The dream of seeing the Pink and Blues march out beneath the Wembley Arch might have died at Macclesfield Town on Tuesday night but while one path to glory may have been closed off others remain, key amongst them the battle to make the post-season play off party and, perhaps, promotion to National League South. That challenge for Gavin Rose’s men begins again in earnest as the Hamlet at last face Hayden Bird’s side with the regular season just six weeks from its conclusion.

For the Moatsiders it has been a season of contrasting fortunes. From the highs of an Emirates FA Cup run that caught the attention of the nation, Merstham marching all the way from the First Qualifying Round before upsetting the applecart to overturn National League South powerhouse Ebbsfleet in the final qualifying round. There the Kent side, well backed by a throng of travellers on the terrace, might have been firm favourites to progress especially when Darren McQueen gave them a 10th minute advantage. However former Dulwich man Tommy Kavanagh levelled midway through the first half with a stunning shot from 25 yards out that beat the visitors’ ‘keeper Nathan Ashmore all ends up. Moments later it should have been Merstham in front as another former Hamlet player, Charlie Penny, was sent tumbling in the box as he beat the ‘keeper to Kavanagh’s inch perfect pass but Xavier Vidal, late of this parish, had his spot kick saved as Ashmore redeemed himself with an agile onehanded save low to his left. The turning point came with two minutes to go as Penny was on hand to prod the ball home as he got on the end of Marc-Anthony Okoye’s header. But fate dealt the luckless striker a cruel blow when Penny was stretchered off with a season-ending injury just as the halftime whistle was about to blow. Ebbsfleet tried to rally after the break but the Moatsiders stood firm and booked their place in the competition proper as they saw out the game to advance 2-1.

The magic of the FA Cup was alive on the Surrey Downs come First Round Proper day as Guy Fawkes Day brought Oxford United to the Moatside Stadium. Not since the days when AFC Wimbledon paid a call had so many queued to cram themselves into the compact arena. With a side containing SEVEN former Champion Hill habitués, from Phil Wilson between the sticks to man of the match Kristian Campbell, the visitors began well only, dominating possession and denying Merstham the chance to do much with any balls they could get hold of. 12 minutes in and that domination told as Alan McDonald’s precision free kick gave Phil Wilson no chance. Merstham did have chances to level; Dan Bennett had a shot blocked as he looked to finish off a well-crafted move initiated by Kristian Campbell and Tommy Kavanagh was similarly denied. However, it was Phil Wilson who was far the busier custodian, making some outstanding saves, before Josh Ruffels powerful header from Marvin Johnson’s cross just before the interval made it 2-0. If the Moatsiders had a mountain to climb at the break, shortly afterwards it became more like Annapurna on the hour mark when the U’s scored twice in swift succession as the defence was breached first by Kane Hemmings then seconds later by James Roberts. Much to the chagrin of the home faithful Dan Bennett had a consolation goal ruled out for offside and at the death Oxford United put the tin lid on a convincing 5-0 victory ad Kane Hemmings added his second.

Whilst the FA Cup might have been the stuff of dreams, the Ryman League Premier Division campaign has often been proved the opposite. A dream to some … a nightmare to others! While the season started well with hard-fought draws against aspiring promotion chasers, Billericay Town and Bognor Regis Town, it would not be until mid-September that Merstham would record their first league victory. However, it was a result worth waiting for as Grays Athletic were systematically dismantled at the Moatside, Xavier Vidal scoring a brace as the Gravelmen found themselves on the receiving end of a 6-1 humbling. Cups intervened but when they returned to league action a fortnight later the goals continued to flow. Harrow Borough received a five-goal spanking as the side hauled themselves back up the table, Charlie Penny scoring twice in that 5-0 triumph, the striker repeating the feat three days later in all-action home encounter with highflying Tonbridge Angels that eventually ended 5-3.

Perhaps distracted by cup games on various fronts (FA Cup, FA Trophy, Alan Turkey Trophy and Surrey Senior Cup), the Moatsiders found themselves gently pulled down towards the relegation trapdoor. League results stuttered, particularly on the road where Bird’s side would have to wait until the end of January before claiming their first three-pointer away from the confines of the Moatside. At home, though, they could still prove a force to be reckoned with, picking up key wins against Folkestone Invicta (3-1), Needham Market (4-1 with Dan Bennett claiming the match ball with a hat trick) and most significantly of all turning over Havant & Waterlooville 2-1 as Calum Willock snatched the points with an 83rd minute winner. Surprisingly the only team to emerge successful from a visit to Merstham since the Oxford United defeat proved to an underdog themselves as Ryman North promotion challengers Hythe Town took advantage of Kristian Campbell’s red card to stymie thoughts of an FA Trophy run with a 3-0 win.

Barring the Havant victory and a 5-2 win at Corinthian-Casuals, December through January proved a barren time. Eight games saw just three points gathered as the Moatsiders found themselves hovering just above the drop zone. Then Merstham headed for AFC Sudbury. Three weeks without a league game but no sign of ring-rustiness from the travellers as newly arrived Dean McDonald bagged the opener in a 4-0 win, the first of five goals in a brief 6 game cameo. Though Merstham would exit the Ryman League Cup at the hands of Ryman South side South Park after a penalty shootout, back-to-back league wins strengthened their hand in the battle against slipped down. Dean McDonald was again on target, the erstwhile Dulwich striker badly denting Enfield Town’s ambitions with an 83rd minute match winning goal whilst Alex Addai did for Harlow Town a week later with the only goal of the game. Squeezed between those two games, Merstham continued their quest to retain the Surrey Senior Cup as they added Whyteleafe to previous victims, Godalming Town and Walton & Hersham, booking a semi-final slot thanks to goals from Dean McDonald & Tommy Kavanagh. The ‘Leafe did throw themselves a lifeline as Dylan Ramayana scored with 12 minutes left before an unseemly late scuffle saw ‘Leafe skipper Jon Scarborough dismissed. However, his red card served only to inspire the visitors and Merstham had to walk a tightrope to avoid facing a penalty shootout. Hayden Bird and squad find themselves facing a massive semi if they are to progress to the final with Ryman North promotion candidates the opposition, though the manager is sure to keen to get his teeth into that.

Though comfortably beaten 3-0 away to Havant and Waterlooville, Jason Prior the angel of death with a pair of second half strike, Merstham made it three league wins out of four a fortnight previous as they became the latest side to profit from Leiston’s horrendous dip in form that had seen the Suffolk side pick up just one point from their preceding five games and slide out of the playoff places. Going behind when Antone Douglas put through his own net after just 18 minutes, the Moatsiders rallied through dependable Dean McDonald before full back Simon Cooper made for a happy coach on the way home scoring the second 7 minutes into the second half.

With the spectre of a relegation dogfight still lingering at their shoulder, Merstham added vital points, first from a far-from-enthralling scoreless draw at home to Staines Town with less action than Amish adult movies, then at Needham Market, Omar Folkes looking set to clinch a crucial victory only for Luke Ingram to snatch a share with an 80th minute leveller.

The result left the Moatsiders still dangerously close to the relegation places in 19th spot with just a point separating Merstham from AFC Sudbury in 21st place. However, Hayden Bird’s side have a number of games in hand of the clubs around them. With just two wins separating them from form side Met Police in 14th a run of positive results should allow the team to climb to a position of some safety. To this end the manager has recently brought back Omar Folkes from Ryman South side Carshalton Athletic whilst also engaging the services of midfielder Michael Onovwigun. The latter might be a familiar face to Hamlet fans having made a couple of substitute appearances for the club in the season before departing for Kingstonian. He later joined Farnborough in November last before heading north to Southport where his career was limited to a sole substitute appearance against Aldershot.

And so to Saturday. The game kicks off at 3.00 pm and takes place at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD. Turnstiles open just after 1.00 pm and all the usual outlets will be in operation including the outside bar. They’ll be a few surprises on offer in both so keep your eyes on the official Dulwich Hamlet Twitter feed @DulwichHamletFC for details.

Guests and officials are asked to enter via the Health Club reception as may Season Ticket holders on presentation of their Dulwich Hamlet Season Ticket.

Admission prices:

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions
• NB: Concessions cover Seniors - 60+, Teenagers (13-19), Unemployed (JSA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), NHS Staff, Blue Light Services, Serving Members of the Armed Forces and Full Time Students. (Please bring a form of valid ID for your concession as you might not be admitted without that)
• Under 13s FREE accompanied by a paying adult

Tickets can be purchased on line by clicking here

Programmes: £2