It could be a war of attrition this afternoon as Dulwich Hamlet hit the coast road down to Hythe for yet another do or die battle with Scott Porter’s uncompromising side.

Having mounted a surprise challenge for promotion last term, Hythe Town’s lavishly assembled squad surprised many with a slow start to this season that saw they plummet into the lower reaches of the table after an opening day victory away to Walton Casuals. Slipping low as 20th spot in the table, exiting the FA Cup thanks to Kalvin Morath-Gibbs poached goal at the Hill and dumped out of the FA Trophy albeit after taking Hampton and Richmond Borough to a replay, things looked bleak at Reachfields. However the season got a kick-start from a 5-2 thrashing of Tooting at home and before long Porter’s men had marched up the table, hitting second spot just over a month later. In that time they held Maidstone to a draw on the artificial pitch at the Gallagher Stadium and ended Dulwich’s home record with a pitiless performance at Champion Hill as goals from Craig Thompson and Nick Barnes, combined with some obdurate defending stalled the Hamlet machine.

However, the turn of the year brought a turn in fortunes and after a Boxing Day win over deadly local rivals Folkestone Invicta, the wheels fell off a big way as that watertight defence began to leak goals at an alarming rate. Five defeats on the spin saw the side tumble down the table just as the invites to the promotion party were being planned whilst their grip on the Kent Cup was undone, Thamesmead running riot. Shipping 15 goals in as many games, the dream seemed to be dying fast. However, back-to-back wins over Corinthian-Causals (3-1 at home) and way to Ramsgate (4-2) stopped the rot. Since then the Forters have been in parsimonious form, climbing back into the top four on the back of five more games unbeaten and nearly eight hours without a goal conceded. 1-0 wins at home to rock bottom Three Bridges and second last Walton Casuals sandwiched a scoreless stalemate with Merstham before sole strikes from the experienced Brendon Cass settled vital road trips at Burgess Hill and Leatherhead, the latter result allowing Hythe to leapfrog the Tanners into fourth spot. Having been handed a start against Walton Casuals, Cass grabbed his chance with both hands. Indeed one could be forgiven for feeling a sense of déjà vu if you were a Hythe follower, for in the last three games the veteran striker has come up trumps with the decisive goal, while at the other end, Dan Eason has kept out all those that dared breach Hythe’s five man defence.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6JS. Directions to the ground can be found here.

Please note: It may be after the midweek snow and rain forecast that a pitch inspection will be required ahead of this game. Should be the case then details and the outcome will be posted here once known.

ADMISSION PRICES

• £8 for Adults
• £5 for Concessions (OAPS, 15-18 year olds)
• £2 for Under 15s