This weekend’s match preview - Staines Town (Home) KO 3.00pm

Toughest test of the season so far as Dulwich welcome the ante post favourite Swans to Champion Hill.

Despite plunging out of the Conference South at the end of last season, finishing rock bottom of the table 17 points shy of safety, the Swans have regrouped and regenerated during the summer with the bookies swiftly installing them as favourites for a rapid return to what is now known as the National League South for reasons know only to any rebranding consultants trousering the fees.

Some might say that shows something of a gulf between the standards of that league and the Isthmian or more points to the quality of individual that Swans manager Nicky Forster has tempted to Wheatsheaf Park. Among the talent players like winger Michael Kalu who impressed with Enfield Town, the vastly experienced central defender Darren Purse who appeared in 2001 League Cup final with Birmingham City as well as strikers Shamir Mullings, on loan from Havant and Waterlooville and Pat Cox, longterm stalwart of the Fleet Town forward line. Oh and a tricky little winger called Luke Wanadio who occasionally entranced, sometimes frustrated, the fans in his spell with Dulwich Hamlet last term. Along with all that experience Forster, whose distinguished playing career saw over a million pounds in transfer fees paid for his services over 612 league appearances and 189 goals, has mined the club’s Academy (The Cygnets, perhaps) for nuggets whilst picking up a lot of local talent for neighbouring, lower league clubs.

After all the misery of last season, when even cashstrapped Farnborough finished ahead of them and relegation was confirmed almost before the Christmas decorations had been put up let alone taken down, pre season provided welcome relief to the suffering Staines Massive. July 7th and a trip to Tooting & Mitcham’s 3G pitch held no terror as the Swans swept to victory by five goals to nil, Cox, Kalu and Wanadio all finding the net. A trip west of Slough saw Cox and Wanadio again on the scoresheet as BUrnham were beaten 2-0. Against Wealdstone, a league the previous season, Swans recovered from a Darren Purse own goal to take the game with an 89th minute penalty tucked away by midfielder Ahmed Abdulla, newly arrived from Whitehawk, following Jack Hutchinson’s leveller 12 minutes from time. Wins over Woking and a Brentford Academy XI ensued both by the odd goal in five before preseason was brought to a close with a crushing 4-0 win over Egham Town for the Magna Carta Trophy to set the Swans up for a opening day visit to the Police.

After all the anticipation the Imber Court encounter proved something of an anticlimax with neither side able to break down the other’s defence. Absent from that encounter had been Cox and his presence up front seemed to be sorely missed as the Swans fired blanks once more as they went down to James Crane’s second half decider in a midweek defeat at home to Bognor Regis Town. Finally, at the third time of asking at home to Leatherhead, the Swans achieved lift-off. Cox had served his suspension but it was another one of the newbies, Kalu, who would prove the matchwinner as Forster bagged only his second home win in charge. It had been a long wait, since January 13 when Forster had taken the helm for first time. Midweek and the Alan Turvey Trophy gave Forster the chance to blood some of those promising academians with the youngsters doing the club proud in turning over 2-0 a Hampton & Richmond side that contained much experience in the likes of goalkeeper Seb Brown, Michael Kamara, Moussa Diarra, and the much travelled Richard Pacquette.

Though the Swans might be becalmed in the sedate waters of mid table after just three games, a defence that seems as tight as the proverbial will take all Hamlet’s ingenuity to unlock. Ahead of the game Forster gave his assessment of Dulwich. Speaking to GetSurrey he stressed that Dulwich represent a hard challenge with the Swans’ manager believing Hamlet are the team to beat: "Whoever finishes above them will be where they want to be in terms of winning the league or getting a promotion place," he insisted whilst adding that Luke Wanadio was “...walking around with a big smile on his face at the prospect of playing his old club and he's a joy to have about the place."

Meanwhile Dulwich’s former Swan in the nest, Calum Willock spoke to Football Exclusives after his brace won the League Cup tie at home to Thamesmead, relishing the prospect of facing one of his old clubs.

This afternoon’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. As a very healthy crowd is expected, why not avoid the late rush and relax. Before the game 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?

ADMISSION PRICES

• Free with your Dulwich Hamlet 2014/2015 Season Ticket
• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (UB40, Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

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

Programmes: £2.00