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THIS AFTERNOON'S MATCH PREVIEW - MERSTHAM (HOME) KO 3.00 PM
03.04.10
STOP PRESS: PITCH INSPECTION SCHEDULED FOR 12 NOON. MATCH IS ON SUBJECT TO NO FURTHER HEAVY RAIN.
A few disappointing defeats in recent weeks may have plunged the Hamlet in to the lower depths of the table, but today may be a different kettle of metaphorical fish as opponents Merstham have mirrored Dulwich's dramatic fall from play off hunting grace into a scrappy and ugly slog to keep off the late grasps of relegation.
Indeed, it will the battle of the divisions out-of-form sides, as Merstham have lost 5 of their last 8 away league games, while Dulwich can reveal an identical statistic but for their home record instead. Merstham have in fact conceded 17 goals in that spell, in which they've won only a single game.
Reggie Savage is the only former Pink 'n' Blue in their ranks, although a greater threat may come from former Worthing striker Gavin Gordon, the colossal centre forward bagging a match winning hat trick against Whitstable on the 27th March.
The Hamlet's last encounter with Graeme Banyard's side came back in December 2009, in what proved to be Luke Hickie's last appearance in Dulwich colours, when Justin Bowen marked his recent return to the Pink 'n' Blues with an equalising goal to cancel out Billy Marshall's first half strike.
Billy Chattaway, Junior Kadi and Frankie Sawyer could all get a re-call to the starting XI after sitting out the last match on the bench. Roy Odiaka may also be called up after getting his first goal for the first team against Leatherhead last weekend.
Today's other fixtures in Ryman Division One South:
Ashford Town v Leatherhead (Expecting to play)
Chatham Town v Walton Casuals
Chipstead v Horsham YMCA
Eastbourne Town v Ramsgate
Fleet Town v Sittingbourne (Playing following pitch inspection)
Metropolitan Police v Burgess Hill Town (Postponed)
Walton & Hersham v Folkestone Invicta (Postponed)
Whitstable Town v Godalming Town
Worthing v Croydon Athletic
Kick off for this afternoon's encounter is at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill. Following overnight rain a pitch inspection has been scheduled for 12 noon. Updates will be posted as they are received.
© Richard Caldecourt