Home for the Hamlet as Dulwich welcome Merstham to Champion Hill

Thwarted by cruel fate, the elements and the hand of man Dulwich Hamlet look to get back into the groove four weeks after their last Isthmian League outing as they welcome a Merstham side struggling in the boondocks of the division after a poor run of form since the turn of the year.

Having suffered postponement after postponement Dulwich were then halted in full flight by a major masonic malfunction at Leatherhead that granted Hamlet’s hosts that day a “Get out Of Jail Free Card” after a plea to a higher authority than the Isthmian League bigwigs was ruled out. Then rogue boggy patches at Goring’s Mead, home of Horsham’s homeless Hornets, saw an apologetic official reluctantly left the Hamlet frustratingly idle as title rivals Maidstone and Leatherhead clashed, the Stoners twice surrounding the lead, their defensive walls crumbling as the Tanners snaffled a late winner.

Not long ago Merstham manager, Hayden Bird, was talking of a top five play for his team, a boast backed up by an impressive Boxing Day win on the road at Tooting and Mitcham, just a few days before the Terrors held the Hamlet at the Hill to a 2-2 draw. Since though the Moatsiders have been in free-fall, just a single point garnered since the turn of the year in a truncated match at home to Burgess Hill, their first point at home in two months though the elements had done much to prevent them hosting games in that time. Perversely it is away from the Moatside that Merstham seem to be at their most dangerous, defeats at promotion protagonists Leatherhead and Maidstone ending a long unbeaten streak on the road.

Last weekend as Dulwich were drowning their sorrows at soggy Horsham, Merstham entertained fellow strugglers Herne Bay and despite grabbing an early lead through Joe Holland were soon on the day foot against their Kentish guests, a third consecutive league reverse to go with a heavy Surrey Cup defeat at home to virtually a full strength Woking squad.

The Moatsiders advantage lasted less than sixty seconds before Herne hit back through Jordan Agbajae with goals from Dean Grant and Tommy Bryant secured a two-goal advantage for the visitors before the break. Although Fabio Saraiva reduced the arrears early in the second half, Billy Bennett clinched victory in the 73rd minute, Merstham slipping below the Bay in the table.

With a number of key players unavailable, the burden will fall on a number of youngsters including the likes of the exciting Saraiva, still a teenager but every much a fixture in the Merstham line-up. Cultured and committed, the young midfielder has shown he can conjure great moments out of the ether, chipping in with more than a dozen goals despite his side’s lowly status. Missing for Merstham will be left back Peter Wedgeworth and central defender David Graves, captain of the club, who both serve out of the final game of suspensions this afternoon. Also likely to be absent from the defence is Rob Carter who is joined on the injury list by former Dover midfield man, Luke l‘Anson. With Jakob Hessenthaler, son of Andy, recalled from loan by Gillingham and doubts lingering over the fitness of centre forward Lee Newman, Bird certainly has his selection headaches this afternoon.

Newman’s absence might mean Merstham aerial bombardments are diminished but Hamlet’s defence must still be on their guard for the ground attacks with former 200 metres schoolboy champion, Mark Nwokeji one to watch. The former Dagenham and AFC Wimbledon striker might have struggled to recapture his explosive arrival when three goals in as many games including two in three minutes that deposed then-leaders Folkestone shot Merstham into the top six back in the heady days of autumn.

With only cups to sustain them through the famine of football of late, Gavin Rose’s men have been busy showing the Premier Division what it missed out on as first Wealdstone then Kingstonian were dispatched from the Isthmian League Cup on the way to Tuesday week’s semi-final visit of Thamesmead Town to the Hill. However the lads, stung by the ill fortune of late, will itching to get back to the real business of the title chase after Maidstone took advantage to stretch their lead at the top to 6 points. Hamlet look to be back to full strength with only Luke Hickie unavailable, his suspension carried on another week after last Saturday’s postponement.

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 the ground cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

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