Southwark News, Thursday March 16 2023
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dulwich hamlet fc Photo by Rob Avis
By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk DULWICH HAMLET’S late, late match-winner last weekend George Porter knows the side face a tough run-in as they aim to avoid relegation from National League South but he believes a “rocking” Champion Hill can help them get the points they need to avoid dropping back into the Isthmian League.
The Hamlet turned the game on its head in the final six minutes against Havant & Waterlooville to spark jubilant scenes among the majority of 2,456 in attendance in East Dulwich. Ex-Dulwich forward Muhammadu Faal’s 59th-minute goal looked like it would be enough to hand Hakan Hayrettin’s side a second consecutive defeat. But Johl Powell levelled in the 84th minute before Porter got the winner a minute into added-time. Defeat would have meant the Hamlet dropping into the relegation places as they battle to extend their stay in the sixth tier into at least a sixth season. The Hawks were reduced to ten men just sixteen minutes in when Joe Newton picked up two bookings in just four minutes. Danny Mills was twice brilliantly denied by Josh Passley and Porter hit the woodwork between the hosts’ goals. But Porter pounced late to finish a loose ball in the box and give the home side three crucial points. “It was good. That was a tough game, Havant are a strong side, very physical. I thought we were brilliant, dug in deep,” Porter said. “We knew their game-plan. Obviously they had a man sent off early which helped us but we’re just so delighted to get the win.” Porter said it was important that Dulwich didn’t veer off course after the visitors’ sending-off. “That’s the thing since the gaffer’s
Hamlet find Port in storm Forward scores in added-time for crucial win in relegation fight
come in, that’s what he’s very good at, he’s always at us to stick to the plan which is something we’ve adapted to,” Porter explained. “We did a lot of work on Thursday. He says play your game, stick to the plan and chances will open up. We had a few chances in the first half but it wasn’t one of those panic situations. “We have got a tough run of fixtures but I always say when you’re playing in front of that many people at home you’ve got to get this place really
johnk@southwarknews.co.uk JONATHAN HAGGERTY has moved up to bantamweight to take on the legendary Nong-O Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Muay Thai World Championship next month.
Rock-bottom Lancers end season with walkover By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk SOUTHWARK LANCERS Rugby Club saw their opponents handed a walkover for the fourth time in their last six games as their turbulent Counties 2 Kent 2022-23 campaign came to an end last weekend.
This time it was Sevenoaks II given an away walkover ahead of their scheduled clash.
By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk DULWICH HAMLET face a “critical month” as their new stadium bid enters a consultation period – and the club again hit out at those opposing the development for “misinforming” and trying to “block” and “delay” the process.
George Porter
rocking, the home games are the bare minimum to pick up some points, and pick up points away from home. “The supporters were brilliant. When Johl equalised they were spurring us on and I was lucky to get the winner.” Hayrettin added: “I’m so happy for everyone concerned. I did tell people when I came here it wasn’t going to be easy. We’re going to have to ride the storm, work hard, roll our sleeves up until we come out the other end.
And that’s what the boys have given us. “In the short time space of time I’ve been here, to win two and lose one is fantastic so we need to keep pushing and driving and getting that ethos back into the team.” Dulwich were two points above the relegation zone before their trip to Bath City on Tuesday night. Go to southwarknews.co.uk for the report. The Hamlet travel to Ebbsfleet United this Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.
Haggerty and Nong-O headline the bill at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Walworth Road’s Haggerty, 26, who is a former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai world champion, will provide Nong-O, 36, with the eighth defence of his title. Haggerty’s kickboxing record is
20 wins from 24 fights, eleven by knockout. Haggerty’s last bout was against Vladimir Kuzmin at ONE on Prime Video 4 last November. The fight was at catchweight after Haggerty was three pounds over at the weigh-in. Haggerty won by majority decision.
Haggerty moves up weight to take on legend By John Kelly
The only two fixtures they played in that six-game schedule were against in Old Dunstonians, which resulted in a 52-15 defeat on the road, and Hastings & Bexhill, a 24-10 home loss. The Lancers lost all 22 league games this season as they finished on -10 points at the bottom of the twelve-team division, 38 points behind eleventh-place Maidstone. The Lancers had a points’ difference of minus-659 with 171 points scored and 830 conceded.
Stans end losing streak in style By John Kelly johnk@southwarknews.co.uk STANSFELD ENDED their six-game losing streak in style as they defeated Punjab United 4-1 in their SCEFL Premier Division match at Foxbury Avenue last weekend.
Dan Parkinson scored the opener in the eleventh minute and Rob Hughes doubled the lead two minutes later to set the hosts on their way to just a second win in thirteen games in 2023. Tommy Whitnell made it 3-0 in the 38th minute before Paul Vines pulled one back twelve minutes into the second half. Bu Alfie Moynes made sure it would be a comfortable victory when he added a
‘Critical month’ for Dulwich stadium plans
fourth on 78 minutes. The Stans are twelfth in the table, level on 39 points with Fisher, who weren’t in action at the weekend. The Fish have a game in hand. In the First Division, Bermondsey Town couldn’t add to their two league wins all season as they were defeated 2-0 at Forest Hill Park. Scott Jarvis in the 73rd minute and Ade Onasanya five minutes from time got the hosts’ goal. Fisher were in action against Deal Town on Tuesday night and travel to Welling Town this Saturday for a 3pm kick-off. Stansfeld are away at Lordswood at the same time. Bermondsey host Staplehurst Monarchs at St Paul’s, also at 3pm.
The current period relates to removing restrictions on their current site. Dulwich said there had been “confusion” over why this consultation period was needed. The club provided an explanation in their latest statement on the process. “Our current Champion Hill stadium site is protected for us and for sports and those protections are defined in agreements from 1990 and 2003,” the club said. “The new site which overlaps with the current site will be similarly protected under a new agreement, this is [Southwark] Council’s way of always ensuring that there is a home for Dulwich Hamlet FC and for sporting provision at Champion Hill. However, to allow development and construction on the new stadium to take place the protections on the current site need to be removed during the build period and that is what this application stage seeks to make happen. “To address your questions about why if this is a simple step in the process we need a public consultation I would like to express again our thanks to the officers at Southwark Council for their diligence. Throughout this process those that oppose the application that will secure the future of the club have sought to misinform, block, delay and challenge at every step ignoring the overwhelming community support, independent approvals and even the recent dismissal by a Judge of their latest claims. So, whilst it takes more time, it is important that a correct and comprehensive process is followed at every step to reduce the risk posed by those individuals. “This is a critical month for the club. If we can get through these final few steps the work can begin on delivering not only the long-term home for Dulwich Hamlet Football Club but also the huge increase in sporting provision for the local community and help us deliver local clean up and regeneration efforts. “We will provide another update as things progress with both the consultation period and our parallel process to work with the current and prospective owners of the site to manage the period of transition from the current stadium to the new stadium. “Thank you for your questions, your support and your interest in our club and our community.”
