Hamlet Rocked In Stunning Second Half - Bognor Regis Town vs. Dulwich Hamlet

The Nyewood Lane pitch in fantastic condition despite the earlier heavy rain

For the first time this season, the weather played havoc with the fixtures but fortunately my choice of Bognor Regis vs. Dulwich in The Ryman Premier League was never in doubt. This despite an incredibly heavy shower (which completely soaked me and nearly blew me in to The English Channel) a couple of hours before kick off. Both sides were having good seasons with Bognor sitting just outside the play offs and the visitors in second place just behind Maidstone. These two sides met in the Ryman South play off final a couple of seasons ago with The Rocks coming out on top that time. Last season I also saw Dulwich on the Sussex coast at Eastbourne Town where they lost two nil. 

Pre kick off huddles

Bognor create the first shooting opportunity in an uneventful start to the game and the chance is spooned well over the bar. Dulwich have a lot of the ball in the opening stages of the first half yet they fail to test the Bognor keeper. The Bognor winger then gets to the byline and drives the ball in to the area and unfortunately no one get a clean touch on the ball. It is the home who are creating the bulk of the chances and the Dulwich keeper makes a good double save to keep his side of level terms. Dulwich then create their first half chance as a dangerous cross is put in to the box but again no one can get the killer touch.

Covered standing down one side of the pitch.

Dulwich continue to have a lot of the ball in the second half and they create several decent chances at the start of the half. Firstly the Bognor centre back gives the ball away but his mistake goes unpunished. Shortly afterwards the Dulwich winger finds space following a short corner but as there is a lack of height in the Dulwich team, no one gets near the ball. The visitors are punished for not taking theses chances as Bognor score on the break after a Dulwich move breaks down. Dulwich come close to an equaliser as the forward is played and he puts the chance just wide. The away side equalise with an almost identical move and remarkably do the same move for a third time to put themselves in to a 2-1 lead. As the game goes in to the final ten minutes the ball is played across the Dulwich goal and the Bognor forward is pulled back by a defender who is sent off. The penalty is hammered home and Bognor sense they can go for the win. With a minute or so left the Bognor midfielder slams in a long range effort which the Dulwich keeper can't keep hold of the ball and the rebound is put in to the net from close range to send the home supporters barmy. In injury time Bognor add a fourth as they break and the forward puts the ball home with a neat finish at the back post.

A Dulwich move breaks down in the first half

The journey from London to Bognor Regis takes around an hour and forty five minutes and trains depart from London Victoria on a regular basis. The ground is about a fifteen minute walk away from the station. Before the game I ventured to sea front for fish and chips at The Beach Restaurant just by the pier. From the pier I walked to The Waverley which was good for a beer while looking out to sea. From here it is a short walk along Nyewood Lane to the ground. The clubhouse is quite large and had Sky Sports. One thing I wished I'd known about previously is that you get breakfast and a pint for six quid which is more than decent. Right next to the Station is the er The Station which is good for a pint if your train is cancelled.

A very good full colour was produced by Bognor. It included the usual match reports and team histories and also a good set of league stats.

Numerous sets of covered accommodation along the other side of the pitch.