Dulwich Hamlet’s McQueen bemoans lack of consistency after defeat to Hampton & Richmond

BY ALEC McQUARRIE

Darren McQueen said Dulwich Hamlet “can’t keep dropping points like this” as they were beaten 2-1 by Hampton and Richmond Borough on Saturday.

The Hamlet surrendered a one-goal lead they had earned in the third minute when Jordan Green converted from the spot after he was tripped in the box.

The Beavers, who had just one win in their last nine league matches, were second best for most of the first half but equalised through Zach Robinson in the 34th minute.

The goal invigorated the hosts and 10 minutes after the restart they pulled ahead with a James Roberts penalty that also saw Dulwich reduced to 10 men.

After a goalmouth scramble Quade Taylor had unwittingly prevented a certain goal when the ball struck the arm he was using to push himself off the deck.

Despite the Hamlet’s best efforts, the equaliser eluded them, and winger McQueen believed results like this have epitomised their season to date.

“We can’t keep dropping points like this,” he said. “That’s been our problem all season. We’ve been very good, average, poor.”

“To be a winning team and to be a successful team we need to be consistent. Like games like that, you just don’t lose.”

But he also admitted the decision to send Taylor off was pivotal to the outcome.

“Obviously, the red card killed us,” he said. “I was up the pitch, so I didn’t see it. I can’t really say because I didn’t see it, but I thought he had fallen on the ball.

“I didn’t think it was a handball. But obviously people were closer than me.”

Even with 10 men, Dulwich dominated possession in the later stages as Hampton sat back to soak up pressure.

“I feel like the way the game was, it’s easier to play better when you’re 2-1 down,” McQueen said.

“It’s easier to play when you’ve got nothing to lose so we were trying to get the goal. It didn’t come.”

“We tried to play football, but it just wasn’t really our day today. They probably deserved to win the game.”

The defeat means Dulwich remain sixth. They are level on points with St Albans who lost to eighth place Eastbourne Borough.

PICTURE:KEITH GILLARD