This Evening’s Match Preview – Thamesmead Town (Home) KO 7.45pm

The League Cup has arrived early with Dulwich Hamlet entertaining Thamesmead Town in the newly renamed Alan Turvey Trophy sponsored by Robert Dyas

This should be an intriguing affair with the Mead off to a swift start in Ryman Division One North with a 100% record after winning all three of their opening games, leaving the Kent side just shy of leaders AFC Sudbury on goal difference.

After a promising preseason that included wins away to Whitstable Town, victory over Premier Division Wingate & Finchley and a battling performance away to another top level side, Grays Athletic, Thamesmead got their season off to a good start with a win away to Heybridge Swifts. Not that this was the most accomplished of victories but given sweltering conditions in deepest Essex it was one well deserved. Having trailed just after the break from a stunning free kick converted by Swifts’ Corey Davidson, the Mead hit back in somewhat fortuitous circumstances as the home ‘keeper attempt to batter out a free kick hit Tyrus Gordon-Young on the back and bounced into the empty net. Swifts’ lost a player to a red card for serious foul play turning the game in the favour of the visitors with the match decided six minutes from time as Richard Butler slid in to finish on the line after Gordon-Young’s header had struck the upright.

Butler was again on target with the winner the following Monday evening as his goal ten minutes from time put to bed the Mead’s “derby” encounter with Thurrock United, who had come so close to promotion in the playoff the previous season. The game was effectively decided in a three minute spell early in the second half. At one end, home goalie Andy Walker made a magnificent save to keep out a blistering 25 yard shot from Ross Hall before, almost immediately, Butler’s angled drive crept in at Rhys Madden’s near post. The momentum was maintained on Saturday when Thamesmead entertained newly promoted Haringey Borough, though once more they had to earn the win the hard way. In the ranks of the new boys was one Leroy Griffiths, veteran striker of a multitude of clubs, but even he struggled to break the deadlock on a day when defences dominated. At one point Butler thought he had scored after his header hit the crossbar and bounced down but with no goal line technology to fall back on, the referee found himself unable to award the “goal”. However in stoppage time the Mead found another hero in the shape of Gordon-Young as his header from a free kick saw the club’s winning run extended another game.

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 6.00 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. 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
Unfortunately Season Tickets are not valid tonight as this is a cup game, sorry.

• £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.