Dulwich Hamlet will be looking to crack open a few Oysters this afternoon as Whitstable Town make their way to the Hill.

After arriving in the Isthmian League in 2007 on the back of the club’s best-ever season, winning the Kent League and the Kent Senior Trophy but just missing out on a hat trick of trophies as they lost out in the final of the Kent League Cup, beaten by Thamesmead Town, it’s been a bumpy road for Whitstable Town these last few years. The first year in the Ryman League (2007/2008) started shakily but an excellent end to the season pulled the Oystermen up to mid table respectability. The following season provided more of the same as a difficult start ended up with the club in the lower reaches of mid table. The following three seasons saw a number of managerial changes with the side easier supporters’ palpitations with a regular a spurt at the death to stave off relegation fears. And, once again, this season seems to promise a similar scenario. Rock bottom in the early days of the current campaign, the Oysterman spurted up to a mid-table slot only to slip back into the clutches of relegation from whence they have struggled to escape ever since. Justin Luchford parted company with the club in November with Whitstable sitting second-from-bottom, the manager was relieved of his duties by Chairperson Gary Johnson after taking the players for training. Luchford’s departure came in the wake of a 3-2 reverse away to fellow strugglers Three Bridges, a result that narrowed the gap between the Sussex strugglers and their victims.

Under interim manager Richard Langley, the Oystermen picked up a vital three points in their fight avoid the drop beating Chipstead by a sole goal at the Belmont. However, back-to-back defeats failed to lift the spectre of relegation from the club. In early December, after much deliberation, Whitstable installed Nicky Southall in the Belmont hot seat, the former Gillingham player inspiring the Oystermen to some of their best form of the season. Crawley Down Gatwick were held to a pair of draws, fellow strugglers Walton & Hersham were well beaten home and away, strong travellers Worthing took a four goal tonking on their visit to the Belmont whilst a valuable point was garnered from the Boxing Day derby at home to local rivals Herne Bay. Worthing apart, January proved a bit of a disappointment with three straight defeats opening the month. Nevertheless, narrow single goal defeats against playoff challenging Folkestone and Ramsgate were surely no disgrace for a club at the wrong end of the table.

However, things took a turn for the worse in February staring with a 4-0 home rout at the hands of crisis club Tooting and Mitcham. Whitstable recovered to pick up a priceless point in a 1-1 draw at Sittingbourne but then imploded to ship five goals on the road at Corinthian-Casuals, come away from the Gallagher Stadium with nothing after a 2-0 defeat to leaders Maidstone before providing more cannon fodder as Leatherhead thumping five past them on home turf.

A trip up the line to inform Faversham Town must have filled many of the Oystermen’s faithful following with deep trepidation but an inspired performance left their second placed hosts shell-shocked on the end of a 4-1 demolition as Whitstable matched their loftier opponents in every department, fighting for every ball. The result moved them four points ahead of second-bottom Casuals in the table, a margin maintained as the two clubs shared a nervy 1-1 draw at the Belmont a week later. In midweek the danger was further eased as defender Ollie Lee, on work experience from Gillingham, popped up with the vital goal as victory over Merstham lifted Whitstable up to 17th spot, their highest position since Dulwich Hamlet snatched victory on a foggy coastal evening back in late October.

Speaking to the Kent Messenger Southall challenged his players to “put themselves in the shop window” in this afternoon’s game, believing a decent performance on Saturday would not only ease Town’s drop fears but also give his players the chance to show they can perform at a higher level.

He said, “Nobody expects us to get anything at Dulwich and they’re second for a reason. They’ve got class lads who are attracting interest from Premiership clubs.

“The scouts will be there and it’s a chance for our boys to put themselves in the shop window. You never know who’s watching.

“If our lads are outstanding, they could raise a few eyebrows.”

Lee (side) is the Oystermen’s main injury worry ahead of this game, while Southall is monitoring a number of niggles.

This afternoon’s game kick-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

• £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