Third entertain fourth as Herne Bay arrive at the Hill...

Dulwich Hamlet bids welcome to a new foe this afternoon, in Isthmian League terms at least, as Herne Bay, last season’s champions of the Kent League return to Champion Hill having previously played our tenants, Fisher FC, in that triumphant Championship season. Not that Herne Bay are totally unknown to the Hamlet for back in 1994, Dulwich made the look trip east to Winch’s Field for a first qualifying round FA Cup winning 3-1 in a fiery encounter before a passionate crowd.

Reorganisation and relegation have pushed the Hamlet further down the pyramid since that afternoon but in the 18 years that have passed since then, whilst Dulwich have endured some dark days, the men of Kent have piled the honours and the plaudits. The nineties saw the Club become the most successful and consistent side in the Kent League, winning four Kent League titles. The 1996/1997 season was without equal in the history of the Kent League. Within the space of four weeks, the Club won the Kent Senior Trophy, The Kent League Division 1 Cup and The Kent League Championship. A never before (and never since) treble! In the wake of that amazing season, Herne Bay were devastated to lose manager Tommy Sampson (once linked with the Dulwich Hamlet hot seat by none other than himself) and virtually their entire first team as local rivals Deal Town asset stripped Winch’s Field. The quality of that squad was quickly demonstrated as Sampson led the new Deal to Wembley and FA Vase triumph, the first Kent League success in that competition.

Herne Bay picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and started all over again. In 2000/2001 Herne Bay were firing on all cylinders, bagging 93 goals in the league but just unable to clinch the title. The momentum stalled the followed season as early cup exits and a below seventh spot in the league was only slightly tempered by being one of the few teams to defeat league and cup double winners, Maidstone.

As the decade progressed success eluded the Bay but, beneath the surface, things were beginning to bubble. Winch’s Field, with the aid of Football Foundation grants, was slowly but surely being spruced up whilst on the park a vibrant youth policy begun under Jason Lillis was beginning to bear fruit. As the youngsters grew in stature so the club began to flourish. Three years ago, Simon Halsey arrived as manager. In his first two seasons, Bay frustratingly finished runners-up in the Kent League Premier, the second of those going down to the wire when a late goal at Tunbridge Wells gave Hythe Town the title in the last few minutes of the campaign. However last term the revolution was complete as Herne Bay swept all before them, clinching the Kent League title and with it elevation to the Ryman League. In addition the Bay came within a whisker of an appearance on the Wembley stage going out at the semi-final stage to Northern League side West Auckland Town over the two legs by the odd goal in seven (4-3.)

After a frustrating start to the season, losing to a late goal at home to Tooting on opening day and exiting the FA Cup at home to Folkestone Invicta, the Bay found their feet with a hard-fought win away to a rugged Hythe Town XI and a dingdong win on the road at Eastbourne Town. However, defeat at then leaders Crawley Down Gatwick and a swift exit from the FA Trophy at the hands of Chatham put a dampener on things. However, the Bay showed their mettle in a throbbing Kent Cup tie at home to a very strong Dover side almost entirely composed of first team regulars, battling through to win 2-1, Andy Irvine’s headed goal in extra time shocking Bay’s loftier opponents.

Bay built on this putting together a six game unbeaten run, a trio of draws followed by a 3-0 win at Three Bridges, revenge of sorts as Tooting were sent packing from the League Cup after a penalty shoot-out and culminating in a hard-fought win over Horsham that sent the club up into the heady heights of second spot on the coattails of Maidstone.

The visit of struggling Worthing seemed like a three point shoe in but with Herne Bay not at the races, Worthing looked anything but strugglers as Bay were soundly thrashed 4-1 at Winch’s Field. Yet such is this topsy-turvy season that such a result must have been on the cards and much the same when Folkestone Invicta paid a call last weekend. Some in the Bay ranks must have felt it was déjà vu all over again as Invicta took a first half lead. Yet Herne Bay have something of a reputation of second half specialists and once more they rose to the challenge, Dan Wisker winning it in the 84th minute with a deflected effort.

Though James Turner leads the scoring charts with four this term, it is a player whose name has yet to trouble the scorer who might well prove the greatest threat to Hamlet’s goal this afternoon. Last weekend’s come from behind victory over Folkestone saw the shock return to the Bay ranks of striker Byron Walker. Walker was Bay’s main marksman in last season’s Kent League championship and historic FA Vase run but after trials at League One Oldham Athletic came to naught recently signed for Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic. However, the lure of the sea must have proved too much. Though the unexpected return of Walker seems to have slightly bemused Halsey, it ups his options ahead of this afternoon’s third vs. fourth clash, the Herne Bay manager with a strong squad to select from.

No such luck for Gavin Rose whose current injury woes will be compounded further by the loss this afternoon of combative all-rounder, Luke Hickey, who sits out the game after picking up five cautions this season. However the Hamlet can draw strength from the battling performance at Burgess Hill which, though it left the Dulwich management disappointed in a draw, showed the fighting spirit that their side possess.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD. Please note that East Dulwich Station is closed today due to improvement works, alternative travel details are published 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? Happy hour prices right up to kick off time.

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.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £1.50