Bloom’ typical – you wait ten days for a preseason friendly then along comes four in quick succession starting tonight as Dulwich Hamlet head for Eden

...Park Avenue that is and Beckenham Town.

This is the first of four pre-season matches in six gruelling days that will include the visit of Crystal Palace to Champion Hill this coming Tuesday 29th July.

Originally born as Stanhope Rovers, for the best part of three decades Beckenham Town have been a fixture in the league formerly known as the Kent Hurlimann League, now the Southern Counties East Football League to reflect its extended geographical membership if not reduced numbers. Whilst promotion has eluded the Becks, silverware has not and last season, after three previous unsuccessful attempts in 1981-82, 2004/05 and 2007/08, they finally tasted victory in the Kent Senior Trophy after a 4-0 win over Ashford United at Tonbridge Angels’ Longmead Stadium back in April.

Pre-season for the Becks started last Friday, when despite the threat of thunderstorms and the occasional cloudburst, over 2000 intrepid fans shoehorned themselves in Eden Park Avenue for the visit of Crystal Palace watching the hosts give a good account of themselves against professional opposition. Two down to goals from Sullay KaiKai and Reise Allassani, the Becks flung themselves a lifeline just before the break as former Dulwich winger, Nathan Paul, found the net with a sweet lob over Eagles ‘keeper David Gregory from outside the box into the top corner. However, thoughts of a comeback were dashed as two second-half strikes from KaiKai and Reise wrapped up the victory.

On Tuesday night they welcomed Guildford City but were unable to break their duck as the CoCo side edged the fixture 2-1
Beckenham Town’s ground at Eden Park Avenue (BR3 3JL) is just a short stroll from Eden Park railway station, which is amply served by frequent trains from Charing Cross, Cannon Street, London Bridge, and Lewisham. There is a modicum of parking is available on site but it is pretty much first come first served. Directions can be found on the Beckenham website by clicking here

A reminder that kick-off is the “traditional” time of 7.30 pm.

Admission is £7 Adults, £4 Concessions (60+/students) and £3 for children