Cook produces a tasty equaliser as Dulwich Hamlet bag a point

BY SIMON THROSSELL

Anthony Cook scored his first goal for Dulwich Hamlet to earn his side a National League South point against fifth-placed Wealdstone.

The visitors opened the scoring with a Bradley Hudson-Odoi penalty in the 23rd minute. But Cook made the breakthrough for the hosts with a well-taken finish in the 80th minute.

Wealdstone started the match on the front foot, forcing Dulwich keeper Preston Edwards to deflect a powerful shot onto the corner of the crossbar.

Dulwich reacted well to periods of high pressure with several on-target shots of their own. But the home side struggled at times to move the ball quickly and beyond their own half when on the counter-attack.

Wealdstone’s number nine David Pratt went down in the penalty area in the 23rd minute after receiving a high boot to the chest from Michael Chambers.

The referee pointed straight to the spot and Hudson-Odoi sent Edwards the wrong way.

Hamlet looked stronger and more confident with the ball at the start of the second half.

Cries of “VAR, VAR” bellowed from the Dulwich end in the 70th minute when striker Jay May found himself in the perfect scoring position in a chaotic goalmouth scramble.

Standing less than five yards in front of the Wealdstone goalkeeper, May was millimetres away from successfully converting a headed pass from midfielder Michael Chambers. The fans behind the goal would say otherwise.

After racking up a number of goalscoring chances, it seemed only a matter of time until Dulwich would be rewarded for their efforts.

Cook, signed this summer from Ebbsfleet United, found an opening in the 80th minute.

He was put through on goal thanks to an exquisite pass from the middle of the pitch. The winger took a touch in front of him and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to give Dulwich their eighth point of the season.

Liam Nash made his debut for Hamlet, after joining on a one-month loan deal from League One side Gillingham.

The number 10 had a few good spells of individual play, skilfully making his way past Wealdstone players as well as putting in the odd heavy tackle when needed.

He received a round of applause when he was substituted in the second half for goalscorer Cook.

Dulwich have also signed former Barnet, Yeovil, Torquay, Aldershot and Bromley winger Iffy Allen.
Hamlet, 18th in the table, place in the National League South, go to Glebe FC tonight in the London Senior Cup.

****

Bromley lost 3-2 at Aldershot Town in the National League. Neil Smith’s side had led 2-0 with goals from Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and George Fowler.

Tooting & Mitcham won 2-1 at Horsham YMCA in the FA Cup first qualifying round. Lexus Beeden and a 90th-mnite Elijah Simpson goal took the Terrors through.

Teshuane Tyreece Walters bagged a brace as Greenwich Borough picked up a 2-1 victory at Herne Bay in the Bostik South-East Division.

Fisher won 2-1 at home to Sheppey United in the SCEFL Premier Division. Trey Small and Chandler Kasai netted in either half.

Lewisham Borough lost 1-0 at home to Meridian VP in the First Division.

IMAGE BY KEITH GILLARD