TUESDAY NIGHT MATCH PREVIEW – TOOTING AND MITCHAM UNITED (AWAY) LONDON SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL – KO 7.45PM

Frustration may reign at Champion Hill but the playoffs still remain within grasp whilst on another horizon the London Senior Cup lies tantalising close. Standing between Dulwich Hamlet and a first final in that competition since 2004 are the Terrors, long-time rivals of the Hamlet. Ironically the last time that Dulwich were triumphant in this competition it was our Surrey adversaries who were the opposition when Omari Coleman was on target in a 2-0 victory at Hendon’s now-derelict Claremont Road ground. The win came just a few days after Dulwich Hamlet had missed out on “promotion”, losing a playoff penalty shootout 5-4 after a 2-2 extra time draw at home Wealdstone with the prize of a place in the Premier Division at stake following league reorganisation and the creation of Conference North and South.

Fast forward more than a decade and Dulwich Hamlet have regained that Premier Division status whilst Tooting and Mitcham have undergone some turbulent times of their own. The high point came in the mid noughties under former Dulwich Hamlet manager Billy Smith. In the 2006/2007 season the Terrors won both the Surrey Senior Cup and London Senior Cup, but faltered at the last hurdle in pursuit of the prize of promotion, losing 2-0 at home to Hastings United in the playoff final, finishing a point shy of champions Maidstone United, a place ahead of Dover Athletic and well clear of Dulwich Hamlet back in 8th. A year later Smith’s men again finished runners-up well adrift of a Dover Athletic side who came close to racking up a century of points. This time there was to be no disappointment as Tooting secured promotion to the Premier Division by defeating Cray Wanderers 1–0 at Imperial Fields.

However, five years later all that hope had evaporated. Smith was on his way out of Imperial Fields as budget cuts with many experienced players departing in the wake of their much-loved manager. By the end of the 2011-2012 season Tooting was a shadow of the team on the field, relegated back to Division One South finishing second last, 20 points forming a chasm between them and the last place of safety. The following season saw the old rivalry resumed. On New Year’s Day at Champion Hill it was a thrilling affair, a game that saw Xavier Vidal make his first start. Though it was an open and exciting game it took half-an-hour for the first goal to arrive as Erhun Öztümer found the net but the Terrors turned round ahead after goals in quick succession from Dominic Vose and Nathan Koo-Boothe in the last few minutes of the first half. Four minutes into the second half, Dulwich levelled when Danny Carr riffled home from 15 yards. Dulwich might have gone on to clinch victory but for the heroics of Darren Behcet in the Tooting goal.

Come the Easter return match at Imperials Fields, Dulwich’s title challenge was gaining momentum whilst Tooting seemed in disarray both on and off the field with Phil Simpson their third manager s the club languished in the lower reaches of the division. Second half goals from Ellis Green and an own goal gave the Hamlet a more than comfortable derby victory as the title race took another twist following leaders Maidstone's surprise defeat at Sittingbourne, a result that allowed Dulwich to move level on points at the top.

Two seasons of mid table inertia followed and this season has followed that familiar pattern. Though the Terrors occasionally flirted with the relegation zone, they currently sit in a position of safety holding on to 16th spot, relegation no longer a threat with 23 points between them and third bottom Walton and Horsham. The season has had its lows, amongst them a 6-2 thrashing away to Guernsey, but also its highs none-more-so than their most recent outing on Saturday. Then they exacted harsh revenge over the Green Lions as former Dulwich forward Serge Makofo scored twice in a 4-1 crushing of the Channel Islanders. Joining Makofo in the ranks of those that once graced the Pink and Blue but have swapped technicolour for monochrome are defenders Jordan Wilson and Sol Patterson-Bohner, winger Ashley Robinson and shot stopper Sheikh Ceesay.

One player the Terrors fans might have wished was back in the Black and White stripes paid a visit to Imperial Fields last week, West Ham United’s Michail Antonio returning to old stamping grounds to coach local youngsters. Antonio graduated from Tooting’s youth set up with flying colours, bagged goals in each of his first four first team appearances in 2008 then was snapped up by Reading before making his way to Upton Park some 7 years later.

This evening’s game takes place at The KNK Stadium, Imperial Fields, Bishopsford Road, Morden SM4 6BF, kicking off at 7.45pm. For directions to the KNK Stadium on the unofficial Tooting and Mitcham website click here.

Please note that should the teams be level after 90 minutes, 30 minutes extra time will be played. If the teams still cannot be separated then the result will be determined by kicks from the penalty mark.

Admission Prices:

• Adults: £10
• Concessions: £5
• Under 16s: £1 (or FREE if accompanied by an adult)