THIS AFTERNOON’S MATCH PREVIEW – BOGNOR REGIS TOWN (HOME)

Time to renew old acquaintances as Dulwich Hamlet welcome the Rocks to Champion Hill.

Traditionally slow starters it seems, Bognor Regis Town currently find themselves struggling in the boondocks of the Isthmian Premier thanks in part to a catastrophic opening month to the season when they failed to win one of their opening seven league fixtures. Four straight defeats from match day one left the Rocks pointless before a run of three consecutive 1-1 draws lifted spirits. That said it was only marginally worse that the start to the 2013-14 season when they collected just one point from the opening four matches. However, they soon picked up a head of steam, rising up the table, to ultimately finish in third spot thus qualifying for the end of season play-offs, although this would end in defeat in the semi-final at home to eventually promoted Lowestoft Town.

Game eight saw Bognor register their first win, holding on against a spirited VCD Athletic to bag the points with a 2-1 victory at Nyewood Lane. However the revival was short-lived, East Thurrock coming away from their South Coast trip the following Saturday after a single goal victory. The bounce back came with a 2-1 win away to Billericay the following Tuesday but form seemed sporadic as the Rocks went out of the FA Cup by the same 1-0 scoreline in a replay away to Sussex rivals Lewes, the teams sharing a 1-1 draw in the first match.

Injury wracked and on the road to highflying Grays Athletic the Rocks must expected little from their next outing but they dug deep to upset the odds with a 1-0 win. Unfortunately, the reserves had been drained almost dry and with an injury list longer than the cast of Casualty, the Rocks could not maintain the momentum as they went down 2-0 away to the Met Police.

Their two games prior to this afternoon’s encounter only served to show the conundrum that is the current Bognor team. Away to a strong Harrow Borough side they rode their luck a little but held on for a spunky 2-1 win but entertaining rock-bottom AFC Hornchurch last Saturday, a team with just two wins to their name all season, the tables were turned. A horror start saw the Rocks trailing after just 35 seconds but it did not take long for the Rocks to level as Ollie Pearce tapped in on 11 minutes. However with Bognor seemingly holding the whip hand, they were hit late on by a second Urchins’ goal with 12 minutes left, one they could not recover from.

Last season Bognor did the double over Dulwich and the Ryman South playoff final defeat in 2012 still looms large in memory. Although injury and availability problems have played havoc with Bognor manager Jamie Howell’s match day selections, the Rocks will still be a force to reckon with. Injury problems have deprived him the likes of winger Ben Johnson, fullback James Crane, midfielder Charlie Oatway and striker Stuart Green whilst the enigmatic Ashley-Paul Robinson, late of this parish, ruled himself out of contention last weekend due to family problems. To that end the Bognor has been busy added to his squad, the latest his biggest coup so far with local legend Jason Prior joining on a month’s loan from moneybags Margate. Prior, who bagged 95 goals in 126 appearances in his previous time at Nyewood Lane, looked set for a glittering career in the pro game after being offered a trial at Newcastle United before eventually moving to AFC Wimbledon. Unfortunately, a sickening tackle in a game at Crawley Town left his leg shattered, and though he made a spirited attempt to battle his way back into contention he was released by AFC in May 2013, joining Dartford that summer before moving to Margate for the current campaign. Also signing on for the Rocks this week will be another face familiar to Hamlet fans in the shape of Omarr Lawson who burst through from the Dulwich academy, earning trials at the likes of Watford and Portsmouth though unfortunately for him nothing came of them. Since then Lawson has been plying his trade at the likes of Peckham Town, Crawley Down Gatwick and Lewes whilst he continues his studies at university.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

The turnstiles will be open from approximately 12.30 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals.

ADMISSION PRICES

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (UB40, Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

TODAY ONLY – STUDENTS WITH VALID ID – FREE. PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR ID AS WITHOUT THIS YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY. THANKS!

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £2.00