THIS WEEKEND’S MATCH PREVIEW – HENDON (AWAY) KO 3.00PM

Dulwich Hamlet head north to Earlsmead, where Hendon await, with a 100% record to maintain.

A few months ago this might have been a playoff final but as summer begins to fade into autumn it is just the small matter of three points that are at stake in this early season encounter. Already Dulwich have marked the cards of many with back to back wins over both Canvey Island and Merstham but Gary McCann’s Green Army have themselves started confidently.

After a preseason that seemed not to augur well with wins over Tring Athletic, Northwood and a QPR XI in McCann’s well-deserved testimonial match countered by a heavy defeat in the Isthmian League Charity Shield (4-0 away to Maidstone United), the Greens went into the season opener away to Grays Athletic with perhaps a little trepidation. Yet despite missed a plethora of players due to a variety of reasons, Hendon makeshift starting XI took to the difficult Aveley pitch, weathering an early Grays onslaught before Aaron Morgan slotted home the opener before the break. However fate was not on their side and Grays found themselves the beneficiaries of a somewhat fortuitous equaliser when Sam Flegg’s attempted clearance turned into a barnstormer of a shot to gift the hosts an equaliser.

Tuesday night saw Hendon entertain Middlesex rivals Enfield Town with the Towners holding the Indian sign over their hosts after six wins in their previous six encounters. However come the night that man Morgan was at the centre of things once more as the Greens finally picked off their bogey team. However it was not without controversy as, having spanked home the 22nd minute penalty that decided the game, Morgan found himself heading for an early bath before the break as he tussled off the ball with defender Claudiu Vilcu (Ed’s note: check spelling) who had earlier given away the spot kick. Despite their numerical superiority for more than half the match Enfield Town rarely threatened and it was with some ease that Hendon clinched the win.

Morgan will be back in the home line up for Saturday with his suspension for that dismissal yet to kick in whilst Dulwich will have Albert Jarrett available again after his suspension was completed. Meanwhile wingman Nyren Clunis looks set to hit a landmark appearance after Tuesday’s win at Merstham took his tally to 249 for the Hamlet.

This weekend’s game kicks off at 3pm at Harrow Borough FC, Earlsmead, Carlyon Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 8SS. Directions to the ground can be found here

Match Day Admission Prices

• Adult: £10
• Senior Citizen: £5
• Student (with valid NUS): £5
• Under 16: £1