By Simeon Wright at Champion Hill
Dulwich Hamlet retained sixth place in the National League South table after a tight 1-0 victory over in-form Braintree Town at Champion Hill last weekend.
The Essex club, though third from bottom, had been on a superb run of seven matches unbeaten, but a first goal since early December for winger Darren McQueen means that the Hamlet sit in the play-off spots, level on points with St Albans City and two clear of eighth-place Hungerford Town, who have played two games and one game fewer, respectively.
Braintree ended the match with ten men and failed to create much during the 90 minutes, but did have the first chance when Khale Da Costa forced Charlie Grainger into action from 25 yards in the thirteenth minute. The ex-Leyton Orient stopper spilled the ball but was not punished for it.
The breakthrough came in style after 28 minutes when Tyrone Sterling’s great work down the left made an opening for McQueen, who pushed the ball into the area before bending a left-footed shot across William Johnson and finding the top-right corner.
Early in the second half, Town striker Luke Holness took aim from 20 yards but shot straight at Grainger, and that was moments after Giovanni McGregor had a powerful half-volley deflected onto the top netting, creating the illusion of a goal to some of the 2,705 fans inside Champion Hill.
McQueen might have had an assist to his name after he got to the byline and crossed for McGregor, but Dulwich boss Gavin Rose had his head in his hands as the midfield playmaker missed from six yards out.
McQueen made way for Reise Allassani in the 75th minute, the goal-scorer receiving a standing ovation.
Chances were few and far between in the final half-hour but the temperature of the game continued to rise. Braintree captain Matthew Johnson was lucky to escape a red card when he kicked out at Hamlet centre-back Ronnie Vint, before Town No.8 Alfie Payne was shown a second yellow for a late lunge on Jordan Higgs, who wore a protective face mask for a sixth consecutive match.
The win meant Dulwich put right a difficult week after they were eliminated from the London Senior Cup on penalties by Hendon, who Hamlet beat by the same spot-kick scoreline to secure promotion to National League South in 2018.
Next up for Rose’s side is a trip to fifteenth-place Hampton & Richmond Borough this Saturday.
Photo: @Lockie_Photo_