Dulwich Hamlet couldn’t keep their recent good run going as they lost 2-0 to Lewes in the first round of the FA Trophy last weekend.
First-half goals from Bradley Pritchard and Tommy Wood gave Lewes victory against their Isthmian League Premier Division rivals to leave the majority of the 2,745 crowd disappointed.
Hakan Hayrettin’s side were unbeaten in three league games ahead of the fixture and the Hamlet manager brought Preston Edwards into his line-up following the goalkeeper’s return to the club last month.
It was a strong team as the hosts aimed to maintain their momentum from their league run.
Dulwich started well and Luke Wanadio fired just wide from the edge of the box in the first minute.
Despite the early home pressure, it was the visitors who took the lead eleven minutes in. Edwards brilliantly saved from Tommy Wood but the ball landed at Pritchard’s feet and he slotted in.
The Rooks’ former Hamlet defender Ronnie Vint headed over from a corner on 21 minutes. Two minutes later, another ex-Dulwich player, Deon Moore, crossed from the left and Chris Whelpdale’s effort was blocked.
The Hamlet had a chance to level in the 25th minute but Jerome Binnom-Williams’ shot was saved by Nathan Harvey.
The home side were the width of the crossbar from an equaliser a minute later as Wanadio was denied.
Lewes doubled their lead eight minutes before half-time as Edwards was given no chance by Wood’s shot into the top corner from ten yards from Harvey Hughes’ cross.
Adrian Clifton shot wide in the 38th minute and three minutes later he had another attempt blocked.
Dulwich pressed to get one back before the break and almost did when Clifton set up Wanadio for a shot that went just wide.
The woodwork denied Dulwich again in the 59th minute as this time Binnom-Williams’ free-kick beat Harvey but came back off the post.
Moore nodded wide as Lewes threatened to add a third in the 61st minute and eight minutes later Edwards had to tip his shot over the bar.
Dulwich substitute Anthony Jeffrey tried a couple of shots from distance but couldn’t find the target.
The hosts went close again four minutes from time when Binnom-Williams crossed for Ayuk Tarh but his effort was blocked.
Another substitute, Danny Mills, headed wide a minute later as Dulwich bowed out of the competition.
Hayrettin’s side are back in league action this Saturday when they travel to Haringey Borough for a 3pm kick-off.
Meanwhile, Ferenc Morath has paid tribute to his brother, Mishi, almost four years after his death. Dulwich Hamlet legend Mishi passed away in December 2019.
“For those who don’t know Mishi or his reputation, he was one of Dulwich’s most famous and passionate fans. He adored the club and everything about it. Even changed his name to include Dulwich,” Ferenc wrote in the match programme last weekend.
“Mishi did as much as anyone to make Dulwich the amazing ‘Community Club’ they are, and he was so proud to collect the awards that Dulwich got ahead of hugely bigger clubs.
“It’s almost a cliche now that every club claims to be, but without Mishi, I doubt Dulwich would be famous the world over for who and what they have become.
“His dream was always to see Dulwich play a league team in the FA Cup, and then we drew Carlisle at home and the BBC picked it. Sheer joy for Mishi Dulwich Morath.
“Mishi was a great poet, too, and very often the only working-class poet at poetry events. Many of his poems were about the Hamlet, much to the bemusement of most of the attendees.
“There is also going to be a book of his poetry published, hopefully in December, with all profits going to the Dulwich Hamlet Trust of course, and I hope many of you will buy a copy. Initial draft title is ‘The Rabble Rouser’.
“The last piece of the jigsaw is getting the new ground, with its new parks, community facilities and a decent percentage of affordable housing.
“Then Mishi’s ashes can go there and he’ll be raising a glass of coke, no ice, happily forever.”