Chelmsford City extended their good run of form in front of a healthy crowd of 2,826 at Dulwich Hamlet’s Champion Hill ground on Saturday.
Following almost a year in exile, after moving sticks further across south London to Tooting & Mitcham United’s Imperial Fields, the Hamlet were playing their fourth game back at their traditional home.
Any optimism however was quickly dampened four minutes into the contest. Former Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon man Chris Whelpdale took full advantage of a napping Dulwich defence and headed home from a deep Chez Isaac free-kick.
Luck
It was a tale of set pieces early on, with Dulwich restoring level terms just two minutes later. Chelmsford had their turn at a lack of defensive coordination, allowing Nathan Green to direct the ball past Clarets goalkeeper Nathan McDonald.
The home side were on the search for a second, with livewire former Chelmsford winger Anthony Cook testing the Clarets defence on a number of occasions, hitting the side netting from a free-kick on the 18 minute mark.
Chelmsford, on the other hand, couldn’t find their rhythm. Prolific striker Rhys Murphy failed to notice winger Tom Wraight on his left numerous times, with Chelmsford attacks fizzling out in the process.
Red Card
Just after the half hour mark, Michael Chambers was awarded a red card by referee Robert Massey-Ellis following a second yellow after the defender hauled down Murphy. Murphy’s subsequent free-kick was saved by Preston Edwards.
Following a few half chances that came to nothing, both sides retreated for half-time.
Both sides picked up from where they left off in the first half. Both outfits saw occasional flashes come to nothing, with the forwards Cook and Murphy both looking threatening for Dulwich and Chelmsford respectively.
The Clarets’ numerical advantage soon put Dulwich to the sword. Just before the hour mark, Whelpdale doubled his tally for the afternoon, and indeed the season, sending a looping header over a helpless Edwards in front of the Chelmsford faithful, following an expert cross by Anthony Church.
Fifteen minutes from the final whistle, Chelmsford striker Scott Fenwick rounded Dulwich’s Edwards, but failed convert when it really mattered.
City boss Rod Stringer introduced Aaron Cosgrave and Max Porter into the second half in order to shore the Chelmsford side up.
On 87 minutes, the Hamlet came within inches to levelling proceedings. Substitute Decarrey Sheriff rose the highest in the box, meeting a corner, however McDonald was equal to the headed effort, denying a last gasp Dulwich equaliser.
Ecstasy
If relief was one emotion for Chelmsford, ecstasy was next on the menu. Cosgrave darted forward, finding fellow substitute Mikhail Kennedy in the box, who slotted past Edwards from close range to secure all three points for the Clarets.
The result further strengthens Chelmsford’s promotion aspirations, consolidating a fourth place position for the Clarets. Meanwhile, Dulwich will perhaps be looking over their shoulders rather precariously, sitting in 17th place, just four points from safety.
Chelmsford City will place host to Hungerford Town this weekend after a good run of form that has seen the Clarets yield seven victories from their last eight outings. Meanwhile, Dulwich will be travelling to south Essex to face Concord Rangers in a bid to secure their first league win since Boxing Day.
Dulwich Hamlet starting XI: Edwards; Okuonghae, Green, Taylor, Chambers; Cook, Vose (Onovwigun 78′), Ferguson, Clunis (Akinyemi 66′); Mavila, Thompson (Sheriff 52′).
Subs not used: Touré, Essuman.
Chelmsford City starting XI: McDonald; Anderson, Cașcaval, Spillane, Barnum-Bobb (Cosgrave 63′); Whelpdale, Church (Porter 76′), Isaac, Wraight; Murphy (Kennedy 83′), Fenwick.
Subs not used: Khinda-John, Giles.
