Match Preview | Dulwich Hamlet (A)
Whitehawk return to action following a short break with a trip to in-form Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday afternoon.
And it’s a big test for Shaun Saunders’ side as they travel to a packed Champion Hill looking to extend that unbeaten run in the league to six matches against opposition who have won four out of their previous five.
Postponements have allowed the Hawks to enjoy a much-needed 10-day’s rest, though Dulwich are better rested having not played since February 24. It’s the start of a busy run-in, and one that many a Hawks fan has been relishing for some time…
Team News
Kai Jennings is in line to make his Whitehawk debut having joined the club on a work experience loan earlier in the week, as he arrives to bolster the midfield options.
Rob O’Toole returned for the remaining minutes of our last fixture, and will be pushing for a first start since 20 February.
Manager Shaun Saunders should have a strong squad to choose from ahead of Saturday’s venture up to south London, while Dulwich head coach Hakan Hayrettin welcomed Kreshnic Krasniqi back in their last outing, and he will too be hoping to start on Saturday.
The Opposition
Sitting 9th with one eye firmly fixed on the play-offs, it’s been quite the second half to the season for Dulwich Hamlet having started slowly following their relegation from National League South last season.
As November arrived The Hamlet were stationed in 15th, yet a strong recovery sees them just five points shy of the play-offs as they eye an immediate return to the division above.
One defeat in their previous 10 league matches has them firing, with them having scored the second-most number of goals in that span.
Former Hawk Danny Mills has been the catalyst for such attacking threat, with strike partner Luke Wanadio claiming the lion-share of the goal scoring.
One to Watch | Luke Wanadio
Here he is! The 31 year-old has been in electric form this season, finding the net an impressive 17 times in all competitions this season having signed from Dover Athletic in the Summer.
A career that has spanned over a decade, Wanadio started his career at Tooting & Mitcham, and has since featured for 13 clubs as he looks to settle at the club he played for briefly at the back-end of the 2014/15 season.
Recent Form – WWLWW
30/1 | Wingate & Finchley (H) | Won 3-0
3/2 | Margate (A) | Won 4-1
10/2 | Hornchurch (H) | Lost 3-2
17/2 | Concord Rangers (A) | Won 2-1
24/2 | Cheshunt (H) | Won 4-2
Previous Meetings
The club’s last met at The Enclosed Ground back in October, when a late Imran Kayani strike salvaged a deserved point for the hosts on a wet afternoon in East Brighton.
In fact, all the competitive previous meetings have arrived at The Enclosed Ground, with a 4-2 Whitehawk win in the FA Cup in 2015 followed by a 4-1 defeat two years later in the FA Trophy.
How to Follow
If you can’t make it this trendy part of the capital on Saturday, then you can follow the action via our X (Twitter) channel, which can be found here.
Tickets
A big crowd is expected at Champion Hill on Saturday, so it’s best to buy your tickets via this link to avoid disappointment.
There will be a limited batch of tickets on the door, and prices are as follows:
Adults: £12.80 (Aged 20-64 and not in full-time education)
Concessions: £5.40 (Students with valid ID, Aged 65 and over, NHS Workers, Unemployed, DLA Recipients, Local Authority Workers, Emergency Services, Armed Forces)
U12: FREE (Must be accompanied by an adult)