to Danny Gay’s left. Still the Blues fought hard for a response and Craig Parker was denied by a close range Wilson save after collecting Tom Bullard’s flick on from a throw in. This was the closest the home side came for the remainder of the game as the visitors continued to threaten on the break and inflict a first defeat of the season on the Blues.

FT – Leiston 0 Dulwich Hamlet 2

Blues line up: Gay, Saker, Boardley, Mitchell (P Brothers 69 mins), Bullard, Tann, Winter (M Brothers 58 mins), Heath, Akurang (Ottley-Gooch 58 mins), Parker, Francis. Subs not used: Jefford and Rossis.

Match sponsors Cracknell Properties Man of the Match: Gareth Heath

Attendance: 258

Match details

Match date

Sat 16 Aug 2014

Kickoff

15:00

Meet time

01:00

Location

Attendance

258

Competition

Ryman Premier
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