Hamlet v Bowers & Pitsea (Isthmian League) Saturday 8th February 2025

[Pink Panther]

Official preview for this match:

MATCH PREVIEW | Dulwich Hamlet vs Bowers & Pitsea

The fight for Isthmian League survival continues on Saturday as we host bottom of the table side Bowers & Pitsea this Saturday. It's a massive...

dulwichhamletfc.co.uk

It would certainly be useful if Sam German is finally able to return in place of Ross Marshall. He's been reported as one week away from returning on several occasions since just before Christmas.

After Monday's cup win I actually feel confident of winning this one, rather than just hoping for the best. We really do need to start winning quite urgently now, as anything less could see us drop into the relegation spots for the first time this season.

We eem to have had a remarkable sequence of playing in form teams since the wheels first began to come off in late November. The first real setback was at home to Hashtag, who escaped from the bottom four as a result, but have since climbed to 6th. The next home defeats were against Dover and Cray Valley, who were the top two at the time and on fire, but have both since become more inconsistent. Carshalton had won 5 in a row, yet we actually managed to beat them on Boxing Day. We lost at Whitehawk, who had just changed manager and were in the middle of a sequence of just one defeat in 10. We lost at Cray, who were on a winning streak with only one goal conceded in 5 games. Then came the fateful defeat at home to Bognor, which was the final straw for Hak's reign as manager.

Since Brad took over we've lost at Billericay, who went top as a result and have now won 6 of their last 8. We lost to Chichester, who have now won 7 in a row. Then we lost at Horsham, who have now won 10 of the last 11. By contrast Bowers haven't won in 8 and have scored only 27 goals in 29 games, 4 of which were in the first half when we lost at their place in September. That was their second win of the season, having broken their duck at current leaders Dartford the previous weekend. Their squad included two former Hamlet players in Alex Teniola and Yannis Ambroisine.

We've got a tougher looking assignment at home to Folkestone on Tuesday evening, followed by another 6 pointer at Hastings next Saturday. The following weekend's game away to Potters Bar will be played at King's Langley, where they're groundsharing while a 3G pitch is installed at their own ground, so that's a bonus new ground tick for many of us who like that sort of thing.

 

[KPMG]

We were in the relegation zone for a long period on Tuesday while Hendon were ahead, but luckily Cheshunt pulled it back. Tuesday was very kind to us and now our future is in our own hands.

 

[Pink Panther]

We were in the relegation zone for a long period on Tuesday while Hendon were ahead, but luckily Cheshunt pulled it back. Tuesday was very kind to us and now our future is in our own hands.

I noticed that, but I don't count in game fluctuations. It's only the final scores that matter, once the points have been won and lost. Cheshunt scored twice in the last 8 minutes or so to lead 2-1, then Hendon equalised deep into stoppage time, so we were very close to a better result.

We have been fortunate that none of the teams anchored in the bottom four has been picking up more than the odd point since Bognor beat us, but that obviously won't last for ever, so we need to get our act together before any of the others does. I want us to be well out of it before we visit Bognor in April, after which there will be just 3 more games. I don’t think I can stand it going down to the wire again like it did two years ago.

 

[Don't Slow Down]

I noticed that, but I don't count in game fluctuations. It's only the final scores that matter, once the points have been won and lost. Cheshunt scored twice in the last 8 minutes or so to lead 2-1, then Hendon equalised deep into stoppage time, so we were very close to a better result.

We have been fortunate that none of the teams anchored in the bottom four has been picking up more than the odd point since Bognor beat us, but that obviously won't last for ever, so we need to get our act together before any of the others does. I want us to be well out of it before we visit Bognor in April, after which there will be just 3 more games. I don’t think I can stand it going down to the wire again like it did two years ago.

I'm not greedy, safety gained away to Bognor as we send the fuckers down!

 

[Pink Panther]

Still no Sam German!

 

[Pink Panther]

3-0 up at half time, Bremang (2) and Chambers.

 

[Pink Panther]

Full time 3-0.

 

[jbjl]

Not there but a... Massive win. Gwan the Hamlet!

 

[El Matador]

Great win, although have to say B&P were dreadful and made life easy.

Still encouraging to see us playing through midfield rather than over the top of it. Great start for Bremang with 2 goals. No idea how he didn't get a hattrick - missed a couple of great chances for it.

Really liked the look of Ben Mason on the right of a back 3. Best player on the park.

Much bigger test on Tuesday night but at last, something to be positive about.

 

[Pink Panther]

That was exactly what we needed right now. A totally convincing performance with no real shortcomings, other than the minor failing of wasting some chances to add another goal in the second half when we were already three ahead. Bowers are clearly one of the weakest sides in the division, but so are Bognor and look what happened there! Hamlet were in complete control from the moment we took an 8th minute lead. Bowers' attacking threat was mostly restricted to the few set pieces they managed to force, the best of which was a direct free kick tipped away at full stretch when they were already three down, plus a few potshots from long range that were comfortably dealt with by Barnes.

What was also pleasing was the way we played. A makeshift back three of Chambers, with Mason and Wynter either side, was solid throughout. SBJ and Scott were the central midfielders, with Marshall and Hudson as wing backs. Mills was the spearhead in a narrow but fluid front three, supported by new men Bremang and Kaunda, who worked hard and dropped deeper when not in possession. We passed the ball around swiftly, and for the most part accurately, at a good tempo and without unnecessarily going backwards or sideways.

The first goal took just 8 minutes to arrive. A spoiling foul just inside our half gave us a free kick. the defenders left it to Barnes, who advanced almost to the centre circle as if to "stick it in the mixer", but he passed it low out to the right flank from where a cross was delivered from an unexpected angle. Bowers couldn't clear the ball effectively and it dropped to Bremang, just to the left of the penalty spot, to fire hard and low into the opposite corner. The second was all about Mills, who rolled back the years with a sublime flick and sharp turn out wide on the left before striding away towards goal. From the edge of the box he aimed a low shot that didn't look dangerous enough to cause the keeper a real problem, but he spilled it diving to his left, and Bremang pounced to smash the loose ball into the net from close range. A third was added ten minutes before half time following a spell of sustained pressure. Bowers never manged to fully clear a corner and their penalty box was pummelled by a series of deliveries before Chambers scrambled the ball past the keeper from the edge of the six yard box. Bremang was a real handful and missed 2 or 3 opportunities to complete a hat-trick in the second half. Kaunda, younger and less polished, also had his moments and will surely improve with more game time. Mason, despite being relatively short, was superb in defence and looks a hell of prospect. The new manager has done well to get young players of this quality into the squad so soon. A word too for our senior player Mark Marshall, who put in a terrific shift tracking back to defend, while also showcasing the quality and experience of 350+ league appearances.

Other results were once again helpful, with no one below us gaining a point. Hendon's game at Cray Valley was off, while the other three all lost, with Hastings losing in stoppage time after leading for most of the afternoon at Cheshunt. We're also now in touching distance of a couple of the sides above us and another win at home to Folkestone on Tuesday might push us ahead of Canvey, who visit Hastings, and Whitehawk, who host Hendon. Those fixtures either they keep teams anchored in the bottom four, or they drag others into the relegation scramble. Most importantly, if we can sustain our own standards show today, I'm confident we can only get batter over the remainder of the season.

 

[Bugpowder Dust]

I hope that typo is "better" and not "battered"

 

[Don't Slow Down]

That was exactly what we needed right now. A totally convincing performance with no real shortcomings, other than the minor failing of wasting some chances to add another goal in the second half when we were already three ahead. Bowers are clearly one of the weakest sides in the division, but so are Bognor and look what happened there! Hamlet were in complete control from the moment we took an 8th minute lead. Bowers' attacking threat was mostly restricted to the few set pieces they managed to force, the best of which was a direct free kick tipped away at full stretch when they were already three down, plus a few potshots from long range that were comfortably dealt with by Barnes.

What was also pleasing was the way we played. A makeshift back three of Chambers, with Mason and Wynter either side, was solid throughout. SBJ and Scott were the central midfielders, with Marshall and Hudson as wing backs. Mills was the spearhead in a narrow but fluid front three, supported by new men Bremang and Kaunda, who worked hard and dropped deeper when not in possession. We passed the ball around swiftly, and for the most part accurately, at a good tempo and without unnecessarily going backwards or sideways.

The first goal took just 8 minutes to arrive. A spoiling foul just inside our half gave us a free kick. the defenders left it to Barnes, who advanced almost to the centre circle as if to "stick it in the mixer", but he passed it low out to the right flank from where a cross was delivered from an unexpected angle. Bowers couldn't clear the ball effectively and it dropped to Bremang, just to the left of the penalty spot, to fire hard and low into the opposite corner. The second was all about Mills, who rolled back the years with a sublime flick and sharp turn out wide on the left before striding away towards goal. From the edge of the box he aimed a low shot that didn't look dangerous enough to cause the keeper a real problem, but he spilled it diving to his left, and Bremang pounced to smash the loose ball into the net from close range. A third was added ten minutes before half time following a spell of sustained pressure. Bowers never manged to fully clear a corner and their penalty box was pummelled by a series of deliveries before Chambers scrambled the ball past the keeper from the edge of the six yard box. Bremang was a real handful and missed 2 or 3 opportunities to complete a hat-trick in the second half. Kaunda, younger and less polished, also had his moments and will surely improve with more game time. Mason, despite being relatively short, was superb in defence and looks a hell of prospect. The new manager has done well to get young players of this quality into the squad so soon. A word too for our senior player Mark Marshall, who put in a terrific shift tracking back to defend, while also showcasing the quality and experience of 350+ league appearances.

Other results were once again helpful, with no one below us gaining a point. Hendon's game at Cray Valley was off, while the other three all lost, with Hastings losing in stoppage time after leading for most of the afternoon at Cheshunt. We're also now in touching distance of a couple of the sides above us and another win at home to Folkestone on Tuesday might push us ahead of Canvey, who visit Hastings, and Whitehawk, who host Hendon. Those fixtures either they keep teams anchored in the bottom four, or they drag others into the relegation scramble. Most importantly, if we can sustain our own standards show today, I'm confident we can only get batter over the remainder of the season.

I know we can only beat what is put in front of us, but that performance had a good mix of what has been missing for some time now.

Every player seems to have the ability to up the tempo, which then asked questions of Bowers.
Mason, Kaunda and Bremang look like additions we have been crying out for. Mason didn't why from a challenge, whether on the ground or in the air and also has a good quality of cross. Kaunda wants the ball, wants to run at defences, has good feet and will only improve. Bremang looks hungry, not scared to have a dig and seems to know where the back of the net is.

The whole tempo of how we played seems to have stepped up, which hopefully we can use to our advantage against the better teams in this division.

Barnes had a solid game, very good recovery for the double save in the first half and got good hands on the free kick in the second half to send it to safety.

If we can continue in this vein it will give Quinton the right sort of headache when it comes to selection if/when everyone is fit.

That London Senior Cup game came at a good time to break that winless streak in the league and reset.

 

[editor]

Hamlet Dickensian chic:

 

[Sir Nikolai]

Certainly looks like Mr Quinton can spot a good player. All the new boys looked very decent acquisitions.

 

[Paula_G]

I know we can only beat what is put in front of us, but that performance had a good mix of what has been missing for some time now.

If nothing else Saturday proved that though no team, Dulwich included, is “too good to go down” there are clubs in the relegation zone that simply aren’t good enough to stay up. From reading comments here as well this is no “dead cat bounce” from the Hamlet, there seems to be a change in attitude, a change in approach on the field, a change in tactics that is bringing back positive vibes. Whether an earlier change in manager might have been productive, that’s neither here nor there.

 

[editor]

Max pics!

In photos: Dulwich Hamlet bag all three points against Bowers & Pitsea, Sat 8th Feb 2025

Saturday’s 3-0 vital win over fellow strugglers Bowers & Pitsea saw the pink and blues rise four points above the drop zone. Buzz photographer Max was there to see the goals go in:

www.brixtonbuzz.com

 

[Bugpowder Dust]

Realised after reading that there was no JB in the squad - injured? Or has the new manager made his first big call?

 

[Moroccan Sunset]

Realised after reading that there was no JB in the squad - injured? Or has the new manager made his first big call?

I thought this but checked the match preview and it said he had a knock to his knee, I think. Injured, basically.

 

[Pink Panther]

Realised after reading that there was no JB in the squad - injured? Or has the new manager made his first big call?

JBW and AJ both injured at the moment. However, if we keep the same 3-4-3 (or 3-4-2-1) system used for the last couple of games I'm not sure how either of them slots back into the starting XI. I can only see JBW at left centre back in that system (a role filled by Wynter on Saturday) but he and Chambers alongside each other are vulnerable to being bypassed a bit too easily for my liking. I just don't think we can pick both together and Chambers is the more reliable defender, despite JBW's flourishes in the attacking part of the field.

AJ is a pure winger, and that role doesn't really exist under the current manager, so I don't see him as more than an impact substitute or "Plan B" under Brad. Luke is more versatile and more consistent, so he can play off the main striker(s), and I thought he was pretty sharp coming off the bench on Saturday following several below par games. Hansson also looked more confident in a brief cameo.

German, Porter, Ramsay and Hand were also missing from the squad for this game. The first three were reported as injury doubts, but I'm not sure about Hand.

Obviously the two loanees from Luton have departed, but with 4 additional players arriving in the last 3 weeks there's inevitably going to be less game time for some of Hak's favourites.