THIS AFTERNOON’S MATCH PREVIEW – BURGESS HILL TOWN (HOME) KO 3.00PM

The Hillians are heading for the Hill this Saturday as Gavin Rose’s men look to build on the midweek win over Wingate.

Having ended their winless streak of late, Dulwich Hamlet must maintain the momentum of that 2-1 Tuesday night win against Wingate and Finchley as they welcome Burgess Hill Town to East Dulwich. The Hillians have found victories hard to come by since the turn of the year with just one win under their belt since a three game spell of triumphs came to an end with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to relegation zone becalmed Farnborough Town.

Since then results have been more frustrating than comprehensive than when Wingate & Finchley went to town at the Harry Abrahams Stadium recording a crushing 5-1 win. Defence for the Hillians has proved tight but it is front of goal that the Sussex side has suffered finding the net just eight times in their last dozen games. Yet proof of the threat remains as can be testified from their most recent outings, Tyron Smith’s 78th minute goal settling a taut encounter away to fast-rising Kingstonian and runaway leaders Hampton & Richmond Borough escaping the Green Elephants Stadium with a best of three goals triumph. Then Burgess Hill Town played more than three quarters of the game a man shy, defender Andy Pearson dismissed for goal scoring opportunity denying handball on the line after which Tom Jelley tucked away the spot kick for the Beavers. Despite their disadvantage Hillians struck back just three minutes later as Joe Keehan headed home. Brendon Kiernan restored the league leaders advantage after the break but with Burgess Hill playing some gung-ho attack minded football late on the Beavers seemed to be hanging on in the latter stages of the contest, just keeping their opponents at bay even with the loss of Kiernan to the afternoon’s second red card.

The defeat meant that Ian Chapman’s men slipped down to 17th spot, the nadir of a season that had begun brightly with back-to-back wins away to Ryman North Champions Needham Market and at home to VCD Athletic. The Hillians slipped off well off the pace after that including a 5-0 home humbling by Harrow Borough. However, the results soon returned as the team recovered to find themselves on the fringes of the playoff places with a quarter of the season completed, though FA Cup dreams came to an end in shock fashion as Burgess Hill went down to Horsham YMCA of the Southern Combination Football League Premier Division (formerly the Sussex County League).

That revival included one of the more disappointing Dulwich displays as Leylands Park proved an unhappy hunting ground for the Hamlet. The sides shared a quartet of goals in a manic 15-minute period at the end of the first half. A depleted Dulwich went behind as Pat Harding reacted best to a loose ball in the box but hit back when Ashley Carew bewitched the ball with a sublime free kick six minutes later. With three minutes the lead was back in the hands of the Hillians as Dan Pearse’s 25-yard grass cutter somehow found the net. Bang on the break, Dulwich were back level again as the home defence seemed to wait for a whistle that never came Danny Waldren’s uncompromising finish marking his maiden goal for the Hamlet. Dulwich missed their chances in the second half to build on that late leveller, Burgess Hill profiting as slipshod defending allowed Andy Pearson to score the match winner with an effort that looked more a cross than a shot.

Though they added aa further three points in the Sussex derby with Lewes, a six game winless run that saw Chapman’s men dumped out of the Ryman League Cup by lower opposition in the shape of Dorking Wanderers left the Hillians seemingly marooned in the still waters of midtable. December though brought festive cheer on the pitch though off it dark clouds were gathering on the horizon. Chapman’s team surprised all but themselves coming from behind to win 3-2 at the Longmead Stadium, two goals in three minutes from Sam Fisk and Chris Smith wiping out Nathan Elder’s double after Sam Gargan’s early opener. Another five goal thriller followed as plummeting Canvey Island were beaten 3-2 at the Green Elephants, the players giving the Leylands Park fans the prefect Christmas present as Gargan bagged four in the 5-1 destruction of Merstham. Since then, it has been nothing but frustration and disappointment bar a 1-0 home win over Enfield Town that saw the debut of former Whitehawk midfielder James Fraser.

Yet on field frustrations must pale into insignificance alongside those off the pitch. Time is ticking down on ensuring the Green Elephants Stadium meets ground grading regulations ahead of next season. Plans have been submitted, contractors appointed and now the club must wait for the nod from their local council. The club has held meetings with Mid Sussex District Council and hope to update the traffic management plan and the Hillians being granted a longer ten-year lease at Leylands Park. With just three years left on the current lease, it makes it impossible to apply for much needed FA grants to carry out the improvement work.

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 1.00 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. Before the game why not enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles? The bar will open serving a range of excellent ales including selections from local breweries such as First Team main sponsor Late Knights Brewery as well as Clarkshaws, Gipsy Hill and the Brick Brewery.

ADMISSION PRICES

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

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

Programmes: £2-00