Dulwich Hamlet sent two goals past the Fleet in an exciting match at the Kuflink Stadium.
The Fleet started the match brightly with Dan Carlton seeing sight of goal in the opening 10 minutes when she stepped up to take a free kick from just inside the halfway line. That was comfortably collected by goalkeeper Reeves-Priestley. The strong start continued when a quick one-two between Amy Russ and Amelia Woodgate allowed Russ to unleash a shot from the edge of the area but once again the Dulwich keeper had that one under control.
Last week’s goalscorer Lydia Wills also came close when her hopeful long-range shot looped just wide of the post. The closest chance of the match came midway through the half when the Fleet were awarded a free-kick situated at the corner of the box when Logan O’Shea was fouled. Amy Russ stepped up to take the set piece to see the ball float towards goal but her effort clipped the crossbar and Dulwich eventually cleared their lines.
The first threatening chance for the visitors came moments later when Lily Price dispatched a low shot from just inside of the area but her effort was wide.
The game settled with both sides enjoying possession in what was a lively start to this match. Logan O’Shea did superbly to keep the ball in play at the byline minutes before half-time to then supply a ball into the area. Dan Carlton volleyed the ball towards goal with that chance just off target this time round.
The curtains closed on a thrilling opening 45 minutes and the hosts began the second-half the same they began the first, Amy Russ taking a shot out wide with Reeves-Priestley continuing on with her strong performance to keep the score level.
The chances kept coming for the Fleet. With 53 minutes on the clock the Fleet won themselves a corner. Russ whipped a ball into the area which floated towards the keeper’s gloves. She initially dropped the ball in the goalmouth but was able to gather the ball on her second attempt.
Immediately, Dulwich opened the scoring. A long kick from Reeves-Priestley picked out a fellow Dulwich player on the right to slot a ball into the path of Summer Roberts, who was through on goal. A composed low strike from Roberts put the visitors ahead minutes before the hour mark.
The Fleet looked for a response. Substitute Lily Hewitt was called into action straight away and unleashed a shot from distance but her effort was over.
Dulwich began to enjoy possession at the Kuflink, Roberts almost closing in on a second. Roberts found herself one on one with Fleet keeper Courtney Roberts and looped a shot towards goal. The ball bounced off the crossbar and fell back into the path of Roberts where she took a second shot, this time her effort just off target.
Courtney Roberts was called into action straight after when Angel Reid’s close-range effort forced a diving save from Roberts – a corner to the visitors.
The visitors would double their lead from the resulting corner. A short corner to Lily Price saw her execute a shot out wide from distance, leaving Roberts no chance of keeping that one out.
Minutes later play was paused when captain Dan Carlton went down with a serious injury. Unable to continue, Liv Jestin was called into action.
The Fleet continued to push for a comeback. Ellie Pace took a shot from inside the area but her effort was comfortably gathered by the Dulwich keeper once again.
Despite promising signs of a late comeback, a clear-cut shot wasn’t managed and the three points would head back to Champion Hill.
EUFC: Roberts, Pearch, Waud, Porter, O’Shea, Clifford, A Woodgate, Russ, Wills(62), Reynolds(62), Carlton(76). Subs: Grieve, Pace(62), Jestin(76), M Woodgate, Hewitt(62)
Attendance: 173
