Preseason continues apace as Dulwich Hamlet head into the valley making for the leafy leas of the ‘Leafe to renew old acquaintances.

This delightful village club may seem to some to have been caught in a suburban time warp but passing the old parish church and strolling down through the arbour, fans will find themselves at a Church Road ground leaping ahead into the 21st Century. Gone is the notorious pitch, ankle deep in water at the hint of rain, oft’ frozen solid in the depths even when the rest of the country might be basking in unseasonably balmy weather. In its stead a state of the art 3G type surface that might be at odds with those for whom belting a sodden leather bladder around a paddy field is the epitome of the game.

If that modern playing surface is emblematic of the ambitions of the ‘Leafe, so is the team that has been rebuilt from the ruins after a relegation that still rankles, demoted from the Isthmian League at the end of the 2011-2012 season. 12 points adrift of 20th placed Burgess Hill, the Leafe dragged themselves to the very brink of safety only for the trapdoor to pulled open after the Hillians defeated Dulwich on the final day of that season, a result that defied the formbook but also cost Hamlet home advantage through the playoffs.

Since that dark day both on and off the field Whyteleafe built for their return, a feat finally accomplished last season. With form Dulwich striker John Fowler at the helm they clinched the Southern Counties East League (as the Kent League had become) with time to spare, losing just four times as they finished 11 points clear of second placed Ashford United. With but a modicum of tinkering in close season, the Leafe have already shown they mean business in the coming months. Against last season Premier Division runners-up Kingstonian, the “new boys” even had the audacity to take the lead, a fine baptism for the new 3G pitch and though the K’s pegged them back to force an entertaining 2-2 draw, the hosts came close to winning it with the ageless Roscoe DSane twice thwarted by Rob Tolfrey in the latter stages of the contest.

Having been unbeaten in their previous friendlies, that run came to a shuddering halt on Tuesday evening when Bromley were the visitors. The artificial pitch made for a good passing game, one the Ravens exploited to its maximum potential with a 5-1 victory.
This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Church Road, Whyteleafe, Surrey, CR3 0AR.

For those traveling by train please be aware that there are rail engineering works at London Bridge affecting Southern services leaving from the terminus platforms, therefore the regular stopping train from London Bridge to Whyteleafe South calling all stations via Forest Hill has been rerouted from South Bermondsey via Tulse Hill and Crystal Palace. These trains depart South Bermondsey at 29 & 59 past the hour, total journey time from there to Whyteleafe South approx. 50 minutes.

If you would normally travel via route through Forest Hill and Sydenham, it is advised that you take a London Overground service to Norwood Junction and connect with the train there. Supporters who would start from London Bridge should get a fast train to East Croydon and change there. There is also an additional half-hourly service from Victoria to Whyteleafe South calling all stations via Balham, Selhurst, and East Croydon.