It is the start of a busy few weeks for the Hamlet as they welcome Walton & Hersham to Champion Hill for a game pivotal to Dulwich’s title hopes.

It is the start of a busy few weeks for the Hamlet as they welcome Walton & Hersham to Champion Hill for a game pivotal to Dulwich’s title hopes. With all their rivals in action this evening, Maidstone entertaining Whitstable and Faversham taking on Ramsgate, victory must be regarded as essential in the wake of Saturdays’ frustrating South Coast outing to Eastbourne.

Though the Swans are floundering in the lower reaches of the table, the relegation zone seems a long way off with a healthy 14 points separating them from current basement boys Three Bridges. However, the playoff places seem just as distant with Crawley Down Gatwick, currently occupying what would be the final playoff spot, 13 points ahead of the struggling Swans whose form of late continues to frustrate their faithful.

After a promising start to the season that saw them climb up to second behind then leaders Folkestone Invicta, the Swans season imploded as they slid down the table, their poor form prompting the exit of former Dulwich custodian, Chuck Martini, from the Stompond Lane hot seat in late November in acrimonious circumstances. The departing Martini blamed financial constraints whilst others at the club, in a throwback to Corinthian ideals, took a different view with the outgoing manager’s propensity for so-called “industrial” language quoted a key reason for his leaving.

The team responded to Martini’s exit with back to back wins over Ramsgate and the Casuals to steady the ship but a four game losing streak followed by draws with struggling Horsham and Hamlet’s weekend conquerors Eastbourne Town soon had the vultures circling over Stompond Lane. A narrow victory over the Casuals eased the pain before Graeme Purdy’s 25th minute penalty shocked promotion dark horses Faversham. However, the clouds soon returned as Whitstable won 2-1 at the Lane, Purdy again on target from the spot. Indeed the former Godalming striker had been the Swans main source of goals, that one his fourth in as many games. However, it would signal the end of his and the Swans scoring for a while as scoreless stalemates at Worthing and Horsham were followed by Saturday’s 2-0 home reverse to Ramsgate. Not since Connor French’s 95th minute equaliser at Eastbourne back on the 27th January had Walton & Hersham found the net from open play.

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!

Programmes: £1.50