Saturday 26th May 2007 10.45am kick off at Norman Park, Bromley, Kent.
International Tournament on the hallowed turf of Champion Hill. Just as 'a dog is not just for Christmas', your football is not just for 'showboating on the big pitch!'. We need players available for games such as these away to Bromley, not that far away after all; and any Hamlet fans reading this who have not played for us before please feel free to pass on your contact details to be added to our squad email list to Andrew.Tucker@justice.gsi.gov.uk
But back to Norman Park, on the borders of the English quarter of suburban London & the match that took place there. Once again we were hampered by some late drop outs, and the rushed call up of 'guests', but this did not stop the Hamlet roaring into a two goal advantage thanks to a brace from Joe Gillam, before Le Bromlei roared back to take a three two lead at the break. Early in the second half we equalised thanks to Chris Garrett, and that was how the score stayed until the last few minutes of this well fought, but friendly natured encounter. With not long left on the clock Matt Hammond in goal was elbowed, on the blind side of the referee with his guide dog being the only pooch in the entire park that failed to see it, and it was 4-3 to them. The same player who committed this 'non existant' foul had gone in on Matt with a late challenge not long before, with his goal disallowed. He proceeded to spend the remainder of the game getting niggly, moaning, and throwing his 'toys out of the pram', the only one on the pitch not really adherring to the 'IFA Spirit'. So when they did take the lead it was only 'justice' that Alex Bushell, for us, got the final touch for an own goal, which none of their lot could claim! We went straight on the attack to try to claw back the game, & the old man in black redeemed himself by over-ruling their lino who was flagging for a non existent offside. As play continued we won a corner which Bromley failed to defend properly as they were still 'discussing amongst themselves' the offside call. Whilst their 'Mothers Meeting' was continuing instead of getting back and defending properly we levelled up the match following a bit of a goalmouth scramble! Joe Gillam getting the final touch to claim his hat-trick. This was another good performance from The Rabblers, especially so when we lost our home game against the Hayes Lane Ultras 6-0 at Belair Park earlier this season. Seasoned veteran Ferenc Morath rolled back the years, all forty six of them!, to have an excellent game at centre back, possibly one of his best ever for us. Alex Bushell performed well, as did Chris 'Tubby' Tabrett when he came on at half time; though he has still to score that all illusive first goal for us he keeps on promising. And Steve 'Big Vern' Rickerby must have relishing the return of Matt Hammond in goal, so he could have what is becoming for him a rare runout on the park, having been stuck between the sticks for so long!
Despite not winning the game (& let's face it wins are a bit of a bonus for us!) we were outstanding for the first half hour of the match, passing the ball round well, a cracking all round team effort, whipping the ball in like seasoned professionals! The final whistle came with the traditional shaking of hands between two teams that may not like each other too much when the big boys play (not that that will happen too much now that they are in the Blue Square South!) but whu, underneath the surface, I think both sets of fans have a bit of begrudging admiration for each other!
Roll on the summer cricket match between us both!
Final score:
Haye Lane Ultras 4 Dulwich Hamlet Supporters 4.
'The Rabblers' line-up:
Matt Hammond, Chris Garrett, Luke Gillam, Alex Bushell, Andrew Tucker, Ferenc Morath (Chris Tabrett), Jack McInroy (Ian Wright), Steve Rickerby, Joe Gillam, Josh Gillam, Relwyn Reffell.
Hamlet goalscorers: Joe Gillam (3), Chris Garrett.
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