The Carshalton Robins come bob-bob-bobbing along to Champion Hill as Dulwich Hamlet kick off a Bank Holiday double at home.

Though there is a tough trip away to current table toppers Grays waiting in the wings on Bank Holiday Monday, Dulwich Hamlet must first turn their attention to their old friends and foes from the War Memorial Ground as Tommy Williams brings his Surrey lads to East Dulwich.

Preseason proved solid despite starting out with defeat to the Hamlet in the semi-final of the Geoff Harvey Memorial Vase at Corinthian-Casuals. Highlights induced an 8-0 thrashing of Walton Casuals, albeit against opponents composed entirely of trialists subsequently shown the door by the Stags and a narrow defeat at home to one of Conference South promotion challengers, Dover Athletic.

Yet behind the scenes it was a turbulent summer for the Robins, the winds of uncertainty blowing down the corridors of Colston Avenue. Up and down more times than a Montmartre mademoiselle, Carshalton Athletic, reprieved from relegation at the end of last term by Thurrock’s late points deduction and subsequent demotion, then found themselves in limbo as they waiting for the cogs of football’s administration to creak into action.

Finally when the Fleet’s last hope was extinguished, their appeal falling at the final hurdle of the FA’s independent arbitrator, could Carshalton Athletic take their place at the Ryman League top table for this season. With the two teams separated by but a single point in final order of things, and the appeal dismissal on 9th July, saw the Robins hop over their counterparts and out of the maw of the relegation trapdoor.

Despite all the hearsay, all the uncertainty Williams and his backroom boys found rare solidarity in the ranks with all but a handful of his squad staying loyal to the Robins including many of those who contributed to a remarkable six wins in the final eight games that dragged the team up from the basement to the very brink of survival before Thurrock’s woes granted the Robins that late, late reprieve. One of those that did depart, albeit with the blessing of the club, was Nathaniel Pinney. The imposing striker, a native of Norwood, departed Crystal Palace in April 2012, dropping down to play from local side Croydon FC at the desolate Arena. Answering a call from newly appointed Williams, Pinney hooked up with the Robins in October last year hitting a jaw dropping 22 goals in 35 appearances in a season dominated by the club’s fight against the drop. Unsurprisingly Pinney’s prolific strike rate had the big boys sniffing around the Avenue with Pinney becoming an Angel in the summer, making the move to Conference South Tonbridge.

With the dust settled on the Thurrock Affair, Williams must have been looking forward to the big kick-off as the Robins travelled to Wingate and Finchley for the opening match of the 2013/14 season. However, the Carshalton squad for the curtain raiser found itself blighted by injury as nearly half his intended starters called in sick with a variety of niggling injuries. Against opponents already tipped by the bookies as favourites for the drop it was a nightmare start to the season that had fans dreading another campaign of struggle that left the boss “bitterly disappointed”. An early converted penalty and three second-half goals, the second of them tinged with controversy, saw the Robins limp home on the wrong side of a heavy 4-0 defeat. How they could have done with the services of young Mr Pinney.

Midweek saw Maidstone United visit the Avenue and, though beaten, Williams still found positives in the Robins’ renewed resilience. more than holding their own against a side tipped for promotion, the Robins finally succumbed late on as the Stones bagged an 86th minute winner through Alex Brown’s 20-yard half volley claiming a 2-1 victory that denied Carshalton their first point of the season. It was a similar story last Saturday as Leiston substitute Ryan Crisp grabbed the only goal of the game after 75 minutes ghosting a header from Gareth Heath’s whipped free kick inside the far post from 15 yards out.

The pattern seemed set to continue at Bognor Regis on Tuesday night as, despite Julian Owusu’s quick-fire riposte to Craig Robson’s opener for the Rocks, the Robins trailed at the break as Robson struck again on 26 minutes. However an accomplished second half display saw Carshalton clinch the points with a trio of goals in the final eleven minutes, courtesy of Steve Butterworth, Harold Odanetey and Tommy Bradford.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD. Don’t forget that East Dulwich Station will be closed this weekend, more details available here.

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?

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: £1.50