Dulwich Hamlet 1, Burgess Hill Town 1: Keehan volley helps claim point for Hillians

Dulwich started well and the Hillians goal was under pressure in the first 10 mins without any clear chances. A shot dragged wide and an Ashley Carew free kick were the only threat to Josh James’s goal until McDonald had a 24th minute effort blocked by Pearson.

This seem to ‘spur’ on the Hillians and a Lee Harding cross from the right saw a poor defensive header being met by on the volley by Joe Keehan whose and flew into the bottom corner with the keeper, Preston Edwards, ‘rooted’ to his line.

This setback took Dulwich out of their stride and the rest of the half saw the home side thwarted by a back four who were determined to keep a clean sheet.

Hillians began the second half well with Chris Smith working tirelessly upfront and with Budd and Fraser playing with intelligence the bumper home crowd were silenced and were becoming anxious.

With this the home side played more ‘direct’ and wasted two good half chances and Josh James made a good save to deny Nyren Clunis. A few minutes later Clunis had his shot blocked again by the impressive Andy Pearson and a minute later Chris Smith blasted over at the other end after a fine through ball by Darren Budd.

A good save by Josh James from another Carew free kick saw Hillians counter attack and Pat Harding’s effort was too high to trouble Edwards. Another Carew free kick was deflected wide and McDonald forced a good low save from James as Dulwich pushed for a goal.

Dulwich made substitutions to try to find a way back into the game and it was one of the substitutes that provided the equaliser.

Ashley Carew delivered a cross from the left and Ryan Moss rose to head it home. Hillians boss Ian Chapman then made two substitutions with Overton and Kirkwood replacing Smith and Budd. The ‘fresh legs’ seem to have a positive effect for the Hillians, and went close on a couple of occasions to grabbing a winner and may have had a penalty when Lee Harding’s ‘mazy’ run was ended in the box by a challenge by a Dulwich defender that saw Lee go to ground but was deemed fair tackle by the referee.

Unfortunately, Lee was booked for simulation which looked a harsh decision on the young full back.

Burgess Hill: James, L Harding, Fisk, Budd, Pearson, Miles, Pearse, Keehan, P Harding, Smith, Fraser

Subs Used: Overton, Kirkwood

Not Used: Gargan, Doherty and Rowe – Hurst

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