Thamesmead Town’s stuttering start to their Ryman Premier debut season continued as they were beaten by a Dulwich Hamlet side who stayed within three points of the Divisions early season pacesetters at the top of the table.

On a damp Wednesday evening at Sporting Club Thamesmead, it was the South London club who came out on top as the Mead once again were punished by defensive frailties and mistakes.

Dulwich started brightly with both Nyren Clunis and Marcel Henry-Francis going close early on before after only 12 minutes they were ahead.

In Erhum Oztumer, Dulwich have a midfield playmaker who will earn plaudits throughout the League and certainly rain this game in the Thamesmead rain.

Faced with a 25 yard free kick, Oztumer curled a delightful kick which left Rob Budd motionless as the ball smacked off the face of the bar before rebounding to full back Mathieu Boyer who drilled a shot beyond Budd in off the left post. The home side rallied quickly and Jon Main curled a free kick round the wall which keeper Phil Wilson did well to palm aside.

That was after 16 minutes – sadly for the home side, the visitors doubled their lead with a goal that really sums up the start to the start of Thamesmead’s life in the higher division.

A home corner was cleared to Oztumer who sprinted away down the left wing before rolling a delightful ball inside to Henry-Francis who didn’t break stride as he rifled in a terrific second for Dulwich as he shot beyond Budd’s out stretched left hand.

Full credit to the home side as they responded well and were back in the game within eight minutes. After 25 minutes, Jack Hopkins made space down the right hand side before delivering the perfect cross which a diving Jon Main met to glance his header wide of Wilson in the Dulwich goal.

Then just before half time, Budd kept the home side in the game as he made a fine save to deny Kevin James’ free kick for Dulwich which the keeper moved smartly to palm away.

The second half began with chances for both sides as first Oztumer set up Henry-Francis but he dragged his shot wide before the debut making Uche Ibemere had a shot for the home side which keeper Wilson held comfortably.

What proved to be the decisive goal in the contest arrived ten minutes into the half – and was a horror show for keeper Budd. Henry-Francis broke away and drove in a low shot from the edge of the box which somehow eluded the keepers grasp and nestled in the back of the net.

Sadly for the home side, despite a couple of later introductions up front, a second goal that would have given Keith McMahon’s side a life line just wouldn’t come as McMahon’s side continued their very steep learning curve, and it was Dulwich who continued to carry the threat in front of goal as the ever dangerous Oztumer forced Budd into a good low save.

Saturday sees the Mead leave the stresses of the Ryman League behind as they enter the FA Cup – though that said their opponents (Ryman One South side Redhill) will provide McMahon’s charges their own set of problems!

THAMESMEAD – Rob Budd, Jack Hopkins, Jay Porter, Dean Pennant (Rob Carter 70), Lewis Tozer, James Donovan, Sean Roberts, Danny Phillips, Uche Ibemere, Jon Main (Michael Power 76), Theo Fairweather Johnson.

Subs not used – John Scarborough, Antone Douglas & Sam Corne.

DULWICH – Phil Wilson, Mathieu Boyer, Ahmed Dean, Billy Crook, Mark Anthony Okoye, Lewis Gonsalves (Peter Adeniyi 76), Nyren Clunis, Kevin James (Xavier Vidal 59), Marcel Henry-Francis (Ian Daly 73), Erthun Oztumer, Ellis Green.

Subs not used – Ethan Pinnock & Abdul Mansaray.

Referee – Mr Kaye
Assistants – Mr Myatt & Mr Whittaker