JOHN ULLMAN CUP QUARTER FINAL VS. DOVER ATHLETIC MATCH PREVIEW

30.04.10

While Sol Pinnock, Justin Bowen, Phil Wilson and the other elder statesmen of the First Team trawl the holiday brochures, some of their younger teammates still have their eyes on the prize. The Academy team under the stewardship of Gavin Rose and playing in the Central Division of the Kent Youth League have the chance of putting the some silverware on the sideboard this season as they entertain Dover Athletic in the quarterfinal of the John Ullman Memorial Cup. At stake is a semi-final berth and opponents waiting there – Ian Neal's Dulwich Hamlet Under 18's!

Dover, like their senior side, appear to be a particularly strong team, currently unbeaten in their eleven league games in the South Division of the Kent Youth League and conceding just 8 goals.

Dover's journey to the semi final has been a little shorter than Dulwich's. The Whites have disposed of both Maidstone United (2-0) and Tonbridge Angels (4-2) in Round's two and three to seal a visit to Champion Hill tonight. Interestingly, however, Athletic have lost two of their last four games, both defeats coming against Chatham Town.

Whilst the Dulwich youngsters have had a stuttering season in the league, put a silver cup in their sights and there are like greyhounds from the traps. A canter to the First Round proper of the FA Youth Cup saw them match a powerful Norwich City setup that only prevailed by dint of a penalty shootout, the second time a Rose youth team had succumbed in such cruel fashion to much loftier opposition. However the lads have already booked their place in one cup final this campaign with Chatham Town awaiting in the final of the Kent Youth League Onetwenty2 League Cup, that match taking place this coming Tuesday evening (4^th May) at Lordswood.

A close victory against Hollands & Blair back in February is where the Hamlet's run in John Ullman Cup began, a Carl Konadu strike and a Rio McFarlane brace was not enough to dump the Kent outfit out in normal playing time and so the Hamlet eventually dispatched them via penalties, winning 5-4.

Crockenhill were the opposition in the second round but the Hamlet eased their way past them with a 2-1 win. Free-scoring striker Roy Odiaka and full back Edward Dadzie bagged the goals to send Dulwich through to the third bout.

High flying Corinthian, who have enjoyed much success in their league campaign this season, awaited the Pink 'n' Blues in round three, but another 2-1 victory, courtesy of goals from wing wizards Nyren Clunis and Carl Konadu, meant Dulwich now have the chance to reach the final of the cup, should they overcome Dover tonight.

Adam Molley is expected to be in goal tonight, while the familiar faces of defenders Callum Roberts and Edward Dadzie, midfielders Ellis Wilson-Joseph, CJ Campbell and Haron Solomon, wingers Carl Konadu and Nyren Clunis and striker Roy Odiaka are likely to be included in the squad, all of whom have also been involved with first team affairs this season. Todd Whittle and Rio McFarlane will probably battle it out to partner Odiaka up front, while Joe Odedina and Emmanuel Awokunle may make up the defence alongside Roberts and Dadzie.

Kick off tonight is at 7pm at Champion Hill Stadium

©Richard Caldecourt