THIS AFTERNOON’S MATCH PREVIEW – WALTON CASUALS (HOME)

By Paula Griffin

As the season finale heads towards its crescendo, it is a big day for this afternoon’s protagonists for vastly differing reasons.

Hamlet have the title and promotion still firmly in their sights with a slim advantage over their rivals from Maidstone United by dint of a game in hand whilst the struggling Stags find themselves staring down the barrel of a gun as the Three Bridges revival has left Walton wallowing in the sole relegation spot.

It has been a season of constant struggle for the Stags, bizarrely at a time when their future looks so bright off the field as planned new development of their Thames side seemed set to see them eclipse their more illustrious local rivals from Stompond Lane. However despite signing a number of players with proved Isthmian (and higher) pedigree throughout the season, Walton Casuals have struggled to put together the results on the field. Meanwhile the poisoned chalice of manager has been passed through a number of hands including former Hamlet hero Danny Carroll whose attempts to salvage something from the wreckage ended with his recent departure. It left the team in the hands of former West Ham defender Tony Gale whose bond with the club has proved as strong his association with the Hammers.

The departure of Carroll came as a blow to Stags as his mission to clear out the deadwood seemed to being showing promise as new young blood was injected into the squad including the likes of former Dulwich prodigy, Roy Odiaka, signed from Beckenham Town and the enigmatic Greg Andrews, once of Leatherhead. A 6-1 home hammering by Worthing rocked things but a battling draw at Whitstable was followed by an impressive 3-1 win away to Burgess Hill. A 3-1 defeat away to Crawley Down Gatwick in the wake of Carroll’s exit set the alarm bells ringing once more as Three Bridges’ renaissance gained momentum as back-to-back draws over Easter with the other Casuals, Corinthian-Casuals, and the neighbouring Swans proved not quite enough as the Bridges moved level with them.

3-1 defeat at home to Folkestone kept the Casuals pinned to the bottom on goal difference but the gap widened to a win in midweek as Three Bridges beat Chipstead 4-1 and moved up to 20th place, ahead of Walton & Hersham on goal difference, leaving the Casuals three points adrift at the bottom, though with a game in hand on Bridges.

This afternoon’s game kicks-off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

Before the game why not enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

ADMISSION PRICES

  • £9 for Adults
  • £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 16s, Unemployed (UB40) & Full Time Students with valid ID)
  • Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £1.50

Where next?

Game on today...but help may be needed! Our match against Walton Casuals is ON...however more rain is expected
MAKE IT A SOUTH LONDON DOUBLE TODAY Millwall fan – priced out by Wembley tickets? Palace fan – missing out on a derby day out at the Den?

Fixtures
Sat 30 Mar
h
Men First XI Billericay Town
League 15:00
Mon 1 Apr
a
Men First XI Carshalton Athletic
League 15:00
Sat 6 Apr
h
Men First XI Enfield Town
League 15:00

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