The first day of a new year and having taken my son upto central London to travel home after a busy Christmas and new year, I headed over to the Bauvill to watch the Isthmian League fixture between Chatham Town and Dulwich Hamlet. There was a huge crowd in for today’s Bank Holiday fixture, with 2588 making it to the Bauvill Stadium.

Chatham Town, managed by Kevin Hake, came into today’s game in second place in the Isthmian League, Premier Division. They at, at kick off, were still six points behind the leaders, Hornchurch, but having played two games more, even despite being the first side to beat the league leaders, in last month’s 2-0 victory at the Bauvill. Chatham’s goals have flowed readily this season, with Jack Evans and Jamie Yila scoring ten goals and Ashley Nzala bagging eight. Hake has achieved wonders with his side newly promoted as champions, from the Isthmian South East Division in 2023.

Dulwich Hamlet, managed this season by Hakan Hayrettin, who managed Maidstone United to the National League South title in 2022, have secured a mid table position (tenth), which keeps them within sight of the play offs, as they aim to return to the National League South at the first attempt, following their relegation last season. Goals for Dulwich Hamlet, have been harder to source, with their leading scorers before today’s game, being Luke Wanadio (11 goals) and Michael Chambers, Danny Mills and Ryley Scott (All 5 goals).

The first half was played at pace, with Chatham Town, orchestrated from the back by Reece Butler, and with Jack Evans a pivot in the centre of the park, having much of the early possession.

Neither side could find the final ball required to break the deadlock but as the half wore on, Dulwich Hamlet’s Adrian Clifton and Luke Wanadio created half chances, to remind Chatham Town how dangerous the visitors could still be.

At the break, the sides went in with the scores still tied at 0-0. The points were all there to win and either side could still claim it.

After the restart Dulwich Hamlet went ahead when, in the 53rd minute, Manny Parry headed home from a corner, to stun the home fans into silence.

Just seven minutes later, in the 60th minute, the scores were level again, when Chatham Town’s Chris Dickson sprung the off side trap, to poach an equaliser and make it 1-1.

Both sides had chances to score the all important deciding goal but in added time, with the referee about to blow for the end of the game, it was Chatham Town who stole all three points. Reece Butler was in the six yard box to tap home, making it 2-1, after Ben Allen’s long throw had caused problems in the Dulwich Hamlet defence.

At full time it was Chatham Town who moved closer to the league leaders and who still look the most likely to join Hornchurch in the battle for top spot this season. Kevin Hake would have been pleased with the resilience his Chatham side showed today.