Dulwich Hamlet aiming for hat trick of wins as Hendon return to the Hill.

Having already beaten their North London opponents both away in the Isthmian League and at home in the London Senior Cup, Dulwich Hamlet will be going for three for three this afternoon.

It was a balmy August evening in Harrow when the two teams first crossed paths, Dulwich on the road for the first time in the new campaign as they travelled to Earlsmead, current home of the wandering Dons. Though the 2-1 scoreline may have seemed tight, the ultimate victory was a lot more comfortable than the result on paper might suggest. A first half brace from Harry Ottaway, his first goals for the club, had the Hamlet very much in the driving seat at the break, controlling the game in the second half, always threatening to extend their lead but oft thwarted by an assistant referee with a hair trigger flag or sheer, damned bad luck. Kevin James had what seemed at first glance a valid goal disallowed for offside whilst Ellis Green cracked a fine effort against the woodwork. The nerves need steadying after Hendon got the run of the green with a soft penalty area, Dean Lodge flattened by a cannonball drive from close range, bouncing up only to discover that he had been penalised for handball! Much travelled striker Jefferson Louis rubbed salt into the wound as he banged home the disputed spot kick. However even those watching the game through green tinted spectacles were quick to concede that had Hendon snatched anything but a consolation from the game might have been a travesty.

Come October and the two clubs clashed again this time in the London Senior Cup. There was a slight air of despondence about Champion Hill, the club having exited the FA Cup at the hands of Hemel Hempstead a few days earlier but a sparkling performance enlivened by some of the current crop of young prodigies waiting to be transplanted from the Aspire Academy greenhouse raised the mood amongst the Pink and Blue faithful. With so many teenagers gathered in one place it was surprise not to see the local bobby poke his nose round the gate to ensure no shenanigans were being perpetrated. Of the eleven that had started at Hemel, none remained whilst Hendon fielded eight of those that started their previous Ryman League game, that a 4-0 win on the road at Bury Town. An early goal from Marcel Henry-Francis, finishing off Kristian Campbell’s delightful chipped pass put Hamlet in control and though Hendon levelled when Anthony Thomas cracked one home with a quarter hour left, Henry-Francis quickly restored the lead, taking advantage of slipshod defending to rifle home a close range effort. Dulwich put the tin hat on the result with six minutes left thanks to the goal of the night from tyro substitute Rammell Lake. Picking up pace as he cut in from the right wing, Lake gave Hendon’s Berkley Laurencin not a prayer as he bent a stunning left-footed curler around the ‘keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Hendon bounced back from that result with a 4-1 win away to struggling Cray Wanderers in the FA Trophy, the potent Jefferson Louis bagging a pair in that game. The veteran striker continued to mine a rich vein of form, grabbing another double in his side’s next outing a 5-2 win over another of the Premier Division’s basement boys, Thamesmead Town. The Trophy dream stayed alive as Oxford City were beaten whilst the Dons continued to haul themselves up the league picking up vital points in a 2-2 draw at home to East Thurrock United before defeating another of the Essex boys, Canvey Island, 4-2 at Earlsmead. Louis kept up his scoring run as added another three goals to his tally. He was again on target as the Greens took on Division One South side Whitstable Town in the Trophy but his goal was not enough as the dream died at the hands of the Oystermen. A madcap finish at North Greenford United in the Middlesex Senior Cup almost saw another cup dream shattered but the Dons weathered the late storm after almost blowing as three-goal lead, holding on despite the late dismissal of Dean Cracknell for violent conduct.

The visit of league leaders AFC Hornchurch must have filled the Hendon faithful with trepidation but a spirited performance must have left them with the felling of a Pyrrhic victory, beaten by a solitary goal in a close-fought and compelling contest. The only goal came on the hour mark when the experienced Stefan Payne fired off a superb shot from 25 yards giving the unsighted Laurencin no chance. Laurencin made a number of saves during the game, whilst at the other end the Greens did create a number of chances but were unable to find the back of the net.

The performance, if not the result, provide the building block for a successful trip to Aveley to take on Grays Athletic in midweek. There Hendon bagged all three points with a convincing 3-1, Louis taking his goal tally for the season to an impressive 21 with another double whilst Anthony Thomas moved into double figures with his 10th goal of the campaign. The result lifted Hendon into a position of relative security in 14th spot, with games in hand of the teams around them and 13 points clears of Thamesmead Town who currently occupy the fourth and final relegation berth.

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 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