After all the excitement of the FA Cup over the last two games, this weekend we head back to the normality of the League and the visit of Dulwich Hamlet. 

Our opponents, now back at their home ground at Champion Hill and managed by Gavin Rose are one of the best supported teams in Non League Football with average attendances of around 1700. Whether this means we can expect a larger influx of away supporters to aid our own gate this weekend I am not sure but it would be nice to see a bumper crowd for our 100 years at Hardenhuish Park celebrations. 

One of the strangest teams in the league Dulwich, they come into this game off the back of a 6-1 hammering of Bognor Regis in the FA Cup however, they have been defeated in every single one of their last 4 league games, the most recent of them throwing away a two goal lead to then bottom of the table Hungerford to lose 3-2 in the dying minutes. This is by no means a reason to take them lightly, they currently lie 12th in the table, one point above ourselves and with a positive goal difference of 1. They have picked up 4 wins and most notably among those wins, they are the only team to hand defeat to Wealdstone this season who are currently walking through the National League South and looking like the early Champions elect. 

Dulwich boast a plethora of attacking talent in their side with 6 ft 4, free scoring centre forward Danny Mills bound to be one to watch. Dulwich as we know are a strong, physically challenging side who like to get the ball down and play but at the same time are incredibly dangerous from set pieces, particularly corners and free kicks of which we need to tighten up for the game on Saturday, nothing cheap and nice and strong in our own box. Expect to see the same bodies on the line approach that our defence has employed to be so mean this season. As well as Mills, Dulwich also have Dipo Akinyemi, another big striker with an eye to goal and signed from Wealdstone Jeffery Monakana, a winger that will seek to whip the ball into the big boys in the middle and cause problems. 

For ourselves, assuming that we have nothing more than a little fatigue from Tuesday's exploits we have nothing new to report on the injury front. Elias Youssef is still working his way back from a knock, as is Dave Pratt who is struggling with a tight hamstring and a small issue with his lower back. Rhys Tyler was present Tuesday for a light running session before the game and seemed to come through that with flying colours, here is hoping that Rhys can find his way back to fitness soon as he is an absolute asset when fit. Chatting with Will Richards on Saturday and the cast is off but he is still a little way from fitness approximately 3-4 weeks but we know what Will is like, the second he feels fit he will declare it, hates being out of action. On the bright side as well we have Will Puddy available for selection again after his recent suspension and his experience will be vital back there as we seek to tighten our defence and become nice and stingy at the back again. 

All in all, it's a tricky game for Chippenham, but with the game being at home, the form going our way I will predict a tight affair but Chippenham to sneak a win against our visitors from the Hamlet. Going for a 2-1 win for the home side and Jarvis to notch after breaking his recent slump with a little good fortune on Tuesday. He was unstoppable in the replay and had his fingers over damn near everything good Chippenham produced, clearly responding well to the gaffer telling him to stand up and fight hard for what is his. I back Jarv to show us the Jarv that banged 20+ goals last season and really strike up a solid partnership with Zebroski. 

Let's also not forget the Book Signing at 11am at the Museum in Chippenham High Street, it would be lovely to see as many there as possible to meet with our Wembley team, grab your copy of the book and chat with the lads that took us all the way to the twin towers some 20 years ago! The signing continues at 1.30 at Hardenhuish Park and the more support we can lend to this, the better. 

COYMB!! 

Last edited by TheVoice (27/9/2019 10:25 AM)