Back to the league as Worthing come up to town.

After an inauspicious start to the season, narrowly losing away to Folkestone Invicta on the opening day of the season before shipping four first half goals at home to newly promoted Three Bridges in a ding-ding seven goal thriller, Worthing have found their form in the last week with a brace of excellent victories. The stage was set by the ruthless FA Cup demolition of Rye United, a side expected to challenge for promotion to the Isthmian League this term, before pre-season Division One South favourites, Maidstone United found themselves locked out by a disciplined display from the Rebels.

A jolly Bank Holliday weekend at Woodside Road began in fine fettle as the Rebels surged past Rye, crushing them 5-1. Scott Tipper netted a hat trick for Worthing, with Mike Huckett adding to his brace against Three Bridge with another fine pair. On the following Monday a first league win of the season was secured as Worthing overcame the hotly tipped Stones 2-0. Second-half goals from Tipper and substitute Nick Sullivan earned Rebels a deserved victory after a mature and professional display. A first half of virtual one way traffic with veteran custodian Alan Mansfield little more than a casual observer brought no goals despite a couple of hearty penalty shouts that fell on deaf ears. The breakthrough came after a Maidstone revival had petered out and Tipper’s power in the air paid off as he nodded home Chris O’Flaherty’s pinpoint free kick. Finally drawn into action late on Mansfield preserved the homesters lead with a fine stop on 86 minutes to deny the deadly Shaun Welford. However the points were sealed sorted afterwards as, in the dying moments, Tipper’s prod through gave Nick Sullivan the simple task of a cool finish.

From the big hands of Mansfield at the back through the likes of a number of past masters such as defender Glenn Woodburn, Jamie Brotherton, the tenacious Luke Gedling and Chris O’Flaherty who always caught the eye even in his days in a struggling Whyteleafe XI, the Rebels squad bristles with experience. Yet it is a new name that is earning all the plaudits down at Woodside Road, one Scott Tipper. The old-fashioned target man and clinical penalty box poacher bagged a hat trick in the cup against Rye and will be the one to watch this afternoon. He Made a name for himself last season with some astounding goalscoring exploits in the Sussex County league for Arundel netting 45 goals in all competitions over last season, 36 in the league and nine for the Mullets in cup games, form that alerted Rebels boss Chris White to his talents, his four goals from four starts justifying that faith.

Whilst it was a happy Bank Holiday for the Sussex side, Gavin Rose’s men had mixed fortunes over the weekend. Paired with a tough Hythe United side in the FA Cup on the Saturday they battled the elements and the opposition finally securing a hard-earned 1-0 victory thanks to Kalvin Morath-Gibbs’ goal. The Monday brought the hangover and Dulwich, though never disgraced, failed to fire on all cylinders, missing the chance to take top spot as Crawley Down Gatwick took every chance going to record a 3-1 victory. Rose will surely use that disappointing defeat as a jumping off point for this afternoon’s game, keen to ensure that his team deliver a performance they are truly capable of.

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 cocktail bar with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles? Right up until kick-off time all pints in the bar are discounted:

• ALL PINTS will be £2.50
• ALL BOTTLED BEERS will be £2
• ALL SOFT DRINKS £1.50 per pint

• £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.

Programmes: £1.50

Please note: Despite the presence of ticket machines in the lower car park, there is NO CHARGE for legitimate use of this facility by those attending Dulwich Hamlet games.