News Story

THIS AFTERNOON'S PREVIEW - FOLKESTONE INVICTA (HOME) KO 3.00 PM

11.04.09

Season's end is but a fortnight away but for Dulwich Hamlet and this afternoon's opponents, Folkestone Invicta, the thought is that it can not come soon enough. Dulwich's season has been frustrating enough what with points deducted, player upheavals, promising cup runs frustratingly thwarted and a plethora of draws that had they been turned in victories might have seen Craig Edwards's men still challenging amongst the play-off contenders. Still it has been a pleasant stroll in the park compared to the turmoil that has rocked the Buzzlines Stadium since they were relegated from the Premier Division at the end of last term. Fancied among the frontrunners for a speedy return to the upper echelons of the Isthmian League in the footsteps of their Kentish rivals, Dover Athletic, Invicta made a rapid fire start to the task, losing just once in their opening nine games that away to another of the promotion favourites, Walton & Hersham. Amongst those victories was a comprehensive, on the field if not the scoreboard, defeat of a disjointed Dulwich on Kentish soil. That afternoon an astute free lick, quickly taken by James Dryden and Andy Pugh's second half solo effort wrapped up the points but Dulwich were a shadow of a team that day, something Edwards and his management team will keen to impress on this afternoon's squad as goes seeking vengeance for that jaded performance.

Then in October new filtered through that the club had serious financial problems, with match revenue slumping and costs spiralling. Drastic action was called for off the field but on it the announcement seemed almost to ring as the death knell of championship hopes.

Keeping a tight rein on finances meant key players became luxury items the straitened club could no longer afford. Amongst though departing were attacking midfielder Jimmy Corbett and goalkeeper Charlie Mitten, whilst striker Jimmy Dryden slapped in a transfer request.

Six games passed without victory before a single goal snatched a win at Walton Casuals. But that was but an oasis in the desert of despair. Another four games passed before another single goal victory at home to struggling county rivals, Whitstable Town. However promising news came on the financial side as the club announced agreement had been reached with the tax man regarding outstanding payments. More good news for the long-suffering supporters as Dryden sat down for clear-the-air talks with boss Neil Cugley and after much discussion agreed to pull his transfer request. However with a much changed squad it was a frustrating struggle for Invicta as February went by with but a single win, that at Stompond Lane, home of Walton and Hersham, though every defeat of a maddening month was by 1-2 score line!. March started with the visit of Cray, topping the table, and staying there after a 3-1 victory but Invicta finally found a run of form as the next three games were won the last by a whopping 8-2 away to whipping boys Crowborough Athletic where promising Gillingham youngster, Jacob Arnold-Smith, rattled home a hat trick. However the run came to an end in last Saturday when Kingstonian won 2-0 at the Buzzlines to keep the battle at the summit with Cray Wanderers on a knife-edge.

perhaps a sign of the cataclysm that has struck the Invicta squad is to see that just four players that played against Dulwich back in the early days of the season featured against Crowborough, Liam Friend, Michael Everitt, Jimmy Jackson and Dryden. Of the Dulwich side that day, a number have gone their way with just Jamie Lunan, Peter Martin, Scott Simpson, Mo Coly and Cedric Ngakam, the latter two making their debuts then, remaining at Champion Hill of those who played in the game. All are likely to feature in this afternoon's encounter with both clubs looking to youth and the future, Invicta's youngsters already learning the ropes; Dulwich's champing at the bit for their opportunity to arise. This season may be dead but here lie the foundations of next season's challenge for both sides, see it at Champion Hill first – kickoff 3.00 pm

Please note that East Dulwich Station is closed this weekend due to engineering works with a replacement bus service in operation from Tulse Hill in the South and London Bridge in the North. Please be aware if travelling on the replacement bus from Tulse Hill, it may not directly serve East Dulwich Station and instead drop you at the far end of Marlborough Grove.

Season's end is but a fortnight away but for Dulwich Hamlet and this afternoon's opponents, Folkestone Invicta, the thought is that is can not come soon enough. Dulwich's season has been frustrating enough what with points deducted, player upheavals, promising cup runs frustratingly thwarted and a plethora of draws that had they been turned in victories might have seen Craig Edwards's men still challenging amongst the play-off contenders. Still it has been a pleasant stroll in the park compared to the turmoil that has rocked the Buzzlines Stadium since they were relegated from the Premier Division at the end of last term. Fancied among the frontrunners for a speedy return to the upper echelons of the Isthmian League in the footsteps of their Kentish rivals, Dover Athletic, Invicta made a rapid fire start to the task, losing just once in their opening nine games that away to another of the promotion favourites, Walton & Hersham. Amongst those victories was a comprehensive, on the field if not the scoreboard, defeat of a disjointed Dulwich on Kentish soil. That afternoon an astute free lick, quickly taken by James Dryden and Andy Pugh's second half solo effort wrapped up the points but Dulwich were a shadow of a team that day, something Edwards and his management team will keen to impress on this afternoon's squad as goes seeking vengeance for that jaded performance.