In photos: Cup dreams quashed as QPR crush Dulwich Hamlet by five goals to one, Tues 28th April 2026

Despite a valiant first half which saw Dulwich Hamlet take an early lead, QPR’s class and pedigree eventually shone through, with the visitors lifting the London Senior Cup after a …

Apr 29, 2026 - 12:06

Despite a valiant first half which saw Dulwich Hamlet take an early lead, QPR’s class and pedigree eventually shone through, with the visitors lifting the London Senior Cup after a 5-1 victory.

In photos: Cup dreams quashed as QPR crush Dulwich Hamlet by five goals to one, Tues 28th April 2026

On the Dulwich Hamlet forum, fans reflected on the cup final:

BD: Great first 20 mins, ok next 25, second half we just couldn’t catch a break.

5-1 was harsh. Great turnout, good atmosphere, bonus to end the season at at home in a final in front of a passionate support.

Dacey spoke briefly to the fans at the end and promised to be back with more next season.

AT: That was harsh. We were tremendous the first period of the first half, probably the best I’ve seen us play all season.

But we allowed them back in, and it was the reverse of the Brentford game were we started to exert control. A few sloppy mistakes, and they punished us, and we’re not built for chasing games.

I also think the subs started too late, and frankly none made a positive impact.

I do really like this group of players, and hope that most are back next year.
We almost did it.

MG: It was a real achievement to get to the final and we had a real go.

However, once they got in front we had to gamble and their counter attacking game was too fast and precise for us. Good season all round.

JB: Not much more to add – fab first 20mins, but clinical finishing from QPR and thought they were so quick at gaining a yard of pace in the middle to open things up and all the balls out wide on the counter were precise to over stretch us.

After the last few years, a 9th place and cup final – bravo to the players, coaches and everyone above. Proper fun year and onwards to next season

In photos: Cup dreams quashed as QPR crush Dulwich Hamlet by five goals to one, Tues 28th April 2026

DF: Really enjoyed tonight despite the score, QPR played some great stuff 2nd half especially in transition, once they’d got used to playing against full grown men!

Summer’s task has to be finding a Plan B for when Danny gets tired or things aren’t working, the only regret we can have is that we barely laid a glove on them after the free kick was saved around 55min.

2nd goal for them and related defensive mistake seemed to really knock our confidence, if Chambers just hooks that into the stand first time would like to have seen if we could have held on for pens.

In photos: Cup dreams quashed as QPR crush Dulwich Hamlet by five goals to one, Tues 28th April 2026

PP: …Don’t forget there would have been extra time if necessary and they didn’t take the lead until 65 minutes. We made the first substitutions within 5 minutes of that while it was still 2-1.

It was the complete opposite of the semi-final, when we had to hang in there and make sure we didn’t lose it inside the first 20 minutes. QPR didn’t create a serious chance until immediately before they equalised (a great solo effort to force a corner, then a stunning shot from the edge of the box after the corner had been headed clear) and we could easily have been further in front by then.

The second and third goals both came from cheap turnovers that were ruthlessly exploited. Chambo dwelt on the ball and got mugged after coming across to the touchline to collect an aimless clearance from deep inside their half.

Then Luke started showboating outside their box instead of running at the defender and failed to see a second opponent coming in on the blindside to pick his pocket.

Ultimately QPR had a collective speed of movement and certainty of touch that was too much for us over the 90 minutes. They fully deserved to lift that magnificent old trophy.

However I really disappointed with the referee’s handling of the game. I felt his whole approach conspired against us. He repeatedly penalised us for what were essentially ball winning challenges with an element of physical contact.

You get the odd pedantic referee in the Isthmian League, but I’m pretty sure most of those we get would have given far fewer free kicks against us. It enabled the development team to sustain attacking pressure and gave us little respite, particularly during the lengthy goalless periods either side of half time.

I’m also baffled where he got the minimum 9 additional minutes from at the end of the second half. I can’t remember such a high figure being indicated all season.

The game was well and truly won and lost by then, and everyone around me just wanted to hear the final whistle to thank our players for the whole season’s efforts. It was sadly inevitable that more punishment would be inflicted.