THIS WEEKEND’S MATCH PREVIEW – BOGNOR REGIS TOWN (AWAY) KO 3.00 PM

Time for a tasty top of the table clash as Dulwich head for the South Coast & a meeting with the highflying Rocks.

With such a cornucopia of clubs in contention for the championship, it seems that top of the table clashes are like London buses, they turn up once a week. So it is as Dulwich make the trip to Nyewood Lane to face Jamie Howell’s Bognor Regis Town, like Dulwich building up a head of steam in their title challenge.

Never a happy hunting ground for the Hamlet, Nyewood Lane was the scene not only of Dulwich Hamlet’s 2012 playoff final defeat courtesy of Stuart Axten’s 17th minute header but also of one of the most disappointing performances of the last campaign. Then the Rocks started like a whirlwind going 2-0 up inside ten minutes, made it four before the break, proving good value for their crushing victory despite sitting back on their advantage as Dulwich struggled to gain any sort of foothold in the contest. Indeed, since transferring to the Isthmian League from the Southern League in 1981, Dulwich’s only league win at Nyewood Lane came back in the 2002/2003 season when a single goal separated the sides. However, come the end of the campaign it would be the Rocks who would be celebrating after their finished in runners-up spot behind Carshalton Athletic to complete their rise from Third Division to Premier Division in two seasons, Dulwich Hamlet finishing seven points adrift in fourth position.

Of course this was in the oft-forgotten days before playoffs and it was in one of these that Dulwich were to achieve their finest victory on Sussex soil, and easily their most “controversial”. Pipped to the title on the final day of the season by Met Police having finished on an identical number of points to their rivals but with an inferior goal difference of just one, the Rocks had finished a massive 31 pints clear of the Hamlet, Dulwich closer to the relegation zone than their playoff adversaries, having crept into the last playoff spot with a win at Walton & Hersham on the final weekend of the regular season. The fires of debate were fanned by what some perceived as the inequity of the playoff system, those fires turned into a raging inferno as Dulwich gained some national notoriety by having the temerity to upset the formbook as goals from Lewis Goncalves, Gary Drewett and Ray Powell helped Hamlet to a famous 3-1 victory. However, it all counted for naught as Leatherhead wrecked Dulwich dreams with a 4-3 in a dingdong final. 12 months later Bognor would have their revenge.

But this is history and the past is another country, coming into this Saturday’s game are two teams at the top of their form, winning games in fine fashion and scoring goals as if this was the fashionable thing to do. Since exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Wealdstone in the Fourth Qualifying Round stage just under a month ago the Rocks have won six games on the spin and have not been defeated in a Ryman League encounter since late September when they suffered a surprise defeat against Farnborough. Indeed, the only blemish of sorts on their league record of the last two months is a 2-2 draw at home to East Thurrock United when Sam Higgins nicked a point for the other Rocks with an equaliser 2 minutes from time.

Following on from their FA Cup defeat at Wealdstone Bognor began a march up the table with a 3-0 home win over Staines Town, Jason Prior showing his goal scoring touch remained undimmed as he bagged brace. The Rocks’ main marksman was again on target as East Grinstead were clinically dispatched in the FA Trophy before a blitzkrieg bombardment of fellow promotion challengers Canvey Island saw them rack up a four goal lead inside the 30 minutes, Prior claiming a hat trick as the game finished 5-0 to the Sussex side. One wonders if manager Jamie Howell spent his childhood watching Stingray, “Anything can happen in the next half-hour!”

The winning streak continued with victory over Langney Wanderers in the Sussex Senior Cup before another piece of silverware took centre stage, Bognor returning from a long day out in Somerset with a 4-1 win away to Taunton Town. The weather might have been damp and dreary but Bognor’s football was anything but as goals from Ollie Pearce, Chike Kandi, Jason Prior and Alfie Rutherford all helped them set up a home meeting with Bath City in a week’s time.

Conditions were far from ideal for the midweek trip to struggling Brentwood Town but, despite the players and fans alike taking a battering from Barney, a fortuitous goal 8 minutes from time as Ollie Pearce’s corner swung straight in allowing Bognor to move within two points of the Hamlet at the head of the pack. It all sets things up sweetly for what promises, once again, to be an enthralling encounter between two clubs with alluring football at the heart of their game.

This Saturday’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Bognor Regis Town Football Club, Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 2TY. Should fans be concerned about any potential pitch inspection they are advised to contact the home club on 01243 822325.

ADMISSION PRICES

• Adults £10 (including Senior Citizens)
• Under 18's & Students £3.00 Must show ID

Please note: There is NO reduced rate for Senior Citizens"