North vs South as Dulwich take on Thamesmead with a League Cup Final berth at stake...

It is an all Division One affair tonight at Champion Hill as Dulwich Hamlet take on a Thamesmead Town boasting a recent record of late that rivals our own.

Back in the balmy days of August when London bathed in golden Olympic glow, down in a further reaches of South London, Dulwich Hamlet were romping to victory at Bayliss Avenue, 5-0 the final score as goals Josh Turner, a Peter Adeniyi penalty, a Carl Wilson-Denis double and a promising newcomer by the name of Erhun Öztümer.

That day even the most diehard of Thamesmead fans would be hard pressed to rate his team any higher than ordinary but things have changed. Not since the 18th December have the ‘Mead been downed and that at the hands of Premier Division Cray Wanderers in a London Senior Cup tie. Since that game, Keith McMahon’s men have failed to register victory in just a single game, that in the last round of this competition when they held off the threat of Premier Division Thurrock to triumph 4-2 in a penalty shootout after 90 minutes of football had failed to produce a goal. Sandwiched around that rare draw were a plethora of fine victories, Kent Senior Cup wins at home to first holders Hythe Town, never an easy prospect when they have sights set on victory, then Ramsgate as the green army marched towards a semi-final date with either Herne Bay or Charlton Athletic, and most impressive of all, the defeat of runaway Division leaders Maldon & Tiptree. That result condemned Maldon to only their second league defeat of the season as Rob Carter grabbed the winning goal with just 5 minutes left on the clock and provided the springboard for the South London side to announce themselves as true promotion contenders. It was a remarkable turnaround for a club that seemed to be on the brink of extinction after delays in the completion of new facilities allied with poor gates threatened their very existence. Now with the revival on the pitch, the much-vaunted redevelopment seems but a whisker away. The new stand at Bayliss Avenue is now completed, houses new bars, changing rooms and elevated seating area with seats installed. The curtain is set to come down on the old clubhouse and changing rooms in the next few weeks with the power set to be switched on in the new stand two weeks into next month and the move happening a fortnight later. From dark days when the grim reaper hovered to a bright, hopeful new future, something Dulwich supporters can find inspiration from.

Meanwhile, back on the pitch, Town manager McMahon found himself rewarded for the Mead's excellent January with the Ryman One North Manager of the Month Award. In the month not long gone, the Mead won all four league games taking their tally since Boxing Day to 10 wins in a row.

Remember this game must be played to a conclusion this evening with penalties at the end of 90 minutes if need be (no extra time will be played).

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 the ground cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

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!

Unfortunately, Season Tickets are NOT valid tonight.

Programmes: £1.50