Penalties saved, denied and scored

This weekend's Sir Bobby Robson National Football Day saw Dulwich Hamlet's first Ryman League Premier Division game for 12 years, against Lowestoft Town, the turf accountants' favourites for the championship. I have followed football at Premier Division level more recently, as, since Dulwich were relegated in 2001, Prescot Cables have been both promoted to and relegated from the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Lowestoft are known to some as the Trawler Boys, in recognition of the town's fishing industry. At the turn of the 20th century, railway companies issued fishworkers' tickets, from Scottish ports to Yorkshire and to Lowestoft, with a return about 6 months later. These were for skilled onshore fish workers following the boats as they worked down the coast during the herring fishing season. I am not sure whether this explains one of the visiting supporters' flags, proclaiming themselves as Yorkshire Blues.

Lowestoft were awarded a penalty in the first few minutes, which, if they had scored, may have given them confidence to dominate the game. However, a save by Phil Wilson ensured that advantages remained even.

Phil Wilson plays the ball as the chap behind him texts home about the saved penalty

I rarely capture a good picture of our own goalkeeper saving a penalty. Although it is one of the spectacles of the game, with the penalty taker and goalkeeper lined up against each other, the  other players on the edge of the penalty area usually get in the way.

This took place whilst I was still walking round to the end we were attacking. I took up position behind one of the flags, indicating that we are a South London club.

Spectators have a part in catching or retrieving balls that have gone out of play. Doing so without spilling your pint is a useful skill.

When Harry Ottaway was brought to ground in the penalty area, many of us looked to the match officials ...

... and I lowered the camera in anticipation of a penalty. This is a dangerous time for the attacking side: if the referee adjudges there was no foul, the defending side often take advantage of the lapse in attention to make a break. Fortunately, Ellis Green played to the whistle, and, when it did not sound, put the loose ball in the net. Not that I saw it, as I was still looking at the referee.

Ellis Green

As an aside, I wonder if Harry Ottaway is any relation to the first England captain, Cuthbert Ottaway (not a descendant, as Cuthbert had only one child, a daughter): it is after all not a common name.

Having seen a penalty against our side, and a denied appeal, the match provided a useful opportunity for the writer and photographer - a penalty awarded to us. Some people use continuous shooting mode for a penalty, but I forget which button to press, the kick would be taken by the time I had gone through the menu, and I have enough practice to shoot almost as quickly manually. I generally photograph from my normal position, rather than moving directly behind the goal. On this occasion I captured the sequence quite well, with Erhun Öztümer placing the ball (keeping a straight back, best practice even with something as light as a football) ...

... taking the kick, with a couple of defenders in the background getting ready for any rebound ...

... and the ball heading towards goal.

We can see Erhun has a head down style, concentrating on the ball, rather than looking up and trying to second guess the goalkeeper's movement - a sensible approach, the movement of the goalkeeper is a variable you cannot control, best to concentrate on getting a powerful shot on target, which you can.

This was the best possible start to the season for Dulwich, for team morale and crowd retention: a crowd of over 500 treated to a win over one of the favourites for the title, and a good collection in the 12th Man bucket, building funds for Gavin Rose to use to strengthen the squad later in the season, or offer a contract to a player attracting attention from Football League clubs, allowing the club to collect a fee if the player signs professional terms.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.