Should a window in the weather open then Dulwich will be entertaining Thamesmead Town this evening, as important at the bottom as it is at the top.

Of all the promoted sides Thamesmead Town have found the going toughest but whilst others have filed to drag themselves away from the clutches of the relegation trapdoor, the ‘Mead have dug deep of late to pull a bit of daylight between themselves and the basement boys. Having won just five games before the turn of the year, four of them in the league, the men in green looked set for a swift return to Isthmian Division One but as the Christmas lights came down the mini-revival began with the visit of Billericay Town to Bayliss Avenue on the January 4th. A vital point gained was gained in pulsating 3-3 draw but it could have been so much more for the hosts who had as three goal advantage by the half-hour mark only for the Essex boys to battle and snatch a share of the points with virtually the last breath as Ricky Sappleton broke local hearts with a 94th minute equaliser.

A week later another vital point was gathered as, for once, the ‘Mead defence stood firm and claimed their clean sheet of a leaky season on the road thwarting Bury Town in a goalless draw. Having kept the Suffolk men at bay for 90 minutes Thamesmead repeated the feat but claimed all the points as fellow strugglers Grays Athletic were beaten thanks to Derek Duncan’s lone striker after 69 minutes. Even better was to follow as current table toppers Maidstone United [paid a visit to Bayliss Avenue. The Stones must have been confident of rolling over their lowly opponents but they were in for one of the shocks of the season as the men in green refused to be cowed by their lofty adversaries. Two goals from Tommy Whitnell, the first to give ‘Mead the lead after 14 minutes, the second a superlative solo effort that had the long-suffering home support purring in admiration and put the tin hat on an emphatic victory. In between Sean Roberts’ blistering drive made it 2-0 at the break before a towering header from former Dulwich player Junior Baker settled nerves three minutes after Jerome Sobers had threatened to stoke the fires of a Stones’ renaissance with a goal on the hour mark. After 29 games of trying lift themselves out of the relegation zone Thamesmead were out of the bottom four for the first time this season.

However just when the fans felt fortunes were changing a trip to another of the relation threatened teams. Wingate and Finchley, the club Thamesmead had dumped into the drop zone with that midweek victory over Maidstone, leapfrogging their visitors with a 3-1 win, that despite another goal from the prolific Whitnell to cancel out an early opener from Tommy Tejan-Sie, second half goals from Adam Bolle and Ahmet Rifat settling matters. Like so many others the Thamesmead were left kicking the heels the following weekend but Saturday last their trip to Bognor Regis Town was one of the few games where the pitch passed muster after the inclement weather of late. Unfortunately for the men from the ‘Mead, the south coast beano proved anything but. Another surprise result had looked on the cards after 7 minutes when Derek Duncan sublimely curled home a free kick to give the strugglers an unlikely lead. However a brace of quick-fire goals at the end of the second half stymied Thamesmead’s hopes of ending the Rocks’ six game winning streak, James Crane and Terry Dodd bagging the goals that bagged the points.

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

The turnstiles will be open from approximately 6.00pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. As a healthy crowd is expected, why not avoid the rush late and relax. Before the game 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?

ADMISSION PRICES

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (UB40, Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present 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