Kedwell makes instant impact on Hawks return in home victory over Dulwich Hamlet

The 37-year-old striker was initially due to start on the bench after rejoining the club last weekend following a stint with three divisions lower Hollands & Blair.

But with Tommy Wright having been ill the day before, Kedwell was thrust back into National League South action from the start.

And he provided a crucial moment as Hawks survived the shock of conceding first to hit back and win 3-1 on a truly filthy evening of driving rain and strong winds.

It was Kedwell’s shot that resulted in a Dulwich own goal which gave Hawks the lead right on the stroke of half-time. And from that moment on there was only going to be one winner ...

Boss Paul Doswell made three changes to the starting XI that had beaten Cray Valley in Sunday’s FA Cup first round tie at the same ground.

Midfielder Billy Clifford was back after suspension, in place of Godfrey Poku, with Kedwell in for Wright and Craig Robson part of a five-man defence.

With George Mclennan having recovered from his Achilles problem to start at left wing-back, that meant Roarie Deacon was on the bench for the first time in 2020/21.

After a quiet opening, Moussa Diarra headed wide from a Josh Taylor free-kick before the latter shot wide.

It was against the run of play when Dulwich - arriving with just two draws from four league games, and just five wins in their last 33 NLS fixtures - took a 21st minute lead.

Striker Dean Moore latched onto a long ball delivered into the left-hand channel to poke his shot past the onrushing Ross Worner from just inside the penalty area.

It was to be one of the very few times in the 90 minutes that the south London club would worry their hosts.

Hawks were level within six minutes. Joe Iaciofano had a shot blocked, Dulwich failed to clear the ball and Sam Magri was found unmarked on the left-hand side to sidefoot in from close range.

Kedwell saw a shot blocked and Iaciofano shot low at keeper Charlie Grainger before Hawks took the lead just before half-time.

There was an element of good fortune as Kedwell’s low shot was parried by Grainger, but the ball hit Dulwich’s Jordan Agahatise and rolled into an empty net.

You got the feeling that an early goal in the second half would be enough against a Dulwich side who rarely threatened.

Magri saw a header cleared off the line, before Mclennan - who looks an impressive addition to the Hawks ranks - had an effort deflected for a corner.

The hosts finally grabbed a third goal on 74 minutes when Robson - captain on the night - crowned an impressive display with a fine header from Taylor’s corner.

Hawks fashioned a couple more half-chances, Grainger saving with his legs after Iaciofano had shrugged off two challengers to get a shot in and Wright firing wide after Poku had won possession with a high press.

This was only Hawks’ fourth league game of the season, and they entered the game down in 16th position (out of 21 teams).

Victory took them up six places, and still with games in hand on most of the teams above them.

They now have the same points, from the same game, as Oxford City - this Saturday’s visitors to Westleigh Park.

Hawks: Worner, Read, Mclennan (Straker, 76), Diarra, Magri, Robson, Taylor, Gomis (Poku, 69), Clifford, Kedwell, Iaciofano (Wright, 79).

Dulwich: Grainger, Ming, Masampu (McGregor, 62), Taylor, Debrah, Agahatise, Clayden, Timlin, Moore, Hyde, Allassani (Balarabe, 75).