THIS AFTERNOON’S MATCH PREVIEW – CANVEY ISLAND (HOME)

The Seagulls drop in on Champion Hill this afternoon with both sides in good form of late.

Canvey Island may be struggling at the wrong end of the table but it’s been a quirky season for the Seagulls with goals galore throughout an up and down campaign and just one scoreless game all term.

Surprisingly that came against Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup and though the Islanders lost the replay they showed enough over the two games against higher league opposition to show that their current position of 17th in the Ryman Premier Division is perhaps not a true reflection of their abilities.

Indeed early doors Canvey were among the front runners and when Dulwich visited Park Lane on a day when the heavens opened to biblical proportions the Seagulls came into the game on the back of three straight wins only for a goalkeeping error by former Hamlet custodian Tim Brown to give Dulwich the win as Ashley Carew’s long range free kick slipped through his hands.

Quite remarkably the Islanders have again come into form just in time for their encounter with the Hamlet, unbeaten in their last four outings after a four game losing streak had plunged them to 19h spot and the very brink of the drop zone, surrendering leads against Kingstonian, rock-bottom Bury Town and Enfield Town in the course of that slide. The fight back began with a 2-2 draw away to another of the strugglers, VCD Athletic, Caney rallying after going 2-0 down at the break.

A useful point was gained away to table climbing Met Police before Tonbridge Angels found their own hell on the Island as George Sykes, on loan from Conference side Barnet, bagged a hat trick for the Seagulls. Despite playing the last 40 minutes with just ten men after Steven Smith’s dismissal on Tuesday night at Lewes’ Dripping Pan, the Islanders dug deep as Sykes once more proved the hero with a winner five minutes from time after Tom Davis had cancelled out Enoch Showunmi’s opener on the stroke of half time.

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. As a very healthy crowd is expected, why not avoid the late rush and relax. Before the game 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?

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.

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

Programmes: £2.00