By Simeon Wright
Gavin Rose has hinted at “two or three” additions to his Dulwich Hamlet squad in the near future as injuries continue to pile up.
The Hamlet came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Eastbourne Borough at Champion Hill on Tuesday night, a result which keeps them sixth in National League South.
Rose made just one change from the starting line-up which beat Concord Rangers 4-1 three days earlier, and admitted that things are tough right now.
Rose said: “Our performance was quite tired today. A lot of the boys played 90 minutes [on Saturday] and had to do it again which is hard at this level.
“We’ve been hit by a spate of injuries, four or five now for boys who have been starting week-in-week-out which takes its toll. But at the same time it’s good not to come away with a loss.
“But also an opportunity we’ve missed that we hopefully won’t regret.
“There’s not much we can do, we’ve got guys who are out for more than two or three weeks, some for four, five and six weeks.
“What we’re going to have to do is get in some replacements. The boys have done well in the period where we’ve had players out but now they need help.
“The club are aware and we’re working really hard to get two or maybe three in.”
Returning striker Ibra Sekajja equalised four minutes after coming on after Dulwich had fallen behind to a goal by Eastbourne forward Charley Kendall.
Goalkeeper Nathan Harness, on-loan from Charlton Athletic, did not cover himself in glory for the goal, but Rose refused to blame his man and was happy with Harness’ overall display, and was of course pleased by Sekajja’s quick impact.
Rose added: “It obviously wasn’t what [the result] we wanted or planned for. Disappointing to give away the goal we did, Nath was unfortunate with the divot, it’s flicked up on him which is quite hard to read. But leading up to the goal we had so many opportunities to get rid of it and didn’t.
“He’s very safe. His kicking’s good, he covers the box really well, his handling is good. I think today you can’t really legislate for those sort of moments but he’s been very good, very assured and the boys are very comfortable with him in goal.”
“I was [delighted with Sekajja’s impact] because I didn’t really see where a goal was coming from but Ibra read the flick from Danny [Mills] really well and his finish was very good. It looks easier than it probably is but he’s very calm and cool in front of goal. And [he] always plays with a smile.
“After that we had opportunities and if our quality in the box was better we could have got more.”
