Top of the Table clash awaits the Hamlet in Sussex.

A little over 12 months ago Dulwich Hamlet made their maiden trip out to the Haven Sports ground, home of Crawley Down. There on a dank, misty August evening they came away with a resounding 4-0 victory that never flattered them, an 11 minute burst of goals around half time securing the points thanks to a Junior Kadi penalty, Frankie Sawyer and a Nyren Clunis double. That hammering was not the only the Anvils suffered in a bruising start top the season but the arrival of the experienced John Maggs, Mr Horsham for so long, in a “football consultancy” role, and an influx of experienced, hardened players brought about a revival at the Haven. Eventually the Anvils climbed out of the basement to secure a second season in the Isthmian League, along the way frustrating Dulwich in a hard-fought draw at Champion Hill. Fast-forward a year and Maggs has now taken possession of the Haven hot seat after then manager Darren Guirey steeped down at the end of last season. The team have added the sobriquet of Gatwick, in deference to the area’s biggest employer, the move designed to help put the club on the map nationally as well as to attract additional support, both in terms of sponsorship and spectators. However, it was on the pitch that the Anvils’ season has really taken off as they have flown to the pinnacle of the division following victories in their first two league games. On opening day they travelled to Merstham, twice pulling back a deficit to register a 4-2, goals courtesy of Jamie Cade’s brace, Gabriel Odunaike and Luke Blewden. They then proceeded to rip apart a sorry Burgess Hill side back at the Haven, Odunaike (2), Blewden and Cade all finding the net again with Addie Baff completing the scorers. However at the weekend the side were brought crashing down to earth as they suffered a shock defeat in the FA Cup away to a Tooting side, missing several players, a defeat that must make them doubly determined to get back to winning ways today.

After a third successive win and a third straight clean sheet, Gavin Rose’s side goes into this afternoon’s top of the table clash with confidence high. Coming through a bruising cup-tie at home to Hythe thanks to Kalvin Morath-Gibbs’ poached goal, the Hamlet will be looking to assert the belief amongst many that they can put the disappointments of past season behind them and reclaim a Premier Division spot after so long away. It may well be that Rose will be without Ahmed Deen after the full back was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure having been injured early on in the Hythe match but elsewhere the squad is fitting fit and raring to go.

This afternoon’s game takes place at the Haven Centre Sports field, Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down, RH10 4LJ, directions to the ground came be found here.

Travelling by public transport, take a train to Three Bridges Station then either a 291 bus to Crawley Down (hourly service on Bank Holidays XX:11) – click here for timetable. Alternatively, taxis are available outside Three Bridges Station.

Admission is £8 for adults and £4 for concessions. Programmes are available on the turnstile for £2. You need to keep your ticket if you are going out to the bar at half time to gain re-admission.