duLwich feeL the frear

Seventh loss in eight games after visitors strike late

the starting XI, with Jordan Cheadle playing in defence on loan from Dorking Wanderers and goalkeeper James Holden on loan from Cambridge United.

It was Cheadle’s set-pieces that carried the early threat in the game.

Joe Felix had a shot deflected just wide following a poor attempted clearance from a corner and Johl Powell also had a big chance after some scrappy aerial contests, finding himself free in the box fifteen yards out but he slashed wildly at his effort.

Down the other end, Bath City also looked a threat. The lively winger Frear found Wilson unmarked in the box and he should have done better with his halfvolley. Midfielder Dan Hayfield also had a chance before the 40-minute mark but he was forced wide and could only stab his attempt into the side-netting.

In first-half stoppage-time there was to be a moment to forget for Cheadle on his Dulwich debut. Arguably the best player on the pitch up to this point, the defender stepped on the ball as the last man and Wilson took full advantage, racing onto the error and finishing confidently low to Holden’s left.

It was clear a big performance was needed from Dulwich in the second half and Barnes’s men could not have wished for a better start.

Three minutes after the break, a long throw-in was launched in the direction of Danny Mills. The striker used all his nous to draw in Bath defender Jack Batten, who held on to Mills and brought him down inside the area. Raymond equalised from the spot, side-footing left with goalkeeper Max Harris going right. Both sides struggled to build any momentum for some time after that goal. With Dulwich hoping to end a run of losses and Bath with a creditable point to take home, there appeared no immediate need for either side to take risks.

But in the final fifteen minutes the match sprang into life again. Felix drove the length of the pitch, demonstrating his excellent pace once more, but could only fire straight into the arms of Harris. Cheadle had two free-kicks in good areas. The first one was easily held by Harris before the second from 25 yards forced a magnificent save from the goalkeeper on his debut, as he reached high to scramble the ball away from the top corner.

However, it was to be late heartbreak for Dulwich again. Frear made one last foray down the right and almost ran out of space before clipping in a high cross that evaded everyone including Holden as the ball looped into the far corner. A fluke goal and a brutal end to an even encounter for Barnes and his team. That result left Dulwich in eighteenth place in the National League South table, five points above the relegation zone. The Hamlet were in action away to Worthing on Tuesday night. Go to southwarknews.co.uk for the report.

Dulwich are on the road again this Saturday, travelling to Hampton & Richmond for a 3pm kick-off.

Meanwhile, Barnes brought in 20-yearold attacker Dylan Gavin on a month’s loan from Charlton Athletic earlier this week.

Local football: Fish knocked by late jab

By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk

FiSher lOST for only the second time in their last nine games as their bid for a top-half finish in the SCeFl premier division suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat to punjab United at St paul’s last weekend.

Ajay Ashanike was without key creative players Billy Brown and Jacob Katonia through injury and it showed against a side five places below them in the table.

Jayden Hussein thought he had given the away side an early lead only for the hosts to be spared by an offside flag.

Punjab did go in front in the 24th minute when Paul Vines beat Sam Amedu from the penalty spot after Hussein had been fouled by Joseph Adewunmi.

Luke With then had an effort deflected wide and Fisher threatened again when Lewis Duberry was fouled but Michael Sarpong’s free-kick just missed the near post.

The hosts levelled five minutes before half-time when Adewunmi and Duberry combined well and Cedric Nganga headed home the latter’s cross.

Fisher were reduced to ten men for ten minutes in the second half after With was deemed guilty of dissent.

The hosts survived that period and then had chances to go in front but With headed over and Nganga clipped an attempt wide.

Fisher were left to rue those missed chances and will have been annoyed with the manner of the concession of the winner as Lea Dawson was left unmarked to head in a corner with eight minutes left.

The result left Fisher eleventh in the table with 32 points from 24 games.

Fisher were away at Erith Town in the league on Wednesday night. Go to southwarknews.co.uk for the report.

The Fish travel to Tunbridge Wells also in the league this Saturday for a 3pm kickoff.

Also in the Premier Division last weekend, Stansfeld lost 2-0 away to Bearsted. Omotunmise Akanni with a 21st-minute penalty and Kery Kedze in the last minute got the goals for the hosts.

That left the Stans in eighth, four points above Fisher. Stansfeld travel to Sutton Athletic this Saturday. Kick-off is 3pm.

In the First Division, Bermondsey Town hosted Forest Hill Park at St Paul’s on Tuesday night. Go to southwarknews. co.uk for the report. Dean Harrison’s side play Rochester United away this Saturday at 3pm.