Clash of the titans in prospect at Champion Hill tonight as the table-topping Stones roll in, a game that may well decide the destiny of the title...

After a 5-0 drubbing at the Gallagher Stadium back in October that had some pessimists consigning Dulwich’s title aspirations to the dustbin, Gavin Rose’s men will need no extra motivation to close the gap on Maidstone’s top spot, a position Maidstone have held on to doggedly since reclaiming from the Hamlet by dint of superior goal difference after a 2-0 win at Burgess Hill back in January. At one point the Stones had widened the gap to nine points but Dulwich kept up the pressure on their fellow title aspirants pulling back to within a single victory after last Tuesday’s mauling of Horsham.

The fight for the Ryman League Division One South title continued on Saturday when as both won, setting the stage perfectly for this evening’s highly anticipated showdown. Maidstone United fielded debutant Jon Harley, a member of Chelsea’s squad for the 2000 FA Cup final, but struggled to beat mid-table Eastbourne Town 2-0 in front of 1,657 at the Gallagher Stadium. Shaun Welford’s penalty three minutes before halftime steadied supporters nerves but the contest remained in the balance it until the 5th minute of stoppage time, when perennial late scorer Ade Olurunda popped up to clincher the points. Meanwhile Dulwich, with still a game in hand, maintained their challenge by beating Whitstable Town 3-0 in blizzard conditions at Champion Hill as a Nyren Clunis thunderbolt broke the deadlock before Daniel Carr and Xavier Vidal made sure of a vital victory.

As tight as the title race seems now, it does not feel too long since the the Stones seemed set to steamroller their way to the sole automatic promotion position. That despite the heady distractions of a FA Trophy run that took them all the way to Halifax past runaway Isthmian Premier leaders Whitehawk and Salisbury City, similarly highflying in Blue Square South, before a narrow exit in the northern town.

Many had assumed that the Christmas programme would only serve to assert Maidstone’s title credentials but in recent weeks Dulwich’s charge has gained momentum, an unbeaten league run stretched out to 11 games whilst other pretenders to the title fell by the wayside. Meanwhile Maidstone started inexplicably dropping points. Against Worthing the Rebels were given a two goal head start before second half goals from Stuart King and Ade Olorunda saw the Stones come from 2-0 down to close out 2012 with a draw at the Gallagher Stadium. On Boxing Day, a dour game in dreadful conditions at Ramsgate ended in defeat after Warren Schulz’s last-gasp penalty gave the hosts a deserved win.

The New Year brought new hope and a 2-1 victory over surprise package Sittingbourne in front of more than 2000 fans at the Gallagher with the win augmented by a battling 4-3 win away to then third placed Hythe Town. Jake Hobbs downed a double for the hosts as the Forters cancelled out an early two-goal advantage for the Stones but the victors stepped up a gear to restore that cushion mid-way through the second half, surviving a few scares as Hobbs completed his hat trick with a quarter hour still left on the clock. The result must have been all the more painful for Hythe for bagging a brace for the Stones was Shaun Welford, a formidable presence in the vanguard, and coveted to such an extent by their opponents that they were were prepared to offer an mouth-watering package to tempt him away but to no avail.

Snow thwarted things when Dulwich and Maidstone were due to meet back in January, making the Herculean efforts of a battalion of Hamlet fans to clean several inches of the white stuff from the Champion Hill greensward. Since then both sides have had their up and downs in the chase for promotion, the Stones surprising beaten on their state of the art artificial pitch by Leatherhead, held goalless at home by Burgess Hill whilst dropping important points in tow titanic 2-2 draws with Kentish rivals Folkestone Invicta. However they bounced back from the latest of those setbacks, Invicta snatching a late equaliser at the Gallagher Stadium, as Tooting were brushed aside before Saturday’s win over Eastbourne Town.

With the campaign moving close and closer to its dénouement, Maidstone boss Jay Saunders has been strengthening his squad, particularly in the defensive areas that proved so problematic early season, completing the signing of ex-Chelsea players, the aforementioned Harley and central defender Steve Watt. Local lad Harley, who was born and bought up in Kent’s county town, joined the club after a spell as a free agent after being released by Portsmouth in January having contacted Saunders via Twitter! Coming in on loan from Dover Athletic, big Scotsman Watt made an excellent impression on Maidstone faithful with commanding defensive performances quickly becoming a terrace favourite. Suspension kept him out of the Eastbourne game but former Swansea, Ross County and Grimsby Town defender will be available to make his debut as a permanent Stones player in tonight’s crunch fixture.

In attack Saunders has a wealth of riches at his beck and call, though it must have come as a surprise to some when leading scorer Paul, 18 goals in 25 appearances, left to join Cray Wanderers on loan earlier this month. However, he can still call upon the experienced Welford, a legend in Kent football along with the enigmatic Stuart King on his day one of the deadliest marksman in the division whilst holding the likes of Ade Olurunda, a dozen goals many as a late substitute, in reserve.

Speaking to the Kentonline website ahead of Saturday’s game Saunders urged his players told to put tonight’s top-of-the-table clash to the back of their minds.

He said “The Eastbourne game is just as big and I’ve told the players that if anyone has one eye on Dulwich, to forget about it. If I see anyone after 10 or 20 minutes slacking off because they’re thinking about Tuesday, I won’t be happy.”

Saunders continued, “A lot of people are saying it’s a title decider. I’m not so sure about that, but it’s a massive game and if you can’t get yourself motivated for a night like that you shouldn’t be in football.”

This evening’s game kicks off at 7.45 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

Before the game why not enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles? Get there early as special offers on Spitfire and Hamlet Lager, both just £2.50 a pint right up until 7.30pm.

ADMISSION PRICES

• £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.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £1.50

Due to the recent adverse weather it might be a pitch inspection is required. All information regarding the status of the game will be posted on this website and through the usual channels.