Saturday’s thrilling climax to the regular season brought disappointment and relief in equal dollops both to Bognor Regis Town and to Dulwich Hamlet, those differing emotions supplied by a game over which neither team had influence. The Rocks’ weekend remit was to win by a minimum of four clear goals whilst hoping that Enfield Town would overturn Hampton & Richmond at the Beveree. By contrast Dulwich’s fate was in their own hands with a point or more away to Needham Market but when they found themselves down to a brace of Luke Ingram goals in Suffolk, all attention turned to the Beavers’ battle with the Towners. Though Enfield Town had the opportunities to flatten Hampton’s champagne in front of an astonishing crowd of 2376, some 1500 more than their previous best, it was not to be as the game finished scoreless. At Bognor Regis the hosts romped to a 4-0 against Hendon, the ubiquitous Jason Prior bagging a brace to take his tally for the season into the roaring 40’s. Had Enfield broken through just the once, the Rocks would have been deserved champions on goal difference alone and by the narrowest of margins. By turns the result provided relief for Gavin Rose and his men, news of Enfield’s failure to win confirming Dulwich’s place in the playoff. This despite an under par performance as the game at Needham Market ended 2-1. Dipo Akinyemi halved the deficit before a Matt Drage cross was deflected against the crossbar late on as the Hamlet belatedly found their rhythm.

The form guide might favour Bognor Regis Town, winners of 10 of their last 13 games in little more than a month to take them to within touching distance of the Ryman League Premier Division title. The Rocks found themselves playing catch-up after carrying the Isthmian League standard all the way to the semi-final of the FA Trophy, having disposed of higher league opposition in the shape Maidstone United, Altrincham, Sutton United and Torquay United on the way before losing out 3-1 on aggregate to National League highflyers Grimsby Town. Three days after the arduous journey back from the Mariners work on the fixture backlog began in earnest. Four games in seven days over the Easter weekend produced four wins, three by the odd goal. A three-day break then back into action away at Enfield Town and fans feared the fatigue might be taking its toll. Despite marksman supreme Jason Prior giving the travelling Rocks the lead at Enfield Town, quick-fire goals from the in-form Corey Whitely and Mark Kirkby turned that game in favour of the Towners before the break as Bognor went down 2-1.

More pain for the Rocks two days later as, in front of a crowd of 1914, Dulwich Hamlet completed the double over Jamie Howell’s side as the men in Pink and Blue put in one of their most complete performances of the season. Dulwich had by far the better of the openings in the first half but it was not until four minutes before the interval that the breakthrough came. A Dulwich corner was cleared as far as Nyren Clunis, who drove in a measured shot aimed for the far corner. Bognor ‘keeper Grant Smith might well have had it covered but Matt Drage intervened, meeting the ball with a glancing header that wrong-footed Smith and landed smack bang in the middle of the net. Bognor rallied at the start of the second half with James Robson denied an equaliser as his header was kicked off the line. However, Dulwich were soon back on the attack and Dipo Akinyemi should have made it two nil only to roll the ball wide after leaving Smith for dead. Unruffled by that lost opportunity Akinyemi atoned with a superb second. Outpacing his marker on the outside Akinyemi shot low past the keeper with his left foot from a narrow angle. Composed defending from the Hamlet, in particular Ethan Pinnock dealing with the long-range trebuchet launched throws of Gary Charman, saw Dulwich Hamlet’s promotion dreams reborn.

For Bognor Regis it was another journey up to town two days later as they faced a third promotion hopeful in just five days. Monday saw the Rocks at Kingstonian and it seemed as the title dreams had been well and truly extinguished as a double from K’s André McCollin saw Bognor depart Kingsmeadow pointless after a third straight loss. Yet on a damp Wednesday the spark hope was relit in the Sussex derby at Burgess Hill Town. As if imbued with some magic elixir the Rocks roared into a 3-0 lead by the 31st minute as Jason Prior slammed home a penalty then bulleted a header past Josh James in the Hillians goal before Darryl Wollers volleyed home to make it 3-0. Sparing the horses for much of the second half on the back of that Bognor Blitz, Bognor contained their opponents’ threats before James Crane made it 4-0 with five minutes left on the clock.

For Bognor it was just the fillip they needed – five games left, five to win and the title might just be theirs. The Rocks proved rampant. Against Leatherhead the travellers from Surrey did themselves no favours after Adam Green was dismissed for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity, the ten man Tanners meekly surrendering as Bognor went to town. Sami El-Abd scrambled home the opener from the resultant free kick, Stuart Green’s strike made it two before the break with the second half a cakewalk as James Crane and an Ollie Pearce double rounded off a 5-0 victory. A merciless execution of depleted Wingate & Finchley side naming just two substitutes followed – six goals hammered past the bludgeoned Blues. The Jason Prior goal machine was in top gear with a hat trick, Alfie Rutherford bagged a brace with Stuart popping up late to complete the round half-dozen.

Surely it would be a tougher affair away at Leiston on the penultimate Saturday of the season. The Blues’ own hopes of gate-crashing the playoff party may have ended with 1-1 at home to the Hamlet the precious sodden Saturday but Bognor had yet to return from Victory Road victorious. The ground was a little drier than seven days previous but not by much making it difficult for Jamie Howell’s side to find their usual free flowing rhythm. It was one of the Rocks’ large loanee contingent, Connor Tighe from Brighton & Hove Albion, who broke the deadlock 5 minutes into the second half tucking one home at the back stick. Two minutes later and Bognor were firmly in the driving seat as Alfie Rutherford converted. Biggest news of the day, apart from Prior NOT scoring, was that the 2-0 win had ensured Bognor a play off berth and that they would finish in the top three regardless. Two games remained to overhaul the Beavers. Already relegated Brentwood Town were first to feel the cold steel of the Bognor axe. After suffering a 109-minute goal drought Jason Prior was back in the swing of things as he put his side one up after 12 minutes. Connor Tighe made two early in the second half and though Ryan O’Rawe pulled one back at the death, another of the Bognor Brat Pack, Snorre Nilsen on loan from Portsmouth, scored deep into added time to keep the title dream alive. But it was not to be. Bognor did what they had to with that 4-0 rout of Hendon, 3 ahead at halftime with a Prior double sandwiching Rutherford’s finish before Tighe got that all-important fourth with a minute left. Unfortunately for them Enfield could not complete their half of the bargain and so here we are tonight.

Though Saturday’s defeat at Needham Market proved tame, the Hamlet have dug deep in recent weeks to salvage their promotion bid. Hopes seemed to be slowly dying after a post New Year slump in the wake of the FA Trophy exit to Guiseley. However, the return of Ethan Pinnock in defence stiffed the sinews at the back with the Hamlet not beaten (until Saturday last) in league competition since going down 4-1 way to Billericay. The score line in Essex was perhaps unreflective of a game dominated by curious officiating decisions, three penalties, a disallowed equaliser and a red card. That run of eight games unbeaten before Needham Market included the aforementioned 2-0 defeat of the Rocks at Champion Hill and the arrival of Dipo Akinyemi from Stevenage with five goals in his five appearances.

Of course this is not the first time the Rocks and the Hamlet have gone head-to-head in the battle for promotion via the playoffs. In 2011 Dulwich clinched an unlikely Ryman League South playoff spot winning at rivals for the final berth, Walton & Hersham. With Bognor having missed out on the title to Met Police that same Saturday (sound familiar?), they were expected to smother the fires of heartache having ended the season a stonking 31 points clear of a Hamlet closer to the relegation places in the final reckoning than the highflying Rocks. What followed would spark national opprobrium against the playoff lottery as Dulwich ran out convincing winners 3-1. Lewis Gonsalves headed Hamlet ahead after 10 minutes, Gary Drewett added a second. Though Ben Johnson pulled one back for the hosts with a sublime free kick just before the interval it was to the night of the Hamlet. 15 minutes remained when Dulwich scored a killer third as Ray Powell bundled home a Nyren Clunis cross to seal Bognor’s unhappy exit. Not that it would count for aught as, in a remarkable final, Leatherhead broke Hamlet hearts with a 4-3 win sealed in inordinate extra time.

12 months later it was heartache for the Hamlet once more as the Rocks exacted their revenge. After again finishing second in the final reckoning this time left in the well-oiled wheel tracks of Whitehawk, the Rocks emerged triumphant after an extraordinary semi at home to Godalming Town. A compelling, white-knuckle ride of a match at Nyewood Lane saw eight goals shared through normal extra time - the lead changing hands four times. Erstwhile Hamlet wingman Ashley Robinson claimed a hat trick for Bognor, the last of these from the spot after Godalming’s Scott Harris saw red for handling on the line not long after having put his side ahead in extra time. The game would eventually be decided by kicks from the penalty mark with local hero Ben Johnson sending his side through in the shootout. The Hamlet’s progress to the final was rather less fraught as Champion Hill rocked to the goals of Ray ‘Razor’ Powell, the ultimate 2-1 final scoreline perhaps deceptive for until Stuart King pulled one at back at the death there had been little threat from adversaries Folkestone Invicta. In a cagey final, so untypical of encounters between the sides, Stuart Axten’s header was enough to clinch promotion for Bognor. Sanchez Ming spurned the Hamlet’s best chance, Craig Stoner saving his second half penalty as Dulwich searched in vain for an equaliser that would force extra time.

Tonight’s game takes place at Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis, PO21 2TY and kicks off at 7.45 pm.

Admission Prices

Adults £10.00
Under 18’s £3.00
Transfer to grandstand £1.00
(Unfortunately Bognor Regis Town do not offer any other concessions)