Dulwich Hamlet (H) preview

The two sides go into the game separated by eight league positions and 10 points, with Dulwich sitting 9th and City in 17th.

Despite the difference in league standing, both clubs have shared relatively similar form over the previous five matches.

Gavin Rose’s side has claimed one win in the previous five, drawing two and losing the other two games.

Meanwhile, Robbie Simpson’s outfit goes into the tie off the back of one win, three draws and one defeat over the same number of matches.

The Clarets recently enjoyed a seven-game unbeaten run in the league before Hungerford Town brought the streak to an end at Bulpit Lane.

Despite the defeat, City picked up a confidence-boosting point last time out in a 0-0 draw with Chippenham Town.

Last time out…

In that game against the Bluebirds, the home side began with plenty of intensity at the EMG Inspire Stadium and forced a number of half-chances.

An early effort came after some good work from Cameron James and Chez Isaac, which led to the former blasting across the face of goal.

The game’s major moment was then to follow, with Charlie Sheringham seeing a goal chalked off for an arguable handball.

A quick free-kick led to a chipped ball into the box being chested down by the frontman before he found the bottom corner on the turn.

Despite neither initially indicating foul play, a chat between the referee and linesman following the ensuing celebrations led to the goal being ruled out.

Following the half-time break, City had another big chance to take the lead, this time James struck wide from close range after a scramble in the Chippenham box.

Town’s best chance of the game came midway through the second 45 as James was caught in possession before Jordan Young blazed over from just inside the 18-yard box.

With the chance having gone begging and City unable to break the deadlock, the sides shared the spoils.

The opposition…

As mentioned above, the Champion Hill outfit currently occupies 9th position in the Vanarama National League South.

So far this term, the Hamlet have made 22 league outings, resulting in nine wins, seven draws and six losses.

Over those games, Gavin Rose’s side has proven to be one of the most potent clubs in the division as the joint-third-highest scorers with 45 goals.

In recent months though, Dulwich have struggled to pick up wins, claiming only one since the middle of December.

Since a 2-2 draw with Tonbridge Angels on 11th December, the Hamlet have won one, drawn three and lost four in league and cup.

During the run, Saturday’s opponents exited the Buildbase FA Trophy in a penalties defeat to Plymouth Parkway at the third round stage.

In this season’s other major cup competition, Dulwich lost in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup to Bedfont Sports, 1-0.

Opposition dangerman…

With nine goals in 21 league outings for the Hamlet, Danny Mills is currently the joint-11th-top scorer in the National League South.

Having previously featured for Dartford, Welling United and Ebbsfleet United, the 30-year-old attacker has experience with a number of current National League South sides.

Aside from his non-league experience, Mills spent a number of years with Peterborough United, from where he had several loan moves to non-league.

This season, the Englishman has been in consistent form, finding the back of the net on multiple occasions throughout the season.

Mills last found the back of the net for Dulwich in late January, scoring once in their 4-1 victory over Concord Rangers.

Alongside Mills, Darren McQueen has also proven to be a danger, scoring six in 17 league appearances.

Our last meeting…

Clarets 0-2 Dulwich Hamlet, 25th September 2021

The last time the two sides met, Gavin Rose’s side left Essex with all three points after two early goals at the EMG Inspire Stadium.

It took just five minutes for the Hamlet to open the scoring, with Quade Taylor heading a corner past Jacob Marsden at the near post.

Two minutes on from the first goal and the visitors doubled their lead, with Giovanni McGregor launching a free-kick into the goal from 30 yards out.

With the Clarets having gone two goals behind early on, City were not without chances in the first half.

After a corner had been turned onto the crossbar and over, Charlie Sheringham had the home side’s best chance but headed into Charlie Grainger’s grasp from close range.

In the second half, Simeon Jackson fired just wide early on and Sheringham saw a header cleared off the line close to full-time, but City went without reward.

With all of the Clarets’ chances spurned, Dulwich saw out the 2-0 win and returned to London with three points.

Where to follow the game…

The Club will be providing live minute-by-minute coverage of the game on Twitter (@OfficialClarets) using the hashtag #CCFC.

There will also be live audio commentary from Radio Clarets.

Post-match reports, highlights and interviews will be found on the club website, social media and ClaretsTV following the game.

For those attending the game, ticket details can be found here.