THIS EVENING’S MATCH PREVIEW – LOWESTOFT TOWN (AWAY) KO 7.45PM

Dulwich Hamlet make the long trek up to Crown Meadow as they prepare to defend their unbeaten away record at Lowestoft Town.

The Trawler Boys come into tonight’s contest just a point ahead of the Hamlet but with back-to-back wins over the Essex boys of Grays Athletic and Harlow Town have latterly moved ahead of Dulwich in an increasingly congested battle for the playoff spots.

On Saturday, in front of over 500 fans, Jake Reed’s second half hat trick was instrumental in ensuring Lowestoft bagged their first home win on their return to the Ryman League Premier Division following relegation from National League North. Most of the first action was overhead with lightning flashing, thunder cracking and the rain torrential. Indeed, so terrible were the elements the game might have been abandoned or so it seemed. However, the contest survived the deluge and after a scoreless first half, the Trawler Boys kicked into action. On 50 minutes Ryan Jarvis dinked in a neat finish before Reed set about his personal duel with the Hawks’ defence. Four minutes later he rounded Harlow’s ‘keeper for his first, on 72 minutes he added his second with a poacher’s finish from close range repeating the trick at the death as he finished off a tidy move tucking the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

After a stuttering start to the campaign, this was a welcome victory to add to three on the road. The first of these had come on the opening day when Chris Henderson’s double had helped Lowestoft to a 3-1 win away to Bognor Regis Town. However, the next two outings, both at Crown Meadow, yielded just a point – sharing the spoils with Needham Market before going down to Nathan Elder’s late goal as Tonbridge Angels snatched a single goal triumph. A rebound saw them master the notorious Billericay pitch with Reed scoring the only goal of the game there but the boot was on the other foot as Jason Prior’s sole goal saw Lowestoft Town defeated at Havant & Waterlooville. Late pain against AFC Sudbury followed, Joe Marsden having put Town 2-1 up with six minutes to play, earlier goals from Henderson and Sudbury Craig Parker having cancelled each other out. Moments after that goal Henderson had the chance to seal the points but Marcus Garnham produced a wonderful save to keep out his spot kick and deep in stoppage time ex Trawlerboy Robert Eagle came back to haunt his former club with a 95th minute equaliser following a goalmouth scramble.

The malaise seemed to carry over into the FA Cup encounter with Histon, a club without a win in the Southern League Division One Central. Injuries and unavailability plagued the Lowestoft selection with TWO goalkeepers named amongst the four subs on the bench. However, it was a lacklustre display with Histon making confident progress, scoring twice in a second half that also saw Henderson dismissed after a second caution. Defeat at Staines Town in the Ryman League, Lowestoft taking the lead through Reed but surrendering that advantage in the second half as “have boots will play” striker Jefferson Louis levelled and Max Worsfold won it with 20 minutes left. Goodbye to the Alan Turvey Trophy too as Sam Bantick’s double for AFC Sudbury, sandwiching Joel Glover’s leveller, meant defeat on the road.

The tide seemed to be turning at Wingate and Finchley but with the Trawler Boys leading thanks to Michael Spillane penalty the hosts snatched a last gasp equaliser though Sean Cronin’s 89th minute header. However, fortune was on their side away to Grays Athletic. With the game finely poised at 0-0 approaching the break two goals in as many minutes turned the contest on its head, Jack Marsden bagging them both. Victory was sealed in the second half with Reed adding to his growing tally as he capitalised on poor defending to smack in a third.

Tonight’s game takes place at Crown Meadow, Love Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2PA

Admission Prices:

• Adults: £11.00
• Concessions: £8.00
• Child (U16): £2.00