Dulwich Hamlet / ASPIRE Academy back in action this afternoon

The youngsters travel to Maidstone United for an intriguing National League Under Youth Alliance fixture today

With Dulwich Hamlet and Maidstone United Blues locked at the top of Division "G" of the National League U19 Alliance, something has to give in their clash this afternoon at the Gallagher Stadium. Both teams have won all three of their league matches in the current campaign with the 'Stones nudging ahead in the table by dint of their slightly superior goal difference.

Maidstone United Blues, one of 2 squads the club enter in the Alliance, opened their season with a 3-0 win away to Three Bridges,following that up with a convincing 4-0 win over Crystal Palace FA, Dale Ashman bagging a hattrick. That mean defence was broken when they travelled to Fulham (Sedgehill) but the hosts' solitary goal meant little as the 'Stones found the net seven times, Rhys Bartlett proving the hattrick hero this time. The winning run continued in the League Cup last Wednesday when West Ham United Foundation were beaten 2-0 at the Gallagher Stadium. In the FA Youth Cup Maidstone's Academy side drawn from both National League Alliance squads has progressed to the Third Qualifying Round of the competition. Given a bye to the Second Qualifying Round they dispatched Bridon Ropes by six goals to two, though with Maidstone finding the net three times right at the death, including twice in stoppage time, the result was not a clear-cut as it might seem.

By contrast Dulwich's season started with a disappointing exit from the FA Youth Cup at the first hurdle, beaten 2-1 at Champion Hill by a determined Phoenix Sports, Tyreece Spinks scoring the youngsters' consolation goal. A modicum of revenge was extracted when the Alliance campaign opened, Cristian Bucin scoring twice from the bench as Phoenix were beaten by the same scoreline. Dulwich got into gear a fortnight later with a convincing 5-0 win away to Millwall Lions, Bucin again on the scoresheet with both Lekan Osideka and Mohamed Kamara getting two goals each. Osideka went one better against Thamesmead Town in Dulwich's last outing, his hattrick matched by another from Henry Awokere in a 8-3 goal feast, Bucin and Kamara getting the other goals.

Today's game takes place at the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone with kick off scheduled for 1.30pm. Spectators are welcome.