I was stood at the front at the Greendale End for most of the match, but I had to move for the final 10 minutes as I couldn't bear to watch us hanging on at close quarters.
The penalty was entirely the linesman's call, after the referee had already given a free kick and shown the red card. I don't think you can argue with the red card, as Kassarate had already got goalside of the defender and was charging directly at goal with only the keeper to beat. I was surprised he didn't look that big in the clubhouse afterwards, because he was a monster on the pitch today in only his second start after picking up a knock at the end of pre-season. As well as winning the penalty and scoring a very well taken second, he won some full blooded tackles in midfield and stayed strong to clear the danger when he was being pulled all over the place by a forward inside the box, with the away fans howling for a penalty.
It looked like game over at 2-0, with Kassarate taking a cross from (I think) Baugh on his chest near the penalty spot, and somehow holding off two markers to bring the ball down and slot it past the keeper.
After a bright start to the second half, we suddenly lost control. Welling seemed to have the extra man, restricting us to shots from distance and causing real problems for our defence. Their goal was a bit lucky, as a possible foul on a defender was ignored and the ball was passed into the box for the scorer to beat Bull with a shot that wrongfooted our keeper as it trickled inside the near post after Michael Chambers' unsuccessful attempt to block it. The visitors were a whisker away from equalising when SBJ got caught the wrong side of his man to concede a free kick outside left corner of our box. A stunning direct strike rebounded from the crossbar when Bull had no chance of stopping the shot. Thankfully that was as bad as it got. With a few minutes remaining, Baugh produced some great wingplay on the left to throw off his markers and deliver a perfect cross for Cook to volley into the net at the far post.
It was my personal privilege and pleasure to meet the club's special matchday guest Lincoln Williams on behalf of the DHFC History Group. Lincoln played for us in 1969-71, mostly in the reserves but making 6 league and cup appearances with 1 goal, as well as scoring twice in a 2-0 pre-season win against a strong Crystal Palace XI. Lincoln is believed to be the first of many players from the Caribbean diaspora to represent DHFC, including a majority of the current squad. He attended with his son Robert, and his wife Sian also arrived to pick them up afterwards. He grew up at Brixton Hill and has recently returned to live there after living and working in Jamaica for over 30 years. He's a lovely fella who intends to become a regular supporter.
