Dulwich 3 Truro City 2 – Hamlet pull off vital win as National League South status looks safe
BY GEORGE GEAVES
Dulwich Hamlet have all but secured their safety in the National League South after an enthralling 3-2 victory over Truro City at Champion Hill today.
The game saw five goals and three red cards, but it means that Gavin Rose’s men are now seven points clear of the relegation zone in 15th place.
The Hamlet started the game well on a windy afternoon, with Nyren Clunis looking dangerous on the right-hand side.
It was Clunis’ incisive run that led to the breakthrough in the 36thminute. He squirmed his way to the byline and sent the ball low into the box where Dipo Akinyemi was waiting to pass the ball into an empty net.
Things got even worse for the visitors on the stroke of half-time as Michael Herve received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, but Truro managed to make it to the break just one down.
Dulwich doubled their lead almost immediately after the interval.
Nathan Ferguson wriggled away from a Truro defender 25 yards out and his shot arrowed into the bottom corner after kissing the far post.
It was almost 3-0 five minutes later but Akinyemi missed a glorious opportunity after he rounded the onrushing goalkeeper and put his effort wide despite having a completely open goal to aim for.
Truro midfielder Alex Battle then proceeded to rifle a stunning strike into the top corner from 30 yards and give the visitors a foot back in the game.
However, their skipper Jamie Richards was then sent off after a moment of stupidity.
After the home side were awarded a corner he went over to argue with the linesman. After at least a minute of berating the official, referee Jack Packman had no choice but to give Richards a second yellow card and reduce Truro to nine men.
But this clearly buoyed the visitors as just five minutes later they were level. Jason Banton found himself through on goal, but he was impeded by Dulwich’s Dominic Vose and the referee wasted no time in giving him his marching orders and awarding Truro a penalty.
Connor Riley-Lowe calmly stepped up and levelled the game with 10 minutes to go.
Dulwich didn’t have to wait long for their winner and it was another brilliant goal. Substitute Luke Wanadio carried the ball to the edge of the box and then produced an immaculate finish into the bottom corner in the 85thminute.
Dulwich Hamlet were able to see out the last five minutes as the visitors could not mount another almighty comeback.
Next up for Dulwich Hamlet is a trip to Oxford City on Saturday.
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