Faversham’s chase for a Ryman One South playoff place is still in their own hands after a 2-0 defeat at Salter’s Lane against title contenders Dulwich Hamlet. 
But, it was a far easier game than the visitors could have expected, as Faversham had little in reply to Dulwich’s controlled football, pace and movement.
Ellis Green’s 14th minute opener had a hint of good fortune about it; taking a horrible bounce that meant Simon Overland’s dive could only push the ball into the roof of his net. Dulwich mainly restricted their hosts to long range efforts and, having always looked dangerous on the counter-attack, sealed their win with two minutes left through Xavier Vidal’s 25-yard drive into the top corner that left Overland motionless.
Throughout the first half, Dulwich played the style of football that has seen them reach the summit of the Ryman One South table; using wingers Dean Lodge and Ellis Green, who tormented the Faversham fullbacks, fed by the hard-working midfield trio of Erhan Oztumer, Kevin James and Xavier Vidal. Time and again, Lodge found space behind Jamie Maxted and created the first real chance, driving a low cross through the six-yard box, that Connor French – in for the injured Liverpool trialist, Daniel Carr – couldn’t latch onto.
On the other side, Green preferred cutting inside Aaron Lacy, and the second time he did so led to the opening goal. Having beaten the fullback, Green early shot appeared to be well within the reach of Overland, but a crazy bounce off the hard surface meant the keeper’s parry found the top corner.
Green drew a save from Overland on Dulwich’s next attack as the visitors were imposing themselves on the Faversham midfield, but the game was being broken up by frequent injuries. This allowed Faversham to gain a foothold, and leading scorer Luke Harvey fired over the bar from 30-yards with their first clear chance.
The diminutive Turkish midfielder Oztumer curled a weak freekick at Overland; although the Dulwich players had been appealing desperately for a penalty as Matt Bourne upended Lodge on the edge of the box. Then from a free kick of their own, Faversham’s David Botterill forced Chico Ramos into a flying save, tipping the midfielder’s effort over the bar.
Lodge had the last chance of the first half, curling an effort wide of Overland’s right post after Dulwich had broken quickly with Faversham short of numbers at the back.
The introduction of Renford Tenyue at the interval gave Faversham a more direct approach in the second half; Tenyue’s pace allowing the option of the ball over Dulwich’s back four, and his presence allowing Harvey more freedom. Faversham, though, rarely tested the experienced Peter Adeniyi and Lewis Gonsalves, as one or the other was always on hand to break up the home side’s attacks.
Just after the hour, Faversham did exert a period of pressure, with three consecutive corners, leading to a long shot from Daniel Lawrence, but all too often Faversham’s set pieces ended up in Ramos’ arms.
Happy to sit back and hit on the counter-attack, Dulwich substitute Nyren Clunis outpaced Maxted and, driving into the area, hammered a cross into the six-yard box that bounced off French and was blocked by Overland’s body. Green’s follow-up hit the outstretched leg of Ashley Brown and flew to safety.
Faversham’s last chance came from a Lacy long throw, that Danny Hockton headed over, although the Faversham replacement was impeded by Bourne, so unable to make a clean contact.
Dulwich sealed the game with two minutes of normal time remaining, from a flowing move that crossed the field from the right wing to the left. The ball was rolled into the path of Vidal just outside the ‘D’, and the midfielder’s first time strike arrowed into the top corner of the goal; a shot that left Overland looking on helplessly.
The result keeps Dulwich in second place, hot on the heels of Maidstone United, who are Faversham’s next opponents. For the Lillywhite’s though, the defeat drops them to fourth, still four points clear of sixth placed Folkestone Invicta. But, even with league leaders Maidstone and playoff chasing Leatherhead and Crawley Down Gatwick to come in their last four games, it is unlikely they will have a harder afternoon.
FAVERSHAM TOWN: Simon Overland, Aaron Lacy, Jamie Maxted, Toby Ashmore (Danny Hockton 83), Matt Bourne, Ashley Brown, Darren Marsden, Daniel Lawrence, Keiran Oliver (Renford Tenyue 46), Luke Harvey, David Botterill.
Subs: Aiden Sherlock, James Peacock, Wesley Miller.
Bookings: Jamie Maxted 18, Matt Bourne 37.
DULWICH HAMLET: Chico Ramos, Luke Hickie, Ahmed Deen, Xavier Vidal, Peter Adeniyi, Lewis Gonsalves, Dean Lodge (Nyren Clunis 68), Kevin James (Ethan Pinnock 68), Connor French (Junior Kadi 83), Erhan Oztumer, Ellis Green.
Subs: Matteio Boyer, Junior James.
Goals: Ellis Green 14, Xavier Vidal 88.
Booking: Ellis Green 52.
Referee: Mr J Lengthorn
Assistants: Mr S Idris and Mr P Kulip