Dulwich Hamlet boss Gavin Rose praised his team’s “aggressive” performance following their disappointing loss to Metropolitan Police last Tuesday. Non-league rivals Brentwood Town were on the receiving end of a 4-0 thrashing on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Calum Willock, Dulwich new boy Dan Sweeney and a brace from skipper Danny Waldren (pictured in possession for Hamlet below).
The away team endured a torrid time up front thanks to Mitchell Nelson’s and Jordan Brown’s rugged defending. Slick passing and a relentless wave of Dulwich attacks dismantled the Essex side, coached by former Wimbledon and Bolton striker Dean Holdsworth.
“We were very good at times on Saturday and aggressive in the way we played”, said Rose. “I thought our back four were solid and we didn’t look like we were going to be tested or beaten. We passed the ball forward a lot quicker than we have been and always looked a threat. We probably could have come away more than one goal to the good in the first half. In the second half their legs tired a little bit and we capitalised on that. We seemed to get a bit stronger as the game went on which was pleasing.”
Brentwood stopper Jack Norton, who pulled off a few impressive saves, kept the Pink and Blues at Bay for most of the first half at Champion Hill. A goal from Danny Waldren eventually broke the deadlock in the forty-second minute of the game.
Hamlet upped the ante after half time with Ashley Carew, Dan Sweeney and Calum Willock moving the ball more swiftly in midfield and the final third. The home side made their dominance in possession count with three goals in the space of 20 minutes in the second half. Rose hailed the influence of Danny Waldren and impact of new signing Dan Sweeney who scored his third goal in his third game for the club.
“Dan Sweeney has had a big impact in our team”, said Rose. “While he is good on the ball, he’s got some things he needs to get better at, but he’s in a really good place and I can see him improving. As for Danny (Waldren), he’s got good calibre in non-league football and he’s starting to show everyone why with his leadership and work ethic for the team.
“This year because we have more senior players in the side, people have tipped us as promotion contenders. But over the past couple of years we have always been confident as a squad and nothing has really changed with our mentality.”
Hampton and Richmond are up next for Dulwich. Rose is expecting his team to face a tough away encounter against a side who are currently seventh in the Ryman Premier table. A Hamlet win this evening will see them move to top spot ahead of Leiston who are due to face Kingstonian this weekend.
“It was a good three points against Brentwood and tonight we have a tougher battle to face”, said Rose “Hampton are a progressive team in the league, they look very strong and have signed some good players. They have decent form at home and we know it will be a tough place to go to, but we are going to try and get the win.”
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