This time last season, Hakan Hayrettin was beginning his final assault on the league title as manager of Maidstone United. Now he comes to the Kuflink Stadium with his Dulwich Hamlet side seeking to steer them clear of the relegation places.
That’s the latest test for the Fleet as the season enters its final eight matches and it will likely once again be a case of unlocking a packed defence while blocking any avenue for the visitors to exploit from set-pieces or on the break.
With an aim of four wins from the final matches, Fleet were within a few minutes of part one of that target at Tonbridge last weekend until Scott Wagstaff’s late equaliser. Now the focus is on this Saturday and what would be a 27th win for the Fleet if they can overcome Dulwich.
Some of Dennis Kutrieb’s squad got another runout in the midweek Kent Senior Cup tie against Welling United, including the likes of Ben Chapman, Shaq Coulthirst, Franklin Domi, Sido Jombati and Darren McQueen who have all started league games in recent weeks.
Both Chapman and McQueen could be in line to face their former club, with several faces in the visiting squad in the same position – Kresh Krasniqi, Will Wood, Danny Mills and Andre Blackman. Mills is top scorer for the third season running at Hamlet but alongside the old guard, Hayrettin has already made a few additons.
Defender Kristian Campbell, who featured in Dartford’s New Year’s Day win over the Fleet, has signed and he was followed by Barnet midfielder Michael Phillips on loan, who played under Hayrettin for league champions Maidstone last season.
Other loanees include Jordan Cheadle, part of Dorking Wanderers’ side last year, Dylan Gavin from Charlton and Gianni Crichlow from Havant & Waterlooville.
Dulwich have won two and lost two of Hayrettin’s first four games in charge but had been on a run of 10 without a win prior to that. And they were only 10 minutes from a third win on Tuesday night until a late Bath revival turned the tables. That late defeat will have made Dulwich more determined to dig in and get something from Saturday’s game to continue their mini-revival.
The visitors are two points clear of the drop zone but Taunton have five games in hand, while Chippenham and Hampton have picked up some form, meaning Hamlet will need points sooner rather than later.
Dulwich have won four games on the road this season but recently leaked five and six goals on visits to Chelmsford and Worthing. However, three of their four wins have come in Kent, with victory at Tonbridge, Welling and Dover this season so Fleet will need to ensure they don’t send Hamlet fans home happy from the county on Saturday.
This will be Dulwich’s eighth visit to the Fleet, though it’s been 25 years since they tasted victory here with a pair of 1-0 wins in 1998. The corresponding fixture last season saw Fleet come from behind to win 2-1 and all but clinch a play-off spot in mid-April.
MATCHDAY SMALL PRINT ——–>
ONLINE SALES
Our online ticketing sales platform at fleetlive.club has tickets available until 12.00pm on matchday. We would, however, strongly advise pre-purchase for both your and our convenience in gaining admission to the ground.
On-the-day ticket sales are available from the windows by main reception, accepting card and cash payments. Turnstiles open at 1pm but they will only accept online tickets (printed out or on your device) and tickets bought at the windows on matchday.
This game is not segregated.
MAIN STAND BAR
All supporters are welcome in our Main Stand and Social Club bars. To access the Main Stand bar, enter through the turnstiles and walk the length of the gangway in the Main Stand to the door at the Swanscombe (uncovered) End. There is signage pointing you in the direction. Dennis Kutrieb does a pre-match teamsheet run-through. Post-match music entertainment is free after the final whistle.
CATERING OUTLETS
We have a new bar opening in the old Sponsors’ Lounge (the building situated by the Swanscombe End) serving beers from Iron Pier Brewery and Hofmeister so please do check that out. And in the corner of the Main Stand and Swanscombe End is a new food catering outlet, Fleet Feast, which opened to the public along Stonebridge Road last week and will be serving teas, coffees, other drinks and hot food/snacks.
Check out our other existing food stalls (to the left of the main turnstiles entrance, there is our Würtsel Haus German sausage experience and straight ahead as you enter the ground is the Manhattan Grill for all your burger, hot dog and more needs!). Pop-up bars are also situated near to the turnstiles and by ‘Geeks Corner’ between the Plough End and old stand. We have a popup to be found in the marquee between the main turnstiles entrance and the Main Stand.
CAR PARKING
Car-parking as per usual on matchdays is available at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C for £3. Please have the correct change if possible to aid our parking staff and again, we would recommend an early arrival. Please note that the areas near to Northfleet Station, namely Railway Street and Hamerton Road, are resident/permit-only parking and non-valid vehicles will be ticketed. The area on Thamesway before the roundabout as you approach the Kuflink Stadium is a designated clearway – though that is not particularly apparent as you approach – so you are advised not to park here because of the risk of being ticketed.
MATCHDAY PROGRAMMES
If you wish to purchase your programme in advance for collection from our club shop before you enter the ground, you can do so either via our online shop or when booking your matchday tickets online.
Programmes are also on sale at the ground from the club shop, the popup bar as you enter the turnstiles, the Main Stand tea kiosk or in the Social Club behind the Plough End, costing £3. Advance-order programmes will be available to pick up from the club shop before the game and before you enter the turnstiles.
