Match Preview

After an away win on the road last Saturday, we seek a repeat of that success when we travel to Slough Town this time around.

Following two heavy losses, in which we had conceded a combined total of nine goals, the 4-2 victory at Welling United at Park View Road was a welcome relief for Paul Barnes and his side, and it was certainly a much-enjoyed win by the team, judging by the celebrations after the two late goals from Jack Holland and Dan Smith and again at the full-time whistle. Those two strikes, to add to the ones earlier in the game from Will Wood and Johl Powell, ensured we ended the day in 15th position. Victory today could put us in the top half of the table for the first team since August.

Since that victory, the big news coming out of the club this week was of course the departure of Jayden Clarke to Gillingham, his first professional contract in the beautiful game. Although it is undoubtedly a huge loss to our squad, he goes with nothing but our best wishes, after six goals and six assists in his 26 appearances this season, he joins the Gills full of confidence and we hope he can show his talent on a regular basis for the League Two side.

Arriving at the club on Friday was midfielder Cameron Thompson. The 22-year-old spent some time with Torquay United earlier in the season, and also appeared for Dover Athletic in their Kent Senior Cup loss on Tuesday, but has opted to move to Champion Hill and will be available for the game with the Rebels. However, the Hamlet will definitely be without both Ronnie Vint and Andre Blackman, with the two players suspended following red cards in the recent London Senior Cup defeat at Wingate & Finchley. In the case of Blackman, it is the first of a two game ban. Sanchez Ming is available once again after missing the Welling game through injury.

We take on a Slough side in a wretched run of form, having won just once in their last fifteen games in the National League South, that coming in a 3-1 win at Oxford City on Boxing Day. That victory has sparked a run of three games unbeaten, with draws against Oxford and Tonbridge Angels following for the Rebels.

Like the Hamlet, Slough have had to deal with the departure of a long-serving management team this season, with Neil Baker and Jon Underwood stepping down after almost a decade in charge. Midfielder Scott Davies has stepped into the void and has kept the side above the relegation zone, currently sitting in 18th, two points above the bottom four.

With the joint-leakiest defence in the division with Cheshunt, they will be handing a debut to Bournemouth loanee goalkeeper Will Dennis today, whilst Temi Eweka is also in line for his first appearance, the defender joining on loan from Maidenhead for the rest of the season, having played four times for the Hamlet in November and December.

We have seven points from three games at Arbour Park since both clubs were promoted in 2018, with Ibra Sekajja netting a winner in a 2-1 success there last season. Back in August, Slough were victorious at Champion Hill, continuing the unbeaten away record of sides in this fixture in the National League South. A clever corner routine had put us ahead, Clarke sweeping home, before the Rebels scored from two set pieces of their own in the second half through Ben Harris and George Wells. Our overall record against Slough is below.

Record vs Slough Town: Played 55 | Won 17 | Drawn 10 | Lost 28 | Goals For 79 | Goals Against 95
Away Record: Played 26 | Won 8 | Drawn 5 | Lost 13 | Goals For 33 | Goals Against 44
Record Win: Dulwich Hamlet 5-1 Slough Town - FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round 1961-62
Record Defeat: Slough Town 5-1 Dulwich Hamlet - Isthmian League Premier Division 1980-81