THIS SATURDAY’S MATCH PREVIEW – FOLKESTONE INVICTA (HOME) KICK-OFF 3.00 PM

All back to Champion Hill as Dulwich Hamlet look to put recent frustrations behind them when they face Folkestone Invicta.

Neil Cugley’s men arrived in the Ryman Premier Division this season as undisputed champions of Division One South after a resounding charge to that title. With a 16-point gap between them and nearest challengers Dorking Wanderers when Walton & Hersham came to visit Cheriton Road, they needed just three points from their remaining six games to make certain of the silverware. However, it took just 90 minutes to confirm the inevitable as a six goal demolition of the sorry Swans in front of 1545 saw Invicta crowned champions.

Preseason proved less than productive with Invicta registering just one win in eight outings leaving fans facing the campaign proper with a sense of trepidation. That unease proved unjustified as life at the top table proved sweet in the early games, Harrow Borough devoured at Cheriton Road as second half goals from Ben Pattie, Scott Heard and Ian Draycott made sure of a categorical 3-0 victory. A trip to Staines Town might have seemed daunting after the Swans’ day one demolition of the Met Police (6-1 at Imber Court) but, after Pattie had made a third minute breakthrough, the Invicta defence proved impenetrable, Josh Vincent adding a second goal a quarter hour from time to maintain the club’s 100% record. That defence was finally breached 13 minutes into Invicta’s visit to Havant & Waterlooville, the big spending promotion favourites taking the lead when one of the Hawks’ prizes captured from Bognor Regis Town, Alfie Rutherford struck home from 8 yards out. With Invicta struggling to produce an attack of note that goal proved enough to secure the points for the hosts.

That defeat marked the start of a frustrating run of results for the Kent side as the goals dried up. A steamy Tuesday night in Folkestone saw the points shared with Merstham in a game of much endeavour but little end result. That scoreless draw brought to an end Invicta’s run of 16 successive home victories. The following Saturday Needham Market made the long trip down from Suffolk and once more Invicta drew a blank, the goal drought extended to a third game. This time there was not even the consolation of a point as Reece Dobson headed home the match winner early in the first half.

If the Folkestone faithful had found themselves starved of goals of late, a trip to Burgess Hill Town did much to remedy that though with the Hillians going goal crazy themselves that feats must have left a bitter taste in fans’ mouths. It had all started so well when Ronnie Dolan’s deceptive free kick found the back of the Burgess Hill net but the lead would last just three minutes before Tyrell Richardson-Brown tucked home a low cross to make it one apiece. Just after the hour mark the Hillians took the lead for the first time when Leon Redwood’s free kick found its target but again Invicta rallied as leading scorer Draycott headed in at the far post with 15 minutes left. However, as Dulwich Hamlet found to their cost, Burgess Hill fight to the death going 3-2 through Dan Pearse with nine minutes left on the clock. Deep into stoppage time the scoring was completed as Nat Blanks’ back pass beat Tim Roberts in goal to make it 4-2 to the hosts at the final whistle.

Attention now turned to the FA Cup with North Greenford provided a tough hurdle to negotiate at Cheriton Road. Draycott bagged an early second half goal but with Anthony O’Connor levelling for the visitors there were a few nervous moments before club stalwart Carl Rook restored the lead and Draycott completed his brace with four minutes to send Invicta through. That game was the start of five straight home games. Enfield Town were beaten 2-0 in the Ryman League a week later a Jonathan Muleba own goal breaking the deadlock seconds before the halftime whistle and the prolific Draycott making sure of the points midway through the second half. Highflying Tonbridge Angels were next to pay a call, this time in the Alan Turvey Trophy. That tie looked to be heading for the lottery of penalties until Luke Blewden spared the travellers that agony with 83rd minute winner. Four days later and the magic of the FA Cup engulfed Cheriton Road. Visitors Waltham Forest of the Essex Senior may have been two steps below their hosts but with Invicta narrowly ahead 2-1 and reduced to ten men after Dolan’s straight red on 75 minutes, they were almost two steps from heaven. Having equalised through Rheo Josephs on the brink of halftime following Scott Heard’s early opener, Forest were never out of contention even when Draycott restored the Invicta advantage just after the hour mark. Dolan’s dismissal lit flames of hope in the Forest camp but time proved their enemy as chances came and went before, deep into stoppage time, the tie was settled by 16-year-old substitute Euan Sahadow and his poached finish.

The return to the Ryman League fray in midweek saw Folkestone attract their biggest gate of the season so far to Cheriton Road, 447, though that may have had a little something to do with the presence in the opposition dug out of one Jimmy Bullard. Leatherhead’s coup in naming the former “I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!” star and erstwhile professional football had certainly put the bums on seats but could he cut it in the hot seat. Leatherhead went into the game second from bottom in the Ryman League Premier Division table with Bullard wasting no time in bringing new players aboard. It was one of these –forward Ben Francis brought down the usual pipeline from Dartford – that gave the Tanners a 58th minute lead. However, a last gasp goal from the ever-reliable Draycott, his 7th of the campaign, left Bullard with a taste in his mouth worse perhaps than anything he’d experienced in his bush tucker trials.

That share of the points left Invicta still in seventh spot, three points adrift of Bognor Regis in the last playoff position and one point clear of Dulwich Hamlet currently occupying 10th place.

This afternoon’s game takes place at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD, kicking off at 3.00pm. Main turnstiles will be open from 1.00 pm with the Greendale turnstiles also open from 2pm. Guests and officials are asked to enter via the Health Club reception which Season Ticket holders may also use on display of their season ticket.

Admission prices:

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions
• NB: Concessions cover Seniors - 60+, Teenagers (13-19), Unemployed (JSA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), NHS Staff, Blue Light Services, Serving Members of the Armed Forces and Full Time Students. (Please bring a form of valid ID for your concession as you might not be admitted without that)
• Under 13s FREE accompanied by a paying adult