MATCH REPORT: CONCORD RANGERS 2-2 DULWICH HAMLET

The Aspect Arena

National League South

Saturday 26th March

Concord Rangers 2

Dulwich Hamlet 2

A late Danny Green penalty ensured a share of the spoils as Concord and Dulwich Hamlet played out a 2-2 draw at The Aspect Arena.

It was the visitors who dominated the early stages of the game and Concord goalkeeper Myles Roberts was called into action on the quarter hour mark. Danny Mills chested the ball down before sliding the ball in behind for Reise Allassani but the 26-year-old saw his powerful effort parried behind at the near post by Roberts.

Just five minutes later The Beach Boys took an arguably undeserved lead from a fantastic Nana Kyei strike. Experienced striker Ben Williamson slid the ball into the path of Kyei who drove forward before bending an unstoppable strike into the far corner to make it 1-0 to Concord.

However, the hosts joy was short-lived and within three minutes Dulwich Hamlet were level. Danny Mills rose highest from a Jordan Higgs corner to head into the danger area, where Taofiq Olomowewe was on hand to poke home in a crowded six-yard area.

Things then went from bad to worse for The Beach Boys as a Mills strike turned the game on its head. Andre Blackman was found in space on the left and the former Southend United full back delivered a low cross that was side-footed into the bottom corner by an unmarked Mills to give The Hamlet the lead. This strike was Mills’ 11^th of the National League South season, to ensure the visitors went in at half time 2-1 up, as he leads the Dulwich Hamlet goalscoring charts.

The second half looked to have got off to the worst possible start for Concord when a Blackman cross was met at the back post and converted by former England youth international Allassani. However, the officials came to Concord’s rescue ruling the goal out for handball.

The rest of the second half was very quiet apart from Roberts making a fine save to deny Giovanni McGregor. However, there was to be late drama five minutes from time. A long kick from Roberts was met by Kyei who collided with Dulwich goalkeeper Charlie Grainger, forcing the referee to award a penalty. Top scorer Danny Green stepped up and just like he did in the reverse fixture against Dulwich Hamlet the 31-year-old converted from the spot sending Grainger the wrong way in order to bag his ninth goal of the season.

A late point for The Beach Boys, who haven't lost at home since January, sees them go four games unbeaten as they remain 15^th in the table. On the other hand, a draw for Dulwich means they are now five games without a win as they lose ground on the other sides in the playoff positions.

Nathan Williams