Match report
On a cold and frosty night in South East London, the Dons ran out comfortable winners in their 4th round tie against Dulwich Hamlet.
After the postponement of the previous Saturday’s game, Terry Brown decided to put out a strong line up for the game with only a couple of the senior players being rested. The game got off to a bright start with Marcus Gayle, who started up front with Richard Jolly, getting a shot away as early as the 3rd minute but which was comfortably saved by Tim Roberts.
The early promise was rewarded with a goal after just five minutes when Steve Ferguson, who tormented the Dulwich left back with his pace, particularly in the first half, broke into the penalty area and was clearly brought down for an obvious penalty. Mark De Bolla stepped up and coolly sent Roberts the wrong way.
Sam Hatton, supporting the forwards at every opportunity, then came close on two occasions, firstly hitting a shot just past the post as Roberts scrambled across his goal and then having a shot blocked after being put in by Gayle.
It was no surprise when the second goal came and what a goal it was. A short corner was taken on the left and the ball played square to Ferguson who unleashed a 25 yard screamer into the top corner of the net.
The shock of conceding two goals so early stirred the home side, and they began to come into the game by making good use of the pacy Sebastian Schoburgh who tested Michael Haswell’s defensive qualities. A shot over the bar when well placed and a dangerous free kick which was headed clear demonstrated Dulwich’s desire to push forward.
However, it was the Dons who came close to scoring again when Gayle yet again made an incisive pass to De Bolla whose chip was pawed away by Roberts onto Hatton who was unable to control his shot and the ball dribbled away for a goal kick.
Dulwich still pressed forward and a low swerving shot from the right back saw Danny Knowles get down at his near post and gather the ball at the second attempt. Schoburgh then ran half the length of the pitch and delivered a tempting cross to the near post which was gratefully put out for a corner. There was still time before the interval for a De Bolla shot to hit the post and rebound back into play.
The second half proved less entertaining with Schoburgh’s pace being dented following a knock he received towards the end of the first half and Ferguson being more closely patrolled. However, the Dons were not to be denied a third and after 52 minutes a De Bolla corner was headed powerfully home by an unmarked Robert Quinn as the home defenders failed to notice his run into the penalty area.
With both teams making full use of their substitutes the game petered out somewhat as new players adjusted to the conditions which were becoming more difficult. The home side were rewarded for their efforts two minutes from time with a consolation goal, when substitute Billy Chattaway netted from close range.
The reward for the victory is a trip to old rivals Bromley, sometime in early January, for a quarter final tie.
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70) Lumumba Amena