THIS EVENING’S MATCH PREVIEW – STAINES TOWN (HOME) KO 7.45PM

Dulwich Hamlet look for revenge as the Swans swoop in on Champion Hill tonight.

Just five weeks have passed since the Hamlet departed Wheatsheaf Lane with their tails between their legs after a below par performance away to Johnson “Drax” Hippolyte’s Staines Town ended Dulwich’s unbeaten away record. Since then Gavin Rose’s men have recovered their composure and climbed back into the promotion places.

Such are the vagaries of this season’s Ryman League Premier Division tussle that in mid-November, the Swans held such a lofty position, climbing to fifth after banging in nine goals in back-to-back wins. Having failed to follow up their defeat of Dulwich as they slumped to a 3-1 reverse away to AFC Sudbury, the Swans had Canvey Island all of a flap as the slammed six goals past the shocked Seagulls, every shot seemingly drawn as if by a magnet in the home net. So rampant were the Swans, so shambolic the squabbling Seagulls, that home skipper Tambeson Eyong had to be separated from teammate Tayshan Hayden-Smith and was lucky to escape with just a caution.

Seven days later followed that win with a convincing 3-0 defeat of Emirates FA Cup heroes Merstham, the Moatsiders return to the bread and butter of the league seeing them continue to slide towards the drop zone. But for the Swans it was a momentous win as goals from Devante McKain, Kyran Wiltshire and Mohamed Bettamer saw them back in the playoff places for the first time since August. However, it proved to be a false dawn. Juts three days later it was the Swans on the wrong end of a hiding as Leatherhead went postal on their hosts at Wheatsheaf Park. A Daniel Akindayindu double sandwiching a goal from Kadell Daniel had the Tanners on top and, though QPR loanee Brandon Adams bagged a well taken brace to haul his side back into the game at 2-3, Leatherhead motored away as D’Sean Theobalds & a second from Daniel made it 5-2 at the final whistle.

The slippery slide down the table had begun. A Saturday off with no FA Trophy involvement after their first qualifying round defeat at Basingstoke Town, the Swans seemed refreshed as they took the lead away to Enfield Town, scoring through Tommy Brewer after 32 minutes. However, the Towners turned the game on its head after the break as goals from Tom Collins and Micky Parcell in the space of seven second half minutes gave the hosts the points.

There was no respite on Saturday as Havant & Waterlooville’s Hawks swooped on the sorry Swans, taking advantage of Bognor Regis Town’s heavy defeat away to Tonbridge Angels to reclaim top spot. Though only Alfie Rutherford’s third minute goal separated the sides at the interval, Havant had displayed enough control in that first 45 minutes to suggest a Staines second half revival might not be on the cards. So it proved as Rutherford added number two before goals Theo Lewis and George Barker had the visitors firmly in the driving seat. Only a late goal from Swans’ Academy prospect Dashane Dalling gave the Wheatsheaf Park faithful something to cheer but with just three minutes left on the clock it was far too late to influence the result.

Those three straight defeats now leave Drax’s side five points shy of Dulwich Hamlet in the last playoff place back in 13th place amongst the mid-table mix. Interestingly, like the Hamlet, they remain one of the most potent sides in front of goal, their 39 goals in Ryman League Premier Division games bettered only by Gavin Rose’s men (44) and goal hungry Leiston, who have found the net 45 times. Unfortunately, the goals conceded column does not make for happy reading with the Swans’ goal breached 38 times with only the defences of Leatherhead and Worthing outside the bottom four leakier.

This evening’s game takes place at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD, kicking off at 7.45pm. Main turnstiles will be open from 6.15 pm with the Greendale turnstiles open shortly after. Guests and officials are asked to enter via the Health Club reception.

Admission prices:

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions
• NB: Concessions cover Seniors - 60+, Teenagers (13-19), Unemployed (JSA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), NHS Staff, Blue Light Services, Serving Members of the Armed Forces and Full Time Students. (Please bring a form of valid ID for your concession as you might not be admitted without that)
• Under 13s FREE accompanied by a paying adult

Programmes: £2