Down to Margate, you can keep the Costa Brava, I’m telling ya mate I’d rather have a day down Margate with all the Hamlet.

So come Saturday evening will it be the boys from the seaside in Dreamland or will it be a Jolly Boys Outing for the lads from South London?

Just four short days have passed since the two clashed at Champion Hill but for Margate and Dulwich Hamlet the stakes have changed with a place in the Third Qualifying Round on the table for the winner. Lost points can be made back over the course of a campaign, just ask Maidstone United, but once the FA Cup dream has died it is dead AND buried until the balls come out of the bag next summer.

Goals from Kevin James and Ian Daly settled things in East Dulwich on Tuesday night as Dulwich crept ever closer to the summit of the Isthmian Premier Division. However Margate were far from outclassed and with better luck might well have been the ones toasting victory, particularly in light of a stone-cold penalty they might have been awarded mere moments before James’ rapier sharp free kick pierced the ‘Gate defence on the stroke of halftime to give Dulwich a lead they never surrendered.

Both sides have their worries ahead of the game with Margate’s Joe Vines struggling with a hamstring injury that forced him to sit out Tuesday’s encounter along with Scott Kinch. Goalkeeper manager Craig Holloway was also absent from the pitch that night, the gaffer still recovering from the sickening boot to the head away to Grays Athletic that left him with multiple stitches above a swollen and bloodied eye. On Tuesday the Gate brought in replacement goalkeeper Joe Welch on a dual registration from Bromley with former Gills academy stopper Daniel O'Neill, who conceded eight on a nightmarish début away to Dover Athletic in the Kent Senior Cup, the only other senior goalkeeper. However Holloway is hopeful the stitches will be removed and he will be able to pick himself to return for today cup-tie after a trip to hospital this week. However he will be without left back George Craddock who starts a suspension after being dismissed in the previous round when Margate sprang back from an early deficit to overturn Kingstonian at Hartsdown Park.

A reminder that a Supporters Coach departs Champion Hill at 10.30 am (if you are reading this any later than that, you have missed it!). There may still be a few late seats available at £14 for adults and £8 for the usual concessions. If you make as last-minute decision to catch the Pink and Blue charabanc down to Margate then please call or text Shaun Dooley on 0793 127 6118. We catch the coach at eight (sorry, ten thirty) so don’t be late, we’re off to see the sea (sorry, Hamlet).

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road, Margate, Kent. CT9 5QZ

For those supporters that require sustenance after the long trip to the seaside the Stadium Bar opens approximately 90 minutes before kick-off serving a wide range of drinks and a big-screen TV.

For Supporters requiring wheelchair access there is space available at front of the Main Stand.

ADMISSION PRICES

• Adults: £10.00
• Concessions: £7.00 (Concessions apply to Male OAP 65 years and over, Female OAP 60 years and over, Student with Student Card.)
• Under 16: £3.00
• First child Under 10 accompanied by Adult: FREE

Admission after half time will be charged at Adult £5.00, Concessions £3.50, Under 16 £1.50.

Transfer to stand (seating): £1.00

Supporters are asked to retain their tickets for possible inspection whilst in the stadium.

Programmes: £2.00