THIS WEEKEND’S MATCH PREVIEW – FARNBOROUGH (HOME) KO 3.00PM

After back-to-back defeats against clubs mired in the relegation zone, Dulwich Hamlet face a do or die game against another struggler, Farnborough

Dulwich Hamlet’s promotion hopes have taken a major knock in the past seven days. First they came undone at VCD Athletic as Ricky Sappleton’s hat trick helped the Vickers to 3-2 win before Tuesday night saw another horror show with rock-bottom Lewes continuing their post New Year renaissance taking advantage of below par Dulwich display to record a much needed 3-1 win. As the promotion pack becomes ever more congested in the most open title race for many a year, the onus is on the Hamlet to rediscover that rampant form pre-Christmas that had rivals tipping them for top spot.

Rewind back to October 10th and it was that awesome ‘Amlet on display at the Rushmoor Community Stadium against the beleaguered ‘Boro’. Damian Scannell finished off an early chance as he dispatched a textbook goal from Jordan Brown’s cross before skipper Danny Waldren’s header made it 2-0 at the break. Early in the second half Ashley Carew dispatched a penalty after Scannell had been upended in the area and though there were a few wobbles after Tommy Wright’s volley found the net for the hosts, Dulwich made sure of a 4-1 win in the last moments as Dan Sweeney marked his debut, his strike taking a huge deflection to leave the Boro’ ‘keeper flatfooted.

The defeat left Farnborough deeply entrenched in the relegation zone, and though Spencer Day’s men had the advantage of goals in hand due to their belated start to the season, it would not get much better from there on in. In each of their next two outings the ‘Boro shipped a quartet of goals to fellow promotion challengers of the Hamlet, going down 4-1 at Bognor Regis Town and 4-2 at Leiston before springing four goals of their own. Unfortunately for the fight to stay alive in the Ryman League Premier Division, those four goals came against Three Bridges in the Alan Turvey Trophy, Harry Williams bagging hat trick. However, it served as a good warmup for an early six-pointer, Williams again among the scorers as ten man VCD Athletic were beaten 3-0 at Cherrywood Road.

However, victory proved a rare oasis in the desert, Harrow handing out a 3-1 reverse a few days later before Farnborough exited the FA Trophy at the first hurdle losing a penalty shoot-out at home to Bideford Town.

Back in league action, it was very much a case of close but no cigar as victory regularly proved elusive albeit by the tightest of margins. Despite taking an eighth minute lead at the Harry Abrahams Stadium through Wright, the hosts levelled quickly thanks to Rob Laney. Wright restored the visitors’ advantage but then Boro’ were blown apart by a Wingate whirlwind as three goals in an eight-minute spell gave the Blues a 4-2 lead at the interval. Though Tom Broadbent pulled a goal back at the death, it was too late to matter. More vital points lost in the relegation battle as VCD avenged defeat, Richie Graham and Donovan Simmonds goals just enough to secure the points despite Bogdan Vaštšuk pulling one back late. Former Estonian Under 19 international striker, Vaštšuk, on loan from Reading, was again on target against Needham Market slamming home a penalty. However, the Marketmen hit back to level, a share of the points not the hoped for returns.

Yet some hope must have come out of that performance. Next up a tough road trip to Rookery Hill, home of East Thurrock and at halftime a shock seemed on the cards. Not only that the free scoring Rocks attack been shut out for 45 minutes but ‘Boro led thanks to Gary MacDonald’s 23rd minute goal. With a quarter hour left that goal still separated the sides but then the Rocks unleashed the berserkers. Darren Phillis found the net for the leveller with 14 minutes left before Adam Yusuff bagged a five-minute brace sandwiching Tom Wraight’s goal as East Thurrock ran out 4-1 winners.

Somehow ‘Boro drew strength out of defeat. Seven days brought seven vital points as Vaštšuk’s goal settled a taught encounter with Hendon, Jamie White cancelled out Liam Hope’s goal to secure a draw away to Brentwood Town. White scored again two days later as Farnborough came from behind to beat Harrow Borough, Nicholas Brown making sure of a 2-1 win before the break.

It was to be a rare purple patch as three defeats on the spin sent the Boro back into a losing spiral before Vaštšuk’s goal settled the Boxing Day encounter with Burgess Hill Town. The win proved a false dawn as a Staines Town team in freefall towards the drop zone saw off Boro 2-0 at Wheatsheaf Park. The weather meant it would 18 days before Boro would play again but the rest did the team no good. Since that Staines reverse the defeats have continued apace. Kevin Krans gave Spencer Day’s team an early lead away to Grays Athletic but it was not one they could hold on to as the Essex men hit back to win 3-1. A second half rout gave Merstham a 3-0 win at Cherrywood Road, Dulwich Hamlet loanee Charlie Penny among the scorers.

A point looked within the grasp of the ‘Boro away to a Canvey Island side struggling to regain early season form but then Martin Touhy popped up ten minutes from time to pinch the points. Almost a similar scenario at title challenging Hampton & Richmond Borough as Freddie Grant cancelled out Nicke Kabamba’s early penalty with 17 minutes left. However, the lead lasted just three minutes before Brendan Kiernan put the Beavers back in front, Kabamba sealing victory two minutes from time.

Despite spending most of the game defending Farnborough came close to embarrassing another of the promotion chasers last Saturday leading 5th placed Tonbridge Angels late on only to suffer heart-breaking defeat with just three minutes of the ninety left on the clock. George Hallahan’s storming 35-yard drive had looked like giving ‘Boro a smash and grab victory but Luke Allen levelled quickly before Tom Parkinson put the Angels’ promotion push back on track with a scrappy goal on 87 minutes.

With Tuesday night’s visit of East Thurrock United falling foul of a waterlogged pitch combined with Dulwich’s defeat at the Dripping Pan, the gap between Lewes in last spot and Farnborough had closed to just a single point as things stand.

This Saturday’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

The turnstiles will be open from approximately 12.45 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? The bar will open serving a range of excellent ales including selections from local breweries such as First Team main sponsor Late Knights Brewery as well as Clarkshaws and the Brick Brewery.

ADMISSION PRICES

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (JSA), Full Time Students as well as Serving Members of the Armed Forces and all Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID if requested)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £2-00