The Hamlet travel to Arlesey Town, in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, on Saturday...a team we have never played before.

The Arlesey Town home ground on Hitchin Road, is known as the Armadillo Stadium, & we hope as many Hamlet fans as possible make the trip.

They will be hoping to emulate their Cup success of last season, when they reached the First Round Proper, for the only time in their history. They bowed out 3-1 at Salisbury City, having pulled off a shock victory by the odd goal in three at home to Forest Green Rovers from the Blue Square National, in the final qualifying round. We shall do our best to stop them, and reach the First round Proper ourselves, something we have not done since 1998.

Arlesey currently compete at the non-league level above us, in the Evo-Stik League Southern League Premier Division, & currently six in sixth spot, after eight league matches.

They have yet to be deafeated at home in the league, having beaten Bedford Town (2-1);Bedworth United (1-0); and Chesham United(2-0). Whilst they have dropped some points at their 'fortress', drawing one apiece with Gosport Borough.

On their travels they opened up with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Stourbridge, also 2-1 at Hemel Hempstead Town; & last weekend won by the odd goal in seven at Leamington. Their only defeat thus far was at our old friends from Isthmian days, a lone goal defeat at Hitchin Town.

In the FA Cup they won one nil at Barton Rovers, who are a step four club like ourselves, competing in the Evo-Stik Southern League Central Division.

As we have mentioned, The Hamlet have never been to Arlesey before, & Dulwich fan Richard Watts has once again published travel details on the independent Supporters' Messageboard, which we republish here:

" Travelling to FA Cup tie at Arlesey, Sat 22 Sept
Arlesey’s ground in on the main Hitchin Road, just under 2 miles south of the train station.

Fast trains leave King’s Cross hourly at 23 mins past the hour, journey time 34 mins. Therefore the latest train you want to be on is the 1323. There is also an additional slower hourly service leaving at 36 mins past the hour, journey time 47 mins. For the return journey the faster service leaves Arlesey at 24 mins past, the slower service at 58 mins past.

The ground is arrowed near the bottom of the map page linked here, with the station near the top of the page, just inside the A507:

I believe there are four pubs along the route for anyone wishing to break the walk. There is also an hourly bus service, number 72, which stops near the station in Stotfold Road (Old Oak P.H.) at 42 mins past the hour, with the return journey leaving the stop nearest the ground at approx 24 mins past the hour. (Journey time 5 mins.)

There is no taxi rank at Arlesey station. The local taxi website is linked below and advises pre-booking if arriving by train. Alternatively you could go to the Old Oak pub (the one nearest to the station) and book a cab from using the local taxi company, by clicking here."

Thank you, Richard, for your help.

"