Your official Dulwich Hamlet website caught up with Gavin Rose after the Youth Team match on Sunday morning

We went to Thamesmead Town last Wednesday, and picked up three point, after two straight defeats. I thought it was good win, at a team that should be higher in the table.

"To be honest I was just pleased to a get a result there. League tables are not much use in terms of what goes on on matchdays. We aim to beat the teams we play, regardless of position. Thamesmead were tough opposition on the day and we had to work hard, so I am very happy with the result."

That was comfortable win against Shoreham. Although we were clearly stronger fair play to them for trying to play football, and keeping on battling.

"Yes. They have a young manager in Bryan O'Toole. I spoke to him before the match, and he has aspirations to work his way up in the game, with the aim of playing good football. Even when they were losing they still played the proper way, with those ethics I say all the best & wish him well."

We had a very young bench on Saturday, could this have backfired against us if we'd gone behind?

"I don't think our bench was too inexperienced. We still had Peter Adeniyi on there and Ethan Pinnock, if needed, to help us out. We had the luxury of the FA Cup regulation, whereby you can name seven substitutes. If you look at the team that started for us, well no disrespect, but if we had lost, players would have had to have had a good look at themselves. It's good to be able to give youngsters First Team matchday experience, and we don't always have the budget to have many experienced players on the bench week in, week out."

Which brings us on to players. I understand some have been released.

"Yes, I've released Ryan James. He had an absolutely fabulous first year for us, after I brought him in from Whitehawk. He was orignally with me at ASPIRE, and this was his second spell at the Club. He helped immensely last season, but he came back this season not as fit and sharp, struggling to continue where he left off at the end of last year. So, regretably, I thought it best to sever ties. I've also let go Karl Beckford. He has played at Ryman Premier level for the last four or five years, and is clearly good enough to still do so, but at his age, week in week out he would rather be playing, and not a bit part player on the bench. I don't have the budget to keep players of his experience and quality on the bench, so had to release him, I'm sure he'll be fixed up with another Premier club soon. And we've let Junior James going ot Merstham on 'loan', although it's actually, technically, a transfer. It's just to see how he does in the next month or so. He's a young man who needs match experience, he did alright for us last year when brought in. He needs to play and find his own role, and at what level."

It's the Isthmian Charity Shield against Faversham. What sort of side can we expect?

"Well it's a First Team game & I'll play everyone who's fit. But we've had a few injuries recently, and a few got knocks at Thamesmead, and have carried on playing. My priorities are league games, and then we will try to patch them up, so if they are fit to play then they will, but if they are not fully fit they might be rested until the next league match."

Finally, two important home league matches, against Canvey Island and Margate. The league matches are coming thick and fast.

"We lost at home to Hornchurch, so it's important we win them, and try to take pride in our home form. It's a good base to build on, I like to use playing at home to our advantage. I've had reports on Margate and I've watched Canvey Island personally. On the day it's down to the players on how much they want to win. I certainly do, and want Champion Hill to be our fortress."