Match Preview – Dulwich Hamlet v Wealdstone – Sat 30th Nov

Wealdstone travel to South London this weekend as they take on Dulwich Hamlet in a six-pointer at the top of the Ryman Premier League. Both teams sit level on points in the table, with The Stones edging ahead on goal difference, making it even more crucial that they pick up their fifth straight league victory.  

Dulwich, like their opponents, have multiple games in hand over the teams above them, and a win could see them cement their play-off spot, an impressive feat for their first season back at the Ryman’s summit. After a run of thirteen wins from fourteen games, The Hamlet have hit a slight blip of late, claiming victory in just one of their last five outings. Gavin Rose’s men crashed out of the League Cup on Tuesday night, after being thumped 5-1 away to Cray Wanderers. Four goals for the hosts in sixteen minutes either side of half-time sealed the win, before Kristian Campbell grabbed a late consolation for Dulwich.  

Wealdstone also suffered the disappointment of a mid-week League Cup exit, losing out on penalties at home to Harrow Borough. Sean Cronin’s last minute spot-kick took the tie to a shoot-out, after the visitors had twice led. Chris Moore squandered the chance to win it for The Stones at the sudden death stage, and further misses ensured Borough clinched a 4-3 victory.  

Six goals in his last four league games means Scott McGleish is the obvious choice to continue leading the line for Gordon Bartlett’s men. Wes Parker and Scott McCubbin remain sidelined, while Tom Hamblin could miss out with a hamstring injury.  

The Stones will certainly have to keep an eye on Dulwich’s Erhun Oztumer. The diminutive forward, formerly of Charlton Athletic, leads the way with sixteen goals this season.  

This game provides Wealdstone with a real acid test to see just how genuine their title credentials are. The last four league games have been somewhat of a breeze for Bartlett’s side, going into each as comfortable favourites. Saturday is different though, Dulwich match The Stones in being points-for-played two of the top three teams in the division, and three points here for the visitors will be just as impressive as the previous twelve combined.

Preview by Matt Desai

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The Club have also announced that Josh Hill and Nathan Webb have had their Ryman League contracts cancelled.