By Wilf MacDonnell at Champion Hill
Dulwich Hamlet continued their pre-season preparations on the hottest day ever recorded in the UK with a 3-1 defeat to Millwall under-23s at Champion Hill on Tuesday evening.
The oppressive heat played a part in a cautious approach from both teams in the first 20 minutes. A trialist on the left wing for Hamlet flashed two efforts wide from 25 yards, one off either foot. Home fans might be hoping to see more of him this season.
Millwall took the lead when forward Seb Drozd came inside on his left foot in the 27th minute before fizzing the ball in to Tom Leahy, who turned before slotting home
Kevin Nugent’s Millwall were playing some excellent football and went 2-0 up before half-time. Drozd raced on to a bouncing ball outside the Dulwich box and struck his half-volley early across goal from 20 yards.
The Lions had senior players Hayden Muller and Alex Mitchell in their defence but the home side grew into the game in the second half. And 20 minutes into it, Kalvin Kalala reduced the deficit with a side-foot volley from a delightful Andre Blackman delivery.
Dulwich pushed for a late equaliser but were punished from a set-piece, when Kamarl Grant headed in from close range from a corner.
Gavin Rose’s side travel to Farnborough this Saturday for a 1pm kick-off.
Dulwich Hamlet: Osaghae; Ming, Vint, Taylor, Blackman, Raymond, Krasniqi, Trialist, Kalala, Trialist, Mills.
Millwall: Trialist; Muller, Smith, Mitchell, Okoli, Trialist, Allen, Lawson, Leahy, Abdulmalik, Drozd.
Image: Millwall FC