A busy week for Dulwich Hamlet kicks off this evening at Eden Park Avenue as Gavin Rose takes his team on the short trip down to Beckenham Town.

This is the first of five pre-season matches in eight gruelling days that will culminate in the return of Daniel Carr to Champion Hill, albeit under new management as a Huddersfield Town player.

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. Until recently, they had been a perennial stop on Dulwich Hamlet’s pre-season preamble down the years. However, it has not been since July 2009 when a greenhorn Gavin Rose, newly installed in the Hamlet hot seat took his new charges down the Elmer’s End Road to his old stamping grounds. This was full-blooded match, played at full throttle against a Beckenham Town boasting the likes of ex-Millwall midfielder Charley Hearn, former Tooting striker Durrand Jemmott; erstwhile Hamlet left back Michael Ebanks and a host of fresh blood transfused into an ambitious outfit from fellow Kent Leaguers Orpington Town. Tackles were not shirked and chances were plenty, the crowd more than enthused by a glut of goals as Dulwich ran out 3-2 winners, taking the lead through Jamie Findlay before falling behind only to find salvation courtesy of Junior Kadi’s Deadeye Dick dispatch of a pair of free kicks, though the second owed more than a little to a wicked deflection off Alex Tiesse.

This season’s encounter promises to be as testing as that after the Becks gave Kentish neighbours Bromley a tough workout in blistering midday heat, the Conference South side running out 3-2 winners but not before striker Alfie Nunn had bagged a brace.

Pitch problems prevented a rematch last season but pictures of the Eden Park greensward reveal a turf smooth enough to play billiards upon, something that should suit the Rose footballing philosophy to a tee. With a game against Holmesdale FC the following night, the game will give the Hamlet management ample chance to mix and match and impressive looking squad which bodes well for the coming season despite the generous odds quoted by one bookmaker.

Beckenham Town’s ground at Eden Park Avenue (BR3 3JL), 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 Prices

• Adults: £5
• Concessions: £3