THIS WEEKEND’S MATCH PREVIEW – PEACEHAVEN AND TELSCOMBE (AWAY)

Dulwich’s pre-Christmas JBO sees the Hamlet off to the Sussex coast and a maiden senior visit to Piddinghoe Avenue, home of the Magpies.

After a tough introduction to the Isthmian Premier Division that included a 3-1 defeat on the fields of Champion Hill and a 5-0 demolition on a long trek up to Sussex and an away outing in Leiston, Peacehaven and Telscombe seemed to have settled nicely into the swing of things.

From hovering just over the relegation zone 19th spot after 7 games, the Magpies began to fly and, after beating Met Police 2-0 at the start of September, they suffered just two league defeats in the ensuing months to the end of November, narrowly away to highflying Hendon (2-3) and, on a rare bright day for travelling K’s fans, 2-1 at home to struggling Kingstonian.

Perhaps the only black point of that period was their exit from the FA Cup in a replay away to local rivals, East Preston of the Sussex League but given the ambition of their opponents to match the Magpies progress, that result was not perhaps as big a surprise as it might seem at first glance.

Such are the vagaries of Dame Fortune though that, having climbed back to 9th place in the table after securing a hard fought draw, thanks to Tom Burton’s 89th minute equaliser, away to Wingate and Finchley, never an easy trip, things became to fall apart. After an unbeaten run of seven league games, the Magpies’ impressive record came crashing down to earth at home to Leatherhead when a pint at least looked on the cards. However, having twice fought back from a goal behind, ten minutes of madness saw the Tanners bag three goals and Mark Knee dismissed for a second caution, which sees him sit out Saturday’s match along with Tom Fraser.

In quick succession to avenues to silverware were closed off as East Grinstead of Ryman North ended Peacehaven’s interest in the Robert Dyas Cup before last season’s beaten finalists in the FA Trophy, Gosport Borough, proved too strong in that competition, running out convincing 4-0 winners at the Sports Park.

The midweek return to league action sent the Magpies all the way up to North London and Enfield Town but still victory eluded them. The teams went into the half-time break with the game scoreless, although The Magpies might have felt aggrieved to have a goal disallowed in a tight 45 minutes. Matters were settled three minutes into the second half when the E’s Michael Kalu headed home from a poorly defended corner. Such in the nature of life in mid-table that those two defeats saw Peacehaven slip from four places away from the playoffs to four away from the drop zone in 16th!

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at The Sports Park, Piddinghoe Avenue, Peacehaven, BN10 8RJ. Telephone 01273 582471

Travel details can be found by clicking here

MATCH DAY PRICES

• £10 Adult
• £5 Over 65
• Free U18

PROGRAMMES
Programmes are £2 each