Dulwich Hamlet 1-1 Hendon (4-3 pens), Monday 7th May 2018

Dulwich Hamlet 1-1 Hendon, AET (4-3 on pens) Bostik (Isthmian) League play-off final (att. 3,321)

‘You know it’s true, South London’s pink and blue’

Small queues...cos everyone's already in.

What a day, what an atmosphere. Dulwich Hamlet, spurred on by the heartbreak of missing out on top spot, and the anger of being locked out of their own stadium by merciless landlords, go on to rightfully gain a place in the National League South after a an energy-sapping slog in the extreme heat of the KNK Stadium, Mitcham. How the players (of both sides) managed in that heat, I’ll never know. I was getting a headache merely stood still and with my sunhat on, and a bottle of water to hand.

A packed home end.

Having visited Tooting and Mitcham FC via public transport the other week, I thought it so much easier to cycle there from Peckham, even if it would mean leaving my pink and blue scarf behind. It was quite a pleasant cycle ride too, courtesy of Google’s route finder for bikes. Once past Brixton, much of it seemed to be via parks and grassland full of half-naked members of both sexes. Something for everyone.

One lady's method of sun protection.

I timed it well too, getting to the ground with about 10 mins to kick off. The turnstiles were surprisingly not too busy, as everyone else got there early to ensure their space. Indeed, over 3,000 turned up, a stadium record the announcer told us later. I was probably quite lucky to get in, given the listed capacity is 3,500. The crowd was 200 and odd the other week for soon-to-be-relegated Tooting. What a difference.

While a gentleman whacks on the sun lotion.

I like Imperial Fields. There’s two decent sized terraces at either end, with cover in the middle of each. What Hamlet would do for two ends like this. What Hamlet would do for their own ground in present circumstances. Here’s a very brief summary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43307301 The Main Stand is cantilevered and tall , while the 4th side doesn’t really have a terrace, save for a couple of old railway sleepers.

Panorama from the Hendon end, 1st half.

The end nearest the turnstiles was chocker with Hamlet fans, a sea of pink and blue, with banners covering the home support as the teams came out. I walked around the perimeter for a decent view and ended up at the far end, in amongst the Hendon support. What I was really looking for was some shade, cos there was no way I could take this heat. I nearly got what I was looking for, but I was ideally placed to take advantage of the changing of ends at half time...

Hamlet fans pre-match.

Hendon took the lead after 36 minutes, Ashley Nathaniel-George cutting inside to bobble a 20 yarder under a complacent keeper. Were Dulwich heading for a 3rd successive play-off defeat, despite finishing 10 points ahead of Hendon in the league season actual? No worries, as it turns out, though the keeper made a tremendous save, low to his left, preventing 0-2. At the other end, Reise Allassani was a right handful, taking defenders on, getting shots off. The sweetest move of the match had Hamlet play the ball out left, then to the right, and returned for Allassani on the left to bring a smart save from the keeper.

The home end awaiting kick-off.

Half time came, and most fans changed ends. I used to love doing this at Feethams, home of the mighty Quakers, but in modern football I don’t think it happens beyond non-league. Still, due to the bottleneck of a two-step longside ‘terrace’, Hamlet fans took things into their own hands and simply walked down the pitch. That’s the spirit!

Half time and fans streak across the pitch (not literally).

Second half, I was worried the temperatures would hinder the Hamlet. Not a bit of it (the 1st 15, anyway) as the pink and blues took the game to the greens. One shot was cleared off the line, another crashed the bar, but Hamlet weren’t to be denied and a scramble brought the equaliser from Tomlin, forcing the ball in from close range. That 5 minute period could have seen Hamlet out of sight, but Hendon hung in there.

Hendon fans.

And that was about it, till extra time and penalties. In the latter 60 minutes (!), Dulwich hammered another off the bar, but otherwise, nought happened. Did I say how hot it was? I’ll give you a clue: players kicking the ball left a cloud of dust. Imperial Fields doesn’t appear to have undersoil sprinklers (yet).

Penalties, and I was really hoping they’d be at ‘our’ end. Does the ref ‘toss’ for things like this? I presume so, and a steward came running towards us, signalling (celebrating) that it was, indeed, to be at our end.

Penalties.  Come on you Pink and Blues!

Hendon went one up. Boooooo. Hamlet equalised, then Hendon missed two in a row. Easy life. Still, Hamlet tried to make it interesting, missing one of their own, before Akinyemi hit the winner. 4-3, and absolute mayhem. Having seen Stoke City and Barnsley get relegated in the last two days, it was great to see some genuine joy as fans invaded the pitch and jumped around with the players, before a convoluted winners’ presentation (‘can everyone please move back another 10 yards’). Well done Hendon, tremendous battle. Well done Hamlet, PROMOTED!!!!!!!!!!

See you in the Conference South. As one placard read ‘To Truro and beyond’. Now, if Hamlet can only return to Champion Hill….it’d knock 35 minutes off my cycle ride!

The Damage: £10 ent

The Tunes: 
Song For Alpha (Daniel Avery)
Mixmag Jan '08 (Simian Mobile Disco)

The winning penalty and celebration:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey8wCIUpcqM

Pitch invasion awaiting the medal ceremony.

Panorama upon entry.

Panorama from the halfway line.

The players pre-match meet 'n' greet.

The Main Stand...no room at the inn.

Hendon's green and white St. George.

Indeed.

Don't be confused, the fans are Hendon's.

Hamlet strike a penalty home.

Some supporters find some shade after the match.

Players and fans celebrate promotion.

Terrace detritus.

Promotion secured, smoke bombs are lit.