Dulwich Hamlet v Charlton Athletic XI, Sat 18 July 3pm

[Thimble Queen]

754 is pretty good tbf especially as a lot of people were off at the Country Show.

Came here to say the same thing!

 

[Pink Panther]

754 according to FWP. Didn't seem like that many to me.

I gauged it as 700+, so sounds fairly accurate to me. Doesn't really matter why there weren't more there. People were probably not expecting so many of Charlton's regular players to turn out when they had another fixture against a much bigger team at the same time, and a lot of people don't do these games anyway either becasue they've got other things to do on a nice sunny Saturday or because the multiple substitutions element renders the proceedings more of a training exercise than a true contest.

Very encouraging Hamlet performance, but we simply couldn't match Charlton's deadly finishing. If the scorer of the first goal was lined up to play for Staines this season I certainly hope Chalton take him - I don't want to be facing that in league matches! The second by Jackson was a worldy, similar to Ashley Carew's goal in the Hampton home game last season - a measured first time shot, but from the other side with his other foot and from longer range. The (non) penalty decision just before their first goal, when Erskine was wrestled to the floor by Bikey a yard inside the box was awful. You couldn't really see a much more obvious foul. Bikey is built liek a rugby forward and was holding his man every single time. In a league match I'd like to think he'd have been booked for persistent foul play before half time. That's the trouble with these friendlies against league sides - every time you beat the man with the ball it's a niggly foul, shirtpulling, ankle tapping. It was the same against Dagenham, but because it's a friendly no one gets booked for it. Both their centre backs were even kicking the ball away when we were awarded a free kick. Obviously you get that in our league too, but not with quite the same relentless endemic cynicism.

That referee Ian Bentley has plagued us with his erratic performances for twenty years now. (I first recall him taking charge of an FA Cup tie at home to Chatham in 1995, when he still had hair!) He eventually awarded us a penalty for a rash challenge on Scannell, but by then we were 0-3 down. Superbly taken goal by young Jamie Mascoll for our second.

It's clear that our starting XI is what Gavin sees as his first choice, as we've used that unit for a large chunk in every game so far, barring variations in the goalkeeper.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

It's clear that our starting XI is what Gavin sees as his first choice, as we've used that unit for a large chunk in every game so far, barring variations in the goalkeeper.

I think it's really encouraging that the team seems to have been put in place so quickly this year. Normally for the first few weeks players are still coming and going but it looks like this year they'll start having already had a decent chance to play together.

I'd guess that's why Steve Sutherland has apparently gone already though - it looks like Pinnock and Drage are already pretty set as first choice centre backs.

 

[pettyboy]

Thought we played well and I think there's a real confidence growing around the place that this side can genuinely compete for the title this season. Shame Charlton didn't really advertise this fixture - I looked on the website before the game and I couldn't find a mention of it. Disappointing really: think the crowd could easily have been twice the size if there'd been a bit more coverage.

Charlton brought multiple big boys - French International Alou Diarra, Andre Bikey, Johnnie Jackson, Igor [insert his impronouncable surname here] - along with a few kids that have been around the first team, e.g. Zak Ansah (cousin of our former striker Charlie Taylor). I thought we gave them a very good test today and remained competitive throughout. Again, we weren't full strength: Charlie Penny was involved in fitness exercises before the game, Dean Lodge was absent and I understand that Steve Sutherland has left to join an unnamed team to take up a coaching role. I'm beginning to assume that McCoulsky has moved on to pastures new too given his absence from all the friendlies so far. Really good to see Jack Dixon playing again though; he got a few minutes towards the end of the second half.

Agree with the Charlton supporter above regarding our right back, Mitchell Nelson. Think he's been our stand out player for the last few games. Defensively solid and bullish going forward, I don't think he shows any real weaknesses. I though it odd when we released Abnett, who I thought was a fairly decent full back, but this guy is definitely an improvement.

Few bits to iron out: Carew still looks defensively iffy, a lot of attacks come down our left flank and Scannell and Jarrett look a little sluggish when required to defend, but I'm being picky and I'm sure the next four games where we play teams from lower divisions will give us a good opportunity to really fine tune what already looks like a fairly fluid, coherent team.

Pinnock and Drage look like a brilliant partnership too. I've deliberately watched Drage for the last few games and he's been bordering on flawless. For someone so composed at the back its hard to believe he's only 22. Genuinely wouldn't be surprised if some pro clubs are looking at him.

Nice to see Osman Proni come on for the final few minutes as well. He's out Gav's academy and whenever I've seen him play he looks very comfortable on the ball in the middle of the pitch. Looks to be a very classy player.

A good performance. An impressive pre seasom continues.

McCoulsky was in the club house after the game. Perhaps he's injured?

 

[EDC]

That was a pretty good crowd. 100 Charlton would be about right, I did see quite a few around the ground as well as the three behind the goal in the second half.

 

[bromley]

That was a pretty good crowd. 100 Charlton would be about right, I did see quite a few around the ground as well as the three behind the goal in the second half.

I would be one of those 3!

I think everyone behind that goal was a Charlton fan, apart from the child in the Arsenal shirt!

 

[StephenMac]

I'd assumed the bloke who scored the first Charlton goal was one of their first teamers. It would be ridiculous if he's playing for Staines this season.

 

[iamwithnail]

I would be one of those 3!

I think everyone behind that goal was a Charlton fan, apart from the child in the Arsenal shirt!

Hahah, I remember seeing that kid and thinking it was odd. No way I'd take a kid to a football match wearing a shirt that was nothing to do with either team, even if it was 'just' non-league.

 

[clog]

I reckon we bought 3 figures to an away reserve team game at ticket prices that West Ham charged for a Europa League qualifier. Perhaps they were harder to spot as we don't wear scarfs in July.

You were probably all sitting down enjoying the palatial stand

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

I reckon we bought 3 figures to an away reserve team game at ticket prices that West Ham charged for a Europa League qualifier. Perhaps they were harder to spot as we don't wear scarfs in July.

Yes, I'd agree you'd brought a hundred, not too bad, for a not very well publicised pre-season. As for your accusation of the crowd not being big, & the tickets being as expensive as west ham...cheap comments, which I will take the bait to & respond to...
A crowd of over 750 for a pre-season in a game that was billed as against your development squad isn't bad at all. In fact our average crowd last season was just over a thousand so to pull in nearly three quarters of that for a friendly against a local reserve side is none too shabby.
As for west ham's ticket prices...well they can afford to have tickets so cheap, as they needed to fill their ground, if they had had their ordinary Premier League pricing in place then they would have barely made five figures gate wise. Big London clubs like them can afford to subsidise ticket prices that way..and will still make a huge amount on merchandise/food/etc from fans who will spend more, as it's a rare visit for them, as can rarely afford 'normal' inflated Upton Park prices.
Non league clubs such as ourselves still have to pay the same bills, and every penny is vital, which is why we charge our normal ten pounds for admission for pre-season games.
We DO however include our pre-season games in our season tickets, so it won't inconvenience our most loyal fans, & we have over 180 season ticket holders for the new season at last count.
We also let in all under 12s FREE.
AND have the cheapest & widest ranging concessions in the Ryman League Premier Division. £4 is our deliberately cheap concession price, a saving of 60% on the adult admission. And this is for all 12 to 18 year olds (upped from 16, last season); Over 60s (a number of clubs only let in over 65s cheaper, & one club charges full price for senior citizens); Unwaged; Adult students; the three 'blue light services', as well as serving armed forces; as well as local NHS workers.
We also target many local organisations for 'one off' free ticket offers, many of whom return for other games.
We try to reach out to our local community, and make our football affordable & welcoming for all. If we have to charge £10 for adults who are working to attend a pre-season game to help 'subsidise' this then so be it...we can't all have multi-million pound subsidies from the television companies, like west ham united do, to cover our 'losses'.

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

754 according to FWP. Didn't seem like that many to me.

It looked like that to me...and Griff, who does the gate, calculated it...

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

754 is pretty good tbf especially as a lot of people were off at the Country Show.

The Lambeth Country Show on the Saturday, or Dulwich Hamlet at home?
The Country Show was on the Sunday as well..FFS!

 

[B.I.G]

Yes, I'd agree you'd brought a hundred, not too bad, for a not very well publicised pre-season. As for your accusation of the crowd not being big, & the tickets being as expensive as west ham...cheap comments, which I will take the bait to & respond to...
A crowd of over 750 for a pre-season in a game that was billed as against your development squad isn't bad at all. In fact our average crowd last season was just over a thousand so to pull in nearly three quarters of that for a friendly against a local reserve side is none too shabby.
As for west ham's ticket prices...well they can afford to have tickets so cheap, as they needed to fill their ground, if they had had their ordinary Premier League pricing in place then they would have barely made five figures gate wise. Big London clubs like them can afford to subsidise ticket prices that way..and will still make a huge amount on merchandise/food/etc from fans who will spend more, as it's a rare visit for them, as can rarely afford 'normal' inflated Upton Park prices.
Non league clubs such as ourselves still have to pay the same bills, and every penny is vital, which is why we charge our normal ten pounds for admission for pre-season games.
We DO however include our pre-season games in our season tickets, so it won't inconvenience our most loyal fans, & we have over 180 season ticket holders for the new season at last count.
We also let in all under 12s FREE.
AND have the cheapest & widest ranging concessions in the Ryman League Premier Division. £4 is our deliberately cheap concession price, a saving of 60% on the adult admission. And this is for all 12 to 18 year olds (upped from 16, last season); Over 60s (a number of clubs only let in over 65s cheaper, & one club charges full price for senior citizens); Unwaged; Adult students; the three 'blue light services', as well as serving armed forces; as well as local NHS workers.
We also target many local organisations for 'one off' free ticket offers, many of whom return for other games.
We try to reach out to our local community, and make our football affordable & welcoming for all. If we have to charge £10 for adults who are working to attend a pre-season game to help 'subsidise' this then so be it...we can't all have multi-million pound subsidies from the television companies, like west ham united do, to cover our 'losses'.

Is the one club Aveley?

 

[Dulwich Mishi]

No, as they're not in the Ryman Premier!

It's 'bitter' Bognor Regis Town.

 

[B.I.G]

Oh I was looking at ticket prices for Aveley because of our upcoming friendly and I did not see any concessions so they were on my mind.

Still - be warned old people and students!

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/aveley/a/admission-prices-41065.html

 

[Christian Burt]

Can only echo what's already been said before above re Mitchell Nelson - absolutely superb performance from him. Gave a few rockets to Ash Carew too, after some poor passing and tracking back.
Albert continually whizzed past his professional full back for fun, if he stays fit and healthy then every match I'll be pre-game buzzing. Got to love a winger who can beat his man on the outside.

McCoulsky was in the bar at half-time, so I assume he is still with us.

 

[bromley]

You were probably all sitting down enjoying the palatial stand

I was in the first half, stand was pretty packed. Moved behind the goal in for the second half, the joys of non-league!

My mates son (not in an arsenal shirt!) got in for free which was good of Hamlet. 750 wasn't too bad for a nothing game.

 

[pompeydunc]

754 is pretty good tbf especially as a lot of people were off at the Country Show.

Do we include total season ticket holders in attendance figure, whether they show up or not?

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Do we includ total season ticket holders in attendance figure, whether they show up or not?

Well I'd guess not or they wouldn't give out the little season ticket holder tickets as you go in. Could be wrong though.

 

[Pink Panther]

McCoulsky was in the club house after the game. Perhaps he's injured?

Kershaney Samuels was there too, even though Merstham were playing at Tooting!

 

[Jimbob73]

I was sitting next to a Charlton fan in the first half so there was at least one at the game, I'm not sure I'll ever be the same again.
I stood behind the goal for the second half and can be seen on the FtH tweet of Ash's penalty. I will be signing autographs at the next game.

 

[pompeydunc]

Kershaney Samuels was there too, even though Merstham were playing at Tooting!

Sadly it hasn't worked out for Kershaney at Merstham. He is currently unattached. He's a great guy and player, so hope he finds another club soon.

 

[Cyclodunc]

I think someone said Drage is a teacher

 

[Cyclodunc]

Nelson plays with a smile on his face

https://www.flickr.com/photos/blatez/19539712790/

 

[editor]

The rather late photos are here:

http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2015/07/...owly-lose-2-3-to-strong-charlton-athletic-xi/

 

[StephenMac]

Excellent focus on the Charlton keeper's melodramatic existence on the day. In his head he was playing in the Champions League Final at the Bernabeu.

 

[clog]

The rather late photos are here:

http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2015/07/...owly-lose-2-3-to-strong-charlton-athletic-xi/

Clearly visible hordes of Charlton fans behind the goal first half there....

 

[darryl]

Excellent focus on the Charlton keeper's melodramatic existence on the day. In his head he was playing in the Champions League Final at the Bernabeu.

He's second or third choice, so he may well have to get used to those fantasies...

It appears to be just me and the bins at the Charlton end in this shot.

 

[Cyclodunc]

find anything good?

 

[vicarofsibley]

find anything good?

Marlon King's morals.