This evening’s match preview - Aveley (Away) KO 7.45pm

Aveley which way but lose, or so the Hamlet hope as the away portion of the pre season friendlies kicks off with a return to the Mill Field.

Its a familiar destination for the Hamlet with Dulwich regular visitors in recent season for games both against the Millers and their longstanding tenants, Grays Athletic. Last time we crossed swords with the Millers it was also in the preseason warm up, Dulwich arriving as newly crowned Division One South Champions and thanks to a brace from Erhun Oztumer running out clear 2-0 winners.

Whether it will be quite so one-sided this time remains to be seen with Aveley racking up the goals in a summer festival of football. It all began away to Essex Olympian side Buckhurst Hill with the Millers running out convincing 4-1 winners against a team that flirted with the spirit of friendly football with some close to the edge tackling.

Next up an encounter with FC Romania who caught the eye of the footballing fraternity last season by going all the way to the last qualifying round of the FA Cup only to be denied by perennial giant killers Sutton United by the odd goal in five. The two sides showed no ring rustiness going at each other hammer and tongs and sharing four goals in a dingdong first half. HOwever the second half belonged to the Millers as they scored three times without reply to inish up worthy 5-2 winners.

A trip to Premier Division VCD Athletic followed, the Kent club somewhat in disarray after the loss of their manager and a summer of rebuilding. So perhaps it was no surprise that the supposedly lesser side prevailed, coming back from 2-1 down in the first half to clinch in the second by the odd goal in five.

The Millers continued to show the top dogs of the Ryman Premier no respect constantly swapping goals with Canvey Island on their own patch in game that ultimately finished 4 all bringing the total number of goals in four preseason games to 25!

Tonight’s game takes place at the Mill Field in Aveley and admission is a very reasonable £5 for adults and just £2 for youngsters. Click here for directions to the ground by public transport and here for those by car.