Tonbridge (1) 3 Akrofi 8,74 Elder 50
Dulwich Hamlet (1) 1 Beaney 26
Attendance: 305
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 38/7,260
A first look at the team sheet, although very much aware of the problems leading up to the game, left me feeling that this would be too big an ask, despite Dulwich Hamlet also fielding a side that probably won’t bear any resemblance to the one that returns on Saturday for an important Ryman League fixture.
From the starting eleven it was difficult to work out who would be playing where with the left back spot a real dilemma. After Saturday when three left backs were injured at Staines, perhaps nobody wanted to play there! As it was, the newly-found Jack of all Trades, Damian Scannell filled in to great effect.
Tonbridge were a goal to the good after just eight minute when. An electrifying run and cross from Andre McCollin was met with a stooping header from Alex Akrofi from two yards.
Dulwich slowly worked their way back into the game and, despite a Luke Allen free kick that was narrowly over the bar, there wasn’t too much of a surprise when the visitors equalised after 26 minutes. An unnecessary foul by Mitchell Nelson produced a free kick on the edge of the box that was fired in at the near post by Kenny Beaney.
Hamlet now entered into a purple patch and four minutes later were awarded a penalty when Liam Smith was adjudged to have pushed and was given a yellow card for his trouble.
Ibra Sekajja struck the spot kick firmly enough but Tonbridge’s goalkeeper, Jonny Henly guessed right and parried the ball with Sonny Miles completing the clearance. Almost without doubt it was a big turning point in the match and Dulwich certainly had the momentum at that time.
Dulwich were certainly the side that created the chances in the latter period of the first half with Dumebi Dumaka wasting a heading opportunity and a speculative overhead kick from Sekajja also clearing the bar.
Tonbridge substituted McCollin for Nathan Elder at half-time and the move brought an almost instant dividend. Akrofi’s run into the box was halted but the diminutive striker won the ball back and stood up the perfect cross to the far post for Elder to deliver a trademark header.
Sekajja delivered a cross from the left that begged a touch but didn’t get one and Smith did exceptionally well to clear from the line as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
The game became open and end to end as the teams traded attacks. For the Angels, Akrofi was literally terrorising the Hamlet back line that was pretty ponderous.
After 74 minutes, Tonbridge gave themselves a bit of breathing space with a third goal. Elder won the ball for Luke Allen to deliver a killer pass into the path of Akrofi who deftly rolled the ball past the advancing Preston Edwards.
Dulwich responded as they had to in order to save the game but found a Henly on top form saving firstly at the feet of Gavin Tomlin and then a fine save at his near post from Dumaka.
Promotion would be the top priority for both of these clubs and either would possibly trade the win for three points on Saturday, but a Cup Final is still something to look forward to.
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