With tricky Billericay visiting the Hill this afternoon, Dulwich Hamlet return to Isthmian League action...

A real clash of the titans is in prospect today as two of the Premier Division’s form teams go head to head in the battle for vital points in the chase for promotion. Whilst the visiting Essex boys will be aiming for a sixth successive victory to equal that they achieved back in 2011 on their way to clinching the Isthmian League title, Dulwich Hamlet will be aiming for a 11th win in 12, the only blot on the copybook that defeat away to Hemel Hempstead in the FA Cup a fortnight previous. Moreover with just a point separating Dulwich from table toppers Maidstone United and AFC Hornchurch otherwise engaged in FA Cup action, Gavin Rose and his men know that the opportunity is there for them to climb ever closer to the summit.

However a team moulded in his own image by pugnacious former Hamlet supremo Craig Edwards will prove no easy task now that they have found their stride after an indifferent start to the season. That start left them languishing in the lower reaches of the division as they struggled to come to terms with their brief encounter with Conference South football that saw them relegated back from whence they came almost a year to the day that the Ryman title had been secured.

An opening day draw away to Harrow Borough thanks to Evans Kouassi’s goal did not look bad on paper, though the subsequent struggles of the Middlesex club cast a different light on the result. Three defeats and just a single victory followed in the next half dozen games, that sole triumph a best of five goals win at home to basement boys Thamesmead. Yet in all the gloom there were still rays of hope, a narrow 1-2 defeat away to current leaders Maidstone on the plastic pitch at the Gallagher and a battling 2-2 draw with one of Hamlet’s rare conquerors, AFC Hornchurch whose well-oiled machine was knocked off its stride by Billericay’s bellicose boys. Following yet another narrow defeat, this time 1-2 at home to Bognor Regis, the Blues started to pick up steam as a double header with Leiston saw them record a crushing 4-1 at home in the league before goals from Ricky Sappleton and James Robinson saw them safety through in the FA Cup against the same opponents back at the New Lodge four days later. Sappleton was on target again in midweek as he bagged a brace to secure a 2-1 win on Canvey Island. However things turned sour for the striker the following Saturday as the Blues’ three-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 1-0 defeat at Carshalton Athletic. Sappleton wasted ‘Ricay’s best chance with 5 minutes left when he sent a free header wide of goal and his frustration increased right at the death when he was shown a straight red card for a rash tackle. Bouncing back two days later Sappleton once more became the hero of the hour as another double sank Hendon away at Earlsmead.

Dreams of FA Cup glory died on the fields of Hertfordshire as St Albans City left Billericay’s hopes in tatters with a 2-0 victory at Clarence Park, much more comprehensive than the final score line might suggest. However the manner of defeat proved a much-needed catalyst for the Blues’ stuttering season as goals from Callum Dunne, Joe Benjamin, and Isaac Layne helped them to a 3-2 win over highflying Kingstonian at the New Lodge. Even better was to follow for Edwards as his team progressed to the third round of the Robert Dyas League Cup with a 7-2 home rout of local rivals AFC Hornchurch Richard Halle, Kouassi, James Robinson (with a pair), Chris Webber, long serving Glenn Poole and Layne all finding the target against opponents who included a quartet of debutants among a number of changes from their previous outing in the league.

The venerable Poole was on target once more, along with Junior Luke, his penalty getting the ball rolling as Enfield Town were beaten at Donkey Lane. Back at the New Lodge in midweek the goals were flowing once more as the Blues reached the fourth round of the Essex Senior Cup with a 5-1 demolition of Basildon United thanks to goals from Luke, Benjamin, Robinson (2) and Sean Bonnett-Johnson.

All eyes turned to the FA Trophy last Saturday and a plum tie away to Isthmian League newcomers, Guernsey. Despite a crack of dawn start from Gatwick and one or two technical hitches in the departure lounge, the Blues were in fine fettle against the Islanders in front of 1000+ crowd at Footes Lane. Poole’s penalty and a goal from Benjamin, who was brought down for the spot kick, gave ‘Ricay a 2-0 half-time lead. The Blues could have been home and hosed had it not been for a master class in the art of goalkeeping of home custodian Chris Tardif giving the hosts a lifeline as Ross Allen narrowed the gap with a fine solo goal early in the second half. However, Billericay’s lead was never truly threatened with Edwards ebullient – “We were fantastic in the game and 2-1 flattered them to be honest. We should have scored 7 or 8”

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD. At the time of writing the pitch is reported as playable and the game should go ahead as planned barring any later changes in conditions.

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 (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: £1.50