Dulwich Hamlet take on Whitstable in FA Youth Cup action at Champion Hill tonight

The Aspire Academy coached Dulwich Hamlet under 18s are in FA Youth Cup action this evening when take on Whitstable Town in the 1st Qualifying Round.

Like Dulwich Hamlet, the young Oystermen also compete in the Kent Youth League playing in the South Division alongside the likes of Dover Athletic, Deal Town, Hythe Town and Chatham Town. Whitstable were recipients of a bye in the Preliminary Round of the FA Youth Cup and have so far had three outings in league competition.

Like Dulwich, the goals have been plentiful in that opening trio of games though not always in their favour. On the first day of the new season, Whitstable went down by the odd goal in five against Hollands and Blair at the Belmont Ground. They bounced back a week later with a rollicking 9-1 win away to Deal Town, Josh Howland leading the charge with four goals. The rollercoaster ride hit the down slope last Sunday though when the Whitstable youngsters found themselves dominated by Dover Athletic, going down 6-1 at home with Howland scoring their solitary goal.

By contrast, Dulwich Hamlet have made a winning start to the season with four straight victories in all competitions. The season opened at Rutland Walk with a mixed performance against West Wickham when, from being comfortably in control at halftime four goals to the good, they allowed their opponents back into the game with a brace of second half goals that made the final 4-2 score line much closer than it should have been.

Similarly, against Meridian VP in the preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup, Dulwich were made to work hard for their eventual victory. The visitors were unfortunate to see a cracking effort hit the underside of the crossbar and bounce out when the score was just 1-0, Kiki Oshilaja having given the Hamlet their slender lead. Brian Testolin gave the team some breathing space before the break and, but for some brave keeping from the opposition goalkeeper, had the run of the second half Ade Batula and Kladji Cani adding further goals.

The floodgates well and truly opened as Dulwich returned to league action. Greenwich Borough were left reeling as Hamlet smacked nine goals without reply past them, Diallang Jaiyesimi leading the way with FIVE of them! Seven days later and it was more of the same as Jaiyesimi bagged another five in a crushing 12-3 win over Long Lane. Ade Batula weighed in with a hat trick whilst Reece Johnson and Kladji Cani contributed with two each.

This evening’s game kicks-off at 7.45pm at Champion Hill.

Admission is ALL PAY - £3 for Adults and £1 for Concessions. Under 12s FREE.

Season Tickets are not valid for this game