Dulwich Hamlet emerged victorious over Brentwood Town, with a second-half David Smith brace proving to be the difference.
It was a scrappy affair in the opening exchanges, as both sides looked to get a foothold in midfield.
After 10 minutes, Blues shot-stopper Aiden Prall was called into action when Lonit Talla’s free-kick delivery caused problems in the box. Following a brief scramble, Jordan Wynter fired goalwards, but Prall reacted instinctively to deny the Dulwich attack.
Brentwood carved out a couple of chances of their own over the next 10 minutes. First, Charlee Hughes’ deflected effort looked a comfortable take for Dulwich goalkeeper Toby Bull, but he spilled the ball and recovered just in time to deny the lurking Ade Cole. Shortly afterwards, the Blues were awarded a free-kick when Danny Ogunleye was brought down centrally on the edge of the area. Kymani Thomas stepped up, but his effort was comfortably saved by Bull.
As the first half wore on, Hamlet created a couple of dangerous moments. The first came when Anthony Jeffrey’s low cross into the box was palmed away by Prall, with the ball finding its way back to Jeffrey, who went to ground under pressure from Max Hudson seconds later. Penalty appeals followed, but referee Joe Gray waved them away.
Dulwich right-back Sean Bonnett-Johnson then almost capitalised on a clever corner routine, fizzing a long-range effort just wide of the post to create a real heart-in-mouth moment for Brentwood.
Brentwood started the second-half brightly, and it took only 2 minutes after the restart to register a shot at goal, with Louie Johnson firing just wide from long range.
From that point on, Dulwich began to turn on the style. Brentwood were given an early warning when Luke Wanadio was played through, but Prall read the danger well and was quick off his line to make a smart save.
Two minutes later, however, Dulwich found the breakthrough through striker David Smith. Brentwood were dispossessed in midfield and the visitors broke swiftly on the counter, with substitute Nyren Clunis’ cross met by the deftest of touches from Smith to guide the ball beyond the outstretched arm of Prall.
Dulwich were now in the ascendancy as they pushed for a second. Jeffrey went close with a long-range effort that took a wicked deflection and looped narrowly over the bar, landing on the roof of the net. Smith then thought he had his second of the game, only for the flag to deny him for offside.
Keith Rowland responded by introducing Benas Vaivada, and the creative winger almost made an instant impact. A slick move by the Blues saw Vaivada drive into the box and curl an effort agonisingly over the bar.
Brentwood were then handed another decent opportunity when Thomas snatched at a shot after Cole’s initial effort was blocked.
Dulwich, however, refused to sit back and continued to look dangerous going forward with 20 minutes of the game still remaining. Wanadio, a constant threat throughout, went close again as he curled an effort wide from the edge of the area.
That warning proved costly seconds later as the visitors doubled their lead. Brentwood again surrendered possession, allowing Dulwich to break on the counter, with Jeffrey feeding Clunis inside the box. Clunis unselfishly squared for Smith to tap home his second of the afternoon, and Clunis’ second assist of the game.
Brentwood did not let their heads drop and continued to push for a goal of their own. Another positive move down the left flank saw Vaivada tee up Thomas for a free header, but the forward could only glance his effort just over the bar. Johnson was then presented with another shooting opportunity, one he rarely turns down, firing narrowly over from distance.
In second-half stoppage time, Clunis, who proved a game-changer after his introduction on 52 minutes, almost made it three as he drilled an effort wide of the post, before referee Gray brought proceedings to a close.
Brentwood Town are in action again next weekend as they travel to play-off rivals Dartford, in what is sure to be another firery and difficult encounter. Tickets can be purchased online here.
There are also 2 supporters coaches travelling to Princes Park. One is fully booked, with the other having very limited seats remaining. To secure your seat, click this link.
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Prall (GK), Reid, Cripps (C), Kaiser, Hudson (Freeman 80′), Cole (Edwards 72′), Brooke (Vaivada 61′), Johnson, Ogunleye, Thomas, Hughes
Subs not used: Aarons Royal, Pollock
DULWICH HAMLET: Bull (GK), Bonnett-Johnson (Okonkwo 79′), Chambers (C), Adewunmi, Palmer (Mills 87′), Wynter, Talla, Raymond (Clunis 52′), Wanadio (Cook 83′), Jeffrey (Mico 79′), Smith
Subs not used: N/A
