Ryman League Premier Division
Saturday 9th December 2000
Unsurprisingly last Saturday’s trip to the sodden wasteland that is North London fell prey to a postponement. Hendon’s pitch, now touted as a possible Site of Special Scientific Interest, as a result of the various types of pond life now breeding there, resembled a bog on Saturday morning. Already damaged by rain and poor drainage, further downpours on Friday were to render the pitch unplayable, giving the referee one of the easier tasks of his career in announcing the contest’s postponement. Les Cleevely had hoped to give some of his players some vital match practice in a Suburban League match at home to Met Police, but that too was a victim of the weather as the heavens opened on Saturday morning leaving huge puddles all over the pitch.
Hendon’s groundsman returns from inspecting the pitch
Forthcoming Fixtures:
On Saturday, Champion Hill will be heaving as league leaders Aldershot Town arrive in SE22. The large travelling support of the Shots should ensure a magnificent atmosphere as Dulwich attempt to gain revenge for a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Recreation Ground thanks to Gary Abbott’s debatable penalty. Indeed the redoubtable Abbott certainly enjoys playing against the Hamlet for in the corresponding fixture last season, he popped up to nod in the winner in the third minute of stoppage time after a somewhat anonymous game by his standards. Goals will certainly be on the agenda as the previous five fixtures between the new incarnation of Aldershot and the Hamlet have produced 20 goals, seven of them in a cracker in April 1999, when an Abbott, that man again, brace saw the Shots level the game at 3-3 only for Byron Harper to snatch all three points in stoppage time.
Under manager George Borg, renowned in his time as a player at Champion Hill at the end of the 70’s for his frequent appearances before the committee, the Shots have constantly challenged for the title, though often falling short in the long run. This season however they look well placed to clinch a place in the Conference following a narrow 2-1 win over Heybridge Swifts last Saturday that sent them top. However the likes of near-neighbours and deadly rivals Farnborough Town and FA Cup giant killers Canvey Island may have something to say about that.
Going into Saturday’s game, Borg has the luxury of picking from a full squad with no suspension and the only injury being the long-term knee ligament damage suffered by Grant Payne. His spot was filled by Wayne Andrews from St Albans, a speedy 22-year-old striker who has league experience with Watford and Peterborough United. His pace was instrumental in the concession of that decisive penalty back in September that ended Dulwich’s unbeaten start to the season. Elsewhere the Shots boast a wealth of experience in their line-up, none more than the custodian with the creaking legs, 38 year-old Andy Pape, still keeping the young whippersnappers out of the No 1 jersey.
After the Aldershot game, it is time for the necessary evil that is the Full Members Cup and on Tuesday evening Dulwich welcome Walton & Hersham in the Ryman League’s equivalent to the ZDS Cup. Although the Swans were relegated last season there seems to be some unwritten league rule that the two teams meet every year in some competition to ensure the success of Theo Papitis’s plan to maintain Millwall’s status as top dogs in South London. For the last three years the men from suburbia have thwarted Dulwich hopes of regaining the Surrey Senior Cup. However, the Surrey side is struggling at the wrong end of Division 1 in a pack just above the relegation slots. Player to watch – Phil Smith. On loan from Millwall, the young custodian has already made a name for himself. However not with his keeping but for scoring a goal in a recent match at Stompond Lane.
Suspensions
Missing from the Dulwich line-up on Saturday will be Declan Perkins and Oliver Hunt, both serving the second part of a three-match ban as a result of their sendings-off in the Slough game. Better news comes in the shape of Veli Hakki’s return having served a one-match suspension that saw him miss the defeat by Gravesend.
New Signings
Another new face at Champion Hill in the shape of Barbadian international, Gus Hurdle. The flamboyant and highly skilled midfielder has Football League experience with Plymouth Argyle and Brentford where he made over 100 appearance. Last season he plied his trade in the Premier Division of the Ryman League with Basingstoke where he quickly became a firm favourite with the Camrose fans. Among his other clubs he numbers Crawley Town.
He has represented Barbados in the World Cup, though not with any happy outcomes (yet!). In August of this year he was dismissed in a 7-0 defeat by the United States in a qualifying match.
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