Girls against boys

The record books will show that on Sunday 7th July Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Football Team overcame their female counterparts by EIGHT goals to nil, on the all weather pitch at Dulwich College. Emphatic it was, but not quite as easy a rout as the scoreline suggested, in this truncated game of only half an hour each way, at the girls insistence. Which is a bit strange, seeing as they billed this game: 'HISTORY IN THE MAKING' & claimed that WE were more like 'ramblers', rather than 'The Rabblers', given our pace! I think the scoreline tells you how seriously we can take their pre-match hype! ;-)
Despite never looking like losing, as would be expected, due to the natural physical strength of theboys, the Village had a few chances to score, and Matt Hammond had to earn his post match BBQ burgers to keep a clean sheet. It was good to see a number of non-regular "Rabblers" making a re-appearance in the Pink 'n' Blue, namely Tony Mullins, Roger Deason, Paul Griffin & Mishi Morath. Though Danny King has become a bit of an irregular player himself, and could almost be included in that list. Star of the show was Larry Marsh, who hit half of the 'Rabblers' goals, one in particular being a 'blaster' right at the keepr from yards out! The other goals came from Andy Murphy, who in my book was our man of the match, Chris Garrett, Chris Wheeler & Steve Rickerby, who sublime chip from the touchline at least thirty yards out, has been compared to that famous Nayim lob against Arsenal in that European final..or, alternatively, a cross gone wrong!
Peckham Village, I think it would be fair to say, are a development team. They finished last in their third division in the Greater London Womens' League last season. And despite some who thought this may have a been a silly mismatch beforehand, it became a decent game, with some of the skill on dplay and the 'never say die' spirit from the girls earning the full respect of the boys by the time the final whistle was blown. I don't think there is anyone who took part against them who would say they will be rock bottom come May 2008. On this showing they should be comfortably mid table at least. They are a team who the majority had not played any football at all before froming Peckham Village FC. So credit to them all.
If you've nothing to do on a Sunday afternoon next season you could do a lot worse than checking out their site & popping down to the Griffin sportsground in Dulwich Village to cheer them on. Provided it doesn't clash with Dulwich Hamlet Youth Team games of course! ;-)
The new kit, based on the great Dulwich Hamlet 1919/20 Amateur Cup & Isthmian League double winning side, looks splendid. Big thanks to Larry Marsh & Andy Tucker for arranging it.

After the final whistle we had a fun penalty shoot out, I can't remember the exact score, but they won in sudden death. Phil 'Big Nose' Baker contrived to miss his, so we could get onto the important matters in hand, namely the post match BBQ at Dawn Taylors place in East Dulwich. Those of us who went enjoyed immensely, some more than others eh Big Nose, and we let the girls come out tops at the cooking as well, thanks for slaving over the barbie Dawn, and also the silly 'pick up the box' game in the garden after dark! Not half as sordid as it sounds!

Hopefully this match will become an annual event.

Enjoy the photos below, kindly uploaded by Paul Griffin, albeit too big for the page, but if you click on each one you should be able to look at them.

You can also see the snaps Griff took of the match himself by clicking here.





Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' FC, Saturday 7th July 2007: Back row, left to right: Tony Mullins; Chris Wheeler; Mark Hutton; Steve Rickerby; Lawrence Marsh; Phil Baker. Front row, left to right: Chris Garrett; Danny King; Roger Deason; Matt Hammond; Andy Murphy; Phil Doyle; Mishi morath. (Not in photo: Paul Griffin ,arrived a liitle late)



Peckham Village FC: Saturday 7th July 2007, at Dulwich College all-weather pitch.



Boys and girls together!

Didn't want to leave anyone out on the sideline!

Just as well it's only hoops that make you fat! ;-)

Well I never said I was David Bailey! ;-) The ball must be nearby...

Totally out of character: on another planet perhaps? ;-)

That's Paul Griffin in action on the right, making up for missing the team photo!

Not fair! That was the 'infamous' blaster! ;-)

At last the final whistle!

But where's your Dulwich Hamlet tattoo?

I take back that earlier caption: it looks like he's from another planet! ;-)

Enjoying a last gasp cigarette before the pub ban kicks in!

So it's true you only have one eye...

Another half hour anyone? NO THANKS!

And so to the penalties...

And here's the real reason for playing them...

Tuck in chaps!

Oh no, is that a spot? ;-)

At least one of them knows how to smile...

Have you ever seen a more shady character than our Fidel...


So who's nicked the jam jar?

Is this what Cameron meant when he said 'hug a hoodie?'...

The girls gwt in party mood


As the boys drink on outside


Someone get some more beers from the kitchen sink...

The boys line up with our host Dawn

The George Galloway of Champion Hill

The Jonathan King of Champion Hill....

Getting a bitter drunker...

You had to pick up the box without your hands touching the ground. Each round the box got cut down shorter & shorter, until it was no higher off the floor than a box of cigarettes.

It got all too much for some. As 'Big Nose' Baker dozes off on the sofa I'll say good night to you too at the end of this post!