Dulwich Hamlet await table toppers as Folkestone Invicta make their way to Champion Hill.

After the distractions of late from Cup and Trophy, Dulwich once more turn their eyes towards the league as the doors to Champion Hill swing open to welcome a Folkestone Invicta side who clambered atop the table in midweek following a dingdong draw at Ramsgate. On a noisome night at their old rivals, unbeaten Invicta looked destined for defeat after an 80th minute goal put the Rams ahead in wet and wild conditions. To add insult to injury Invicta had already been denied what they felt was a legitimate “goal” after some curious officiating and had shouts of a penalty waved away after Stuart King went down in the box. Matters deteriorated further when Frankie Chappell bagged a double caution inside three minutes to leave Folkestone a man shy but they rallied late with King the hero of night as he struck with a last ditch leveller.

Always among the favourites for promotion Neil Cugley’s men will come to Champion Hill in determined mood, not just to preserve their position at the summit, not to avenge that marvellous eve (for the Dulwich POV at least!) when Ray “Razor” Powell’s double ended Invicta’s playoff hopes last term but to set their mark on the division against a Dulwich Hamlet side regarded by Cugley as probably his team’s toughest test of their unbeaten league season so far.

Indeed that playoff victory was but one of three times that Hamlet defeated Invicta in the 2011/2012 campaign, smacking five past them at Champion Hill in November and fighting back from an early deficit to win 3-1 at the Buzzlines in their league encounter though the potent threat of King was absent on both occasions.

Like the Hamlet, Folkestone have felt the chill wind of economic ills through their corridors, like many at this level forced to cut their coat to suit their cloth. A reduced budget means a smaller squad means less breathing space for injury, less space on board for passengers and a bruising start to the season has hit Invicta in key rears of the park. Versatile 31 year old defender Lee Gledhill, picking up from Maidstone United in the summer, and as comfortable at centre as he is at right back is doubtful after suffering a hamstring problem flared up which ruled him out of the Ramsgate trip. Likewise another experienced defender, Josh Burchell, who hobbled off with an ankle injury in the scoreless draw at home to the Corinthian-Casuals. Anther of the Invicta old guard, Roland Edge missed the Ramsgate draw but could be fit to face the Hamlet this afternoon.

Expect to see a number of changes in the Hamlet line-up this afternoon after the releases of striker Carl Wilson-Denis and midfielder Vernon Francis following Dulwich’s exit from the FA Cup a fortnight ago. Last weekend’s blank Saturday will have gave a number of the Hamlet lads the chance to recharge the batteries, gird their loins and prepare for battle anew now that attention has switched back to the struggle for the title. New signing Ryan James looks set to go straight in the squad after he re-joined the club in midweek, though it could be interesting as to where he slots into the side. Despite recent spells at the likes of Grays Athletic, Whitehawk and Oxford United as a centre half, it was as a big bustling centre forward that he first came to attention in Dulwich colours. On the injury front both Junior Kadi and Kalvin Morath-Gibbs came through a vigorous workout in the Capital League victory over Staines recently whilst Ahmed Deen is apparently progressing well after limping off at Sittingbourne. Unfortunately, Ethan Pinnock and Frankie Sawyer are a bit of a way off a return. With this in mind, Gavin Rose may look to promote some more of the lads from the Youth Team who battled through a breath-taking FA Youth Cup tie on Wednesday night to join the likes of Richmond Ayoola in the first team squad.

This afternoon's game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD. Before the game why not enjoy a drink or snack in the ground’s cosy cocktail bar with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

ADMISSION PRICES

• £9 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 16s, Unemployed (UB40) & Full Time Students with valid ID)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Programmes: £1.50