Dulwich Hamlet, management, players and fans alike, will need no reminding of their previous visit to Leylands Park..

Then it was the final day of the last campaign when the stakes were high and so were the winds. Though Whitehawk, with their wheels well-greased, seemed to be heading for the title, holding the whip hand in the title race after their earlier win at Champion Hill, automatic promotion remaining within the grasp of the Hamlet. By contrast, the Hillians, in free-fall, seemed destined for the drop. Yet as Dulwich put in an insipid performance it was the home side who displayed the greater resolve and, to be brutally honest, Dulwich got what they deserved – zilch! On a wet and windy afternoon at Leylands Park, Tyrone Berry grabbed the crucial goal for the Hillians eleven minutes from the death, the three points saving them from relegation and condemning Whyteleafe to the drop.

Since the end of the season, the Hillians have been gradually strengthening their team under the auspices of manager Ian Chapman who has been utilising his contacts at the likes of Brighton, Whitehawk and Lewes to shape a squad unlikely to flirt some closely with the relegation places this term. Though a number of players from the previous campaign have committed themselves to the Hillians, Chapman and his number two, former Brighton favourite, Adam Hinshelwood, have added more than half-a dozen new faces, Burgess Hill so transmogrified that some pundits have even tipped them as a worthwhile outside bet for the playoffs at the very least. New names include the tenacious midfielder, Karly Akehurst, oft a scourge of the Hamlet in his Worthing days and part of Whitehawk’s champions last term. Also joining in the summer was Ryan Thomson, a creative attacking midfielder who spent several years in the Albion youth set up. Since parting company with the Seagulls he had spells at Whitehawk and finished last season with Bognor Regis. In addition he picked up central midfielder Darren Budd and bustling striker Ryan McBride, both former compadres of Akehurst at Worthing, though McBride has since parted company with the Hillians citing work commitments.

Of the past squad, fans must have been delighted to see loyal Lloyd Cotton commit himself to the club once more; the club captain a bulwark of the side even in its darkest days. Also resigned were the Harding brothers, goalkeeper Joel and striker Pat, the latter a wise decision indeed after he bagged all four goals in a 4-2 away win at Whitstable only last Tuesday!

That comprehensive victory lifted the Hillians up into fifth place, two points behind the Hamlet and just six shy of current leaders Maidstone United, whose recent run of victories came to an end in midweek with a scoreless stalemate at Crawley Down Gatwick. The Whitstable win must have come as a welcome relief for the Hillians after a pair of disappointing draws against some of the division’s (current!) lesser lights, Tooting and Leatherhead, dampened the euphoria of five-goal drubbing of current basement boys Walton Casuals at the Riverside Stadium.

Dulwich will go into this afternoon’s with a longer waiting list for the treatment room than your average NHS hospital but despite this Gavin Rose is not dispirited. An excellent performance in midweek when Erith Town unbeaten leaders of the Kent Hurlimann League, were dispatched 5-0 in the London Senior Cup whilst a very young reserve team ambushed a strong Wingate and Finchley XI in the Capital League President’s Cup has shown the promise and heart that lies just below the surface, young lads raring to step into the breach as and when the need arises. Fans may get their first chance to see new signing Louis Hollingsworth in action, partnering Lewis Gonsalves at centre half, freeing up Peter Adeniyi to return to midfield. The loss of Frankie Sawyer to injury in midweek has been tempered by the arrival of former Reading youngster Daniel Carr, who, after a shaky start, has found the back of the net in the last two games.

This afternoon's game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Leylands Park. Supporters should be reminded that the nearest Rail Station to Burgess Hill is in fact Wivelsfield, served by trains on the Brighton line through East Croydon. For those that enjoy a drop of proper beer, the bar at the ground will be offering select ales from Downlands Brewery.

Match Day Admission Prices

• £9 Adults
• £6 Senior Citizens / Concessions
• £2 Junior (under 16)