THIS EVENING’S MATCH PREVIEW – THAMESMEAD TOWN (HOME) LONDON SENIOR CUP

Dulwich open their London Senior Cup campaign this evening as they welcome Thamesmead Town to the Hill.

Relegated from the Ryman Premier at the death after a late slump dragged them into the relegation zone, the ‘Mead have suffered mixed fortunes in their struggle to retain that status. Placed in the North Division they got off to a solid start, winning three and drawing three of their opening half dozen games.

However, that undefeated run came to a halt in the FA Cup as they went down by the odd goal in three to Ryman South neophytes, South Park. It seemed to spark a downturn in the club’s fortunes as three straight league defeats saw the Mead drift off the pace in early September.

Winning ways were not far away, though, as a triumvirate of victories against Soham Town Rangers and Great Wakering Rovers at home then on the road at Redbridge buoyed the team and kick-started the battle for promotion. Those three games also saw the ‘Mead defence unbreached and it was not until Chatham Town arrived at Bayliss Avenue last Tuesday evening that an opposition team would find the net again. It was honours even then as Chatham came from behind to bust the Thamesmead winning streak, Rob Carter giving the hosts the lead before Mead’s Spanish ‘keeper, Vicente Mansanet, finally conceded a goal for the first team with Chatham’s Austin Gacheru pouncing to prod the ball home. Remarkably, it was the first goal that Mansanet had conceded in 338 minutes of Isthmian League football.

Saturday took the ‘Mead on the road and Brightlingsea Regent, promoted from the Eastern Counties League last season. In the same steady rain that drenched the Hamlet on Canvey Island, Thamesmead were put to the sword by Regent side bolstered by the arrival on loan of Michael Brothers from Leiston who bagged one of Essex side’s five goals and was instrumental in a number of the others. Though Thamesmead found themselves a goal down after just five minutes then two behind shortly before the break, most of the damage was done late on as they tried to recover the game, quick-fire goals in the 76th and 78th minutes killing off any revival before Regent ended a fifth five minutes from time.

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 6.30 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. Unfortunately the bar facilities are unavailable tonight due to a private function. By way of compensation, match day admission prices have been halved by agreement with our guests from Thamesmead Town. A reminder that as this is a cup-tie Season Tickets will not be valid tonight, sorry.

ADMISSION PRICES

• £5 for Adults
• £2 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: £2.00