THIS EVENINGS MATCH PREVIEW – LEISTON FC (RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION) KO 7.45PM

Live at Champion Hill, it’s the clash of the week as Dulwich Hamlet take on Leiston with both sides looking for vital points in the race for the title

Whilst Dulwich Hamlet might have found themselves somewhat side-tracked in recent weeks by their quest for FA Trophy glory, the battle for promotion to National League South has become ever more congested. With Dulwich beaten in their last two outings in the Isthmian League, 1-0 away to Harrow Borough and by the same score at home to a Needham Market side fighting its way out of the relegation maelstrom, the emphasis on Gavin Rose’s men is to reinforce their promotion challenge with victory this evening.

Those back-to-back reverses allowed Tonbridge Angels to sneak into top spot on goal difference ahead of the Hamlet after cancelling out a Charlie Penny double to share the points at Merstham. Meanwhile Leiston’s own promotion challenge may have faltered, league leaders less than a couple of months ago, a run of just one league win in eight games has seen the Blues slither back down into eighth spot. Yet such is the competitiveness of this campaign, that even such a poor run of results might have eroded the advantage at the head of the field but has barely dented their position among the herd in the promotion stakes.

The Blues certainly set the pace at the start of the current campaign, beaten just twice in their opening eleven league games to install themselves as early frontrunners. In that time, they also made good progress in the hunt for silverware, reaching the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup before being ousted from that competition by National League North side Gloucester City. In the FA Trophy, a fortnight after disposing of Worthing on their new artificial pitch at Woodside Road, the Blues were dumped out when Ben King gave the Blues the Blues as he bagged a last minute winner for Ryman Division One North side Corinthian-Casuals at Victory Road.

That Trophy defeat seemed to trigger a malaise in the momentum of Leiston. Already knocked off top spot before Sam Page’s goal for Kingstonian condemned the Blues to defeat on the road, the loss to the Casuals signalled a barren patch ahead. Coincidently that Kingsmeadow reverse combined with Dulwich’s win underwater at Canvey Island, saw the Hamlet attain the summit. However, in the five games since that Trophy exit, Leiston have managed a sole win, that by a slender 2-1 against Ryman Division One North opposition in the Alan Turvey Trophy Round of 16 as Gareth Heath saw off the Great Wakering Rovers pretenders with an 86th minute match winner.

League form has been below par with Blues failing to score away to stubborn Wingate & Finchley who seized the points with the only goal of the game thanks to Alfie Bartram. Similarly, at VCD Athletic, picking up the pace in the relegation boondocks, the Leiston attack was misfiring on all cylinders as the game finished goalless. On returning to Victory Road, the Leiston were victims of a late smash and grab raid from the Met Police in the Battle of the Blues as, with the game deadlocked at 1-1 in the dying stages, Billy Crook nodded on a free kick for Joe Turner to put away a free header & seal the three points.

On to last Saturday and surely a trip to Lewes, already cast adrift at the foot of the table, would provide much needed relief for the win hungry Blues. However, it was not to be. Five minutes gone and Joe Francis hammered home a cross to put Leiston in the driving seat. Defending stoutly the Blues looked to have done just enough to make sure of that long hoped-for victory. Yet in very last minute James Fraser managed to hustle home an equaliser amidst an almighty goalmouth mêlée and despite the best efforts of custodian Ashlee Jones to keep the ball at bay.

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 why not 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 (JSA), Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blues 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