As one road to Wembley closes, another avenue opens up with Dulwich Hamlet entertaining Harrow Borough in the FA Trophy this afternoon.

When Dulwich last crossed swords with their Middlesex opponents, it was to prove a turning point in the season for both clubs. Hamlet’s tame second half surrender after Erhun Oztumer’s first half opener had given the lead proved as potent a wakeup call as a car battery hooked up to the nether regions, sparking a invigorating run of victories. Eight games and maximum points later Dulwich were right in the mix at the top of the table, enjoying a FA Cup run that would only end last Saturday away to a highly impressive Hemel Hempstead side, leading the Southern League by the proverbial country mile, tight in defence and potent in front of goal. Meanwhile the Borough, believing they had turned the corner after a second straight victory of an otherwise winless season, instead found muggers waiting in the shape of tenants Hendon whose 3-1 victory at Earlsmead meant dreams of a renaissance proved stillborn. A week later and the FA Cup was but a shattered dream as North Greenford United ended those hopes after a replay.

A first visit to league leaders Maidstone United and the Gallagher Stadium’s 4G artificial pitch provided some light relief as Harrow battled their way back from 4-1 two minutes into the second half to level at 4-4 with eleven minutes to go, hanging on for a well-deserved draw despite some late Stones pressure. A basement battle followed as Harrow made their way to Carshalton Athletic. The game was not one for the purists with much messy football on display and a red card apiece, but the Borough overcame the loss of a lead given them by Steve Butterworth’s goal inside the first ten minutes to clinch all three points with Ronnel Dennis’ 88th minute winner. And though they gave away a late equaliser to share the points next time out as East Thurrock came to Earlsmead a month that had come in like a lion had gone out like one in spite of some sheepish performance in between.

Yet if September had cemented some hope into Harrow hearts, the opening to October proved cruel indeed as they failed to pick off perennial bogey team, Wingate and Finchley, all the more painful for the part a pair of Earlsmead favoured sons of past Wingate coach Daniel Nielsen and midfielder Daniel McGonigle, played in a smash and grab raid, two late goals winning it for Wingate. The result underlined Harrow’s rotten recent record against their North London rivals, taking managed but a point from five encounters with the Blues.

With a ten-day break manager Dave Anderson got busy in the transfer market bringing former Brentford striker Calum Willock, under a gentleman’s agreement to last until at least the January transfer window. Anderson has expressed the hope Willock will bring the nous and experience he had expected to get from another former league striker, the much-travelled Leroy Griffiths, who arrived at Earlsmead during the loose season, only to disappear again a few weeks later after a null return. Former Tottenham youngster Ajet Shehu and winger Louis Montoya-Ospina joined Willock in this week’s new batch. Both Willock and Montoya-Ospina went straight into the starting line-up for last Tuesday’s London Senior Cup trip to Spartan South Midlands Football League side Hanwell Town, ironically with a trip to Dulwich Hamlet, conquerors of Hendon the night before, the prize on offer. It was to a debut that neither would forget in a hurry as early promise and a Shane Lucien goal to give Harrow the lead after 20 minutes evaporated in the dank West London air. Five goals and missed penalty later there was dancing in the streets of Hanwell as the hosts recorded yet another famous victory over loftier opposition in this venerable competition. Many Dulwich fans may not need reminding of past victims of the men from Perivale.

With three new men on board Anderson has accepted that the stream of new recruits could endanger the very consistency his wheeling and dealing seeks. However, it seems yet another new face may be in the Harrow camp with the boss pledging to have another striker committed in time for kick-off this afternoon – and there could be yet more to follow with defence uppermost on his mind in wake of the midweek debacle.

This evening’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD. At the time of writing the pitch is reported as playable and the game should go ahead as planned barring any later changes in conditions.

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