THIS WEEKEND’S MATCH PREVIEW – LEISTON FC (AWAY) KICK-OFF 3.00 PM

Dulwich Hamlet hit the high road north heading for Victory Road, home of rival playoff hopefuls Leiston FC.

Presently sitting in eighth spot, six points adrift of the Hamlet, current incumbents of the last playoff place, the Blues come into this game having not won a game since beating Harrow Borough 2-0 at Victory Road in a midweek game 3½ weeks ago. However, that form belies a tough side whose last three games have ended in draws away to Burgess Hill Town (1-1), at home to fellow playoff contenders Billericay Town (1-1) and on the road last Saturday at Staines Town when the two teams shared four goals, the Swans salvaging a late draw with an 88th minute equaliser. Prior to that frustrating run, the Blues had lost narrowly at home to another of the aspiring playoff challengers when Tonbridge Angels left Victory Road with the full complement of points after a 2-1 win.

Leiston come into this game with just one defeat in their last eight outings, but a couple of sticky patches have cost them dear this season. Manager Richard Wilkins’ side had a difficult patch at the back end of November and into December when they failed to pick up a win in five games, before a run of five defeats from seven in February dealt a deadly blow to their promotion ambitions. Still it has not been an unsuccessful season for the Suffolk club who already surpassed the 67-point tally they have amassed in the last two seasons of Ryman League Premier Division football. Both times they finished 9th and Leiston still harbour ambitions of their highest-ever finish in their 136-year existence. In addition, they still have a Suffolk Premier Cup Final to look forward to on May 4th when they face up to National League North strugglers Lowestoft Town.

Though kindly to the Hamlet, sending Gavin Rose’s team up to Suffolk when Spring has sprung, the Ryman League fixture computer has often worked its evil machinations on Leiston sending them from their coastal outpost off on long midweek jaunts South. It was on a Tuesday night in mid-December when Leiston headed down to the Hill, a game rearranged due to Dulwich’s progression in the FA Trophy. It was night full of frustration for Dulwich Hamlet, taking more than the lion’s share of the possession, amassing a corner count of 15-3 but foiled by stout defending from the visiting Blues as well as a masterclass in the art of goalkeeping from shot stopper Ashlee Jones. All evening the Suffolk side proved themselves ones to be reckoned with, defending with determination, occasionally riding their luck and always looking to be threat on the counter. Leiston snatched an early lead as a deflected cross found Gareth Heath, unmarked on the edge of the box, the striker needing no second invitation to slam the ball past Phil Wilson. Chances went begging but just before the break Nyren Clunis latched on to a slick pass from Ashley Carew before cutting across the face of goal and finding a rare chink in Jones’ armour with a hooked drive inside the ‘keeper’s left-hand post. Dulwich spent most of the second half holding the whip hand but Jones’ was excelling himself with a number of key saves that almost set up the Blues for a late smash and grab raid before the game ended 1-1.

This Saturday's game kicks off at 3.00 pm at the LTAA, Victory Road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ

Match Day Admission Prices

• Adults £10
• Concessions £7
• Under 16s £4
• Under 10s FREE

Matchday programme £2