As the Year turns, Dulwich, sheathed swords ready for the battle at the summit, head for Carshalton, their own already out in fight against the drop..

After their reprieve from the hangman’s noose thanks to the administrative indiscretions of Thurrock last term, one might have expected fate to be a little less cruel on the Robins this campaign. However, their struggles have continued very much from the first whistle of this season. Starting the season with a 4-0 thrashing away to Wingate and Finchley, narrow single goal defeats at home to promoted Maidstone United and Leiston left them pointless after three games. A trip to Bognor Regis must have seemed daunting but the Robins rallied to post an encouraging 4-2 win away from home.

Next up a trip to the Hamlet, a game Dulwich dominated despite the loss of striker Harry Ottaway to sickening leg break that has kept him out of action ever since. Taking the lead through Dean Lodge on the quarter hour Dulwich doubled their lead early in the second half when Mathieu Boyer headed home Kevin James’ pinpoint delivery from a free kick. The Robins were given a lifeline when Tommy Bradford’s effort wormed its way under the body of Phil Wilson on a pitch made slippery in the rain but any hopes of a late fight back from the visitors was quickly extinguished when Erhun Oztumer bagged Dulwich’s third goal 2 minutes from time.

In the wake of that defeat points proved hard to come by for the strugglers, beaten in back to back home games by East Thurrock United and Bury Town before picking a valuable point in a scoreless draw on a Cray away day. A 1-0 victory at home to Billericay Town proved some meat in the sandwich but the bread proved thin as the Robins left Lewes pointless after a 2-0 defeat before twice losing by the odd goal in three at home to Harrow Borough and on a tough road trip to highflying AFC Hornchurch. Meanwhile dreams of progressing in the FA Cup proved stillborn as they failed to take advantage of Steve Butterworth’s first half goal at Leatherhead, sinking under a Tanners’ surge as the hosts bounced back with an equaliser from Tom Bradbrook, before Adam Burchell stabbed home a second half winner.

October saw the Robins pummelled 5-0 away to Lowestoft Town though they picked up precious points with draws at home to Canvey Island and the Met Police whilst narrowly edging past Burnham Ramblers in the FA Trophy. Beating Southern League Egham Town in the next round of that competition might have set Athletic up for a gallant revival through November but it was not to be. Defeats away to championship chasers Wealdstone and misfiring Margate bookended their exit from the Trophy, beaten at home by Division One South side Whitstable Town.

A chance to pick up some valuable points in the battle of the basement boys went begging as they could only draw away to Thamesmead. Whilst a win over AFC Wimbledon in the Surrey Cup might have proved some light relief it was in the league that the victories were more valuable, yet still they eluded the Robins if but by a whisker. Two goals down at Enfield they backed back for as share of the points. On a bitterly cold afternoon in Maidstone it took Frannie Collin’s 10th minute goal to divide the challengers and the backmarkers. Finally, after three month of striving for that elusive win at last, on Boxing Day, it arrived enabling the Robins to vacant bottom spot. More a battle than a ballet, the slick, sodden pitch did little to enhance the football on display though it did make for an enthralling game as Bradford’s early header was cancelled out five minutes later with a penalty, the first of three awarded, only for the same player to give his side the half time edge with a spot kick of his own. Those who made the impossible journey to Corringham must have feared for the worst when Stuart Thurgood rifled home a 75th minute equaliser but that lead lasted just three minutes before a foul on Bradford saw Lewis Taylor wrap up the points from the spot. There was still a nervy finish to endure but surviving a rattled crossbar Carshalton held on for the points.

If there was a post-Christmas party atmosphere in the air, the Robins were soon to suffer the mother of all hangovers as Bognor Regis Town avenged that August defeat with a 1-3 win at Colston Avenue. It was afternoon to forget for the Robins who were never at the races, losing both Adriano Moraes and Niall McManus to red cards, the former picking up his third dismissals of a red shrouded season. However, both will be available for selection in this afternoon’s encounter.

This afternoon’s game kicks-off at 3.00 pm at the War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 2PW.

Admission Prices

• Adult - £10.00 - Over 18 years
• Senior - £6.00 - Over 60 years
• Junior - £3.00 - U18 - Photo ID must be shown.
• U16s must be accompanied by an adult