Dulwich Hamlet 4-2 winners in National League South derby at Welling

BY MARK DOIG

In a combative, sometimes feisty, encounter Dulwich Hamlet claimed the derby honours with two late goals at Welling United on Saturday.

After all the recent rain, the Welling groundstaff worked wonders to get the pitch playable, but it was always going to be heavy which helped to make the encounter a real battle. Players up against their former teams and team-mates added to the mix.

Warren Feeney, the Welling manager, introduced new signing Dylan Gavin on a one-month loan from Charlton Athletic to replace Daniel Nkrumah, who had been recalled by Leyton Orient. Gavin has previous experience of the National League South having had spells at Billericay Town last season, and Tonbridge Angels earlier this term.

When the teams met at Champion Hill earlier in the current campaign, Welling prevailed, so Dulwich were keen to even things up with victory at Park View Road. Their manager Paul Barnes is a former Welling coach, and he continues to show faith in his current squad despite a couple of bad recent results.

Johl Powell had the first meaningful goal attempt in the first half when he twisted and turned to make space for himself only to shoot wide. Kreshnic Krasniqi then fired well over after a free-kick by Nana Owusu rebounded off the Welling defensive wall.

Ade Azeez had Welling’s first chance when blocking Charlie Grainger’s clearance, he attempted to lob the retreating goalkeeper but got nowhere near enough loft enabling Grainger to save easily. In their next attack, the hosts went ahead. Former Dulwich favourite Aaron Barnes curled in a cross from the right wing and it dipped under the bar with the desperate Charlie Grainger unable to keep it out.

That lifted Welling and Gavin drew an acrobatic save out of Grainger before Chi Ezennolim shot over after the Wings did well to keep an attack from a corner alive.

Having seen off Welling’s spell of pressure, Dulwich finished the half strongly. Danny Mills had a shot deflected wide against one of his former clubs then another former Wing, George Porter, did well to create an opening for Joe Felix but he did not trouble Welling goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle.

Two minutes of first-half stoppage time had passed when Dulwich levelled. Frankie Raymond’s free-kick hit the Welling defensive wall, and while their defenders appealed for offside, Will Wood fired home.

Immediately after the restart, Dulwich went ahead when they profited from more Welling defensive indecision which allowed Powell to slot it inside the post.

Krasniqi had a shot saved comfortably by McKenzie-Lyle before midfield tussles resulted in a series of yellow cards and broken up play until Welling levelled with 11 minutes remaining. Taylor Maloney’s free-kick found its way to Amadou Kassarate who clipped it towards goal, Grainger half stopped it, but it looped up and Azeez was on hand to force it home.

Antony Papadopoulos was a whisker from putting Welling ahead when his volley from Maloney’s corner went just over.

Two minutes remained when Dulwich went back ahead. Raymond delivered a corner, and his former Bromley team-mate showed the desire to get there first and headed home.

Deep into injury time, the visitors took full advantage of Welling throwing players forward by adding a fourth. They launched a quick counterattack that was finished by an excellent strike by substitute Daniel Smith.

PICTURES: DAVE BUDDEN

Main pic: Captain Jack Holland heads in from a corner