Bostik Premier Needham Market 0 Dulwich Hamlet 3 The Marketmen were well beaten at Bloomfields by the South London side, who consolidated their top spot in the Bostik Premier table.
Despite their well-documented troubles off the pitch, they showed their class on it, with this fine performance over a host side that fought well, but never recovered after conceding two early goals.
Dulwich boss Gavin Rose was delighted at the final whistle with the knowledge that Championship favourites Billericay had lost their sixth successive game, with the Londoners poised to potentially take advantage.
Meanwhile, Richard Wilkins side, comfortably in 17th position, gave a home debut to Charlie Edge, on loan from Colchester United who impressed, whilst the visitors had Corey Addai in goal, also on loan, from Coventry City.
Buoyed on by the large contingent of ‘Hamlet’ supporters amongst the crowd of 495 the visitors took the lead on seven minutes when Afolabi ‘Dipo’ Akinyemi proved physically too strong for challenges, before releasing an inch perfect diagonal ball to Nyren Clunis, who drove beyond Daniel Gay.
It was an impressive start from Dulwich who looked comfortable on the ball and were creating space in all areas, enabling them to play with authority and confidence, prompted by skipper Kenny Beaney, who bossed the midfield with his intelligent use of the ball.
Indeed they extended their lead in the 21st minute, but this was largely due to some calamitous defending, that saw Clunis sweep past two defenders and drive beyond the helpless Gay.
Needham recovered some composure and went close when their first strike on goal on 40 minutes saw Addai make a good save from Charlie Edge’s effort from 18 yards.
Dulwich made the perfect restart, when a breakaway in the 47th minute down the left culminated with Nathan Ferguson unleashing a rasping shot into the corner of the goal to put the visitors three up.
Moments later another sweeping move saw Gay deny Clunis his hat trick with a fine block.
The Marketmen showed plenty of character and enjoyed more possession and should have pulled a goal back when Addai made a point blank save from Kamanzi.
In a strong finale, Edge, moving with pace, fired a decent effort just over and substitute Callum Harrison went close, but at the final whistle Dulwich had proved too strong.
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