Match Preview
Concord Rangers vs Dulwich Hamlet
Concord Rangers
Table Position: 15th
Colours: Yellow and blue
Nickname: The Beach Boys
Dulwich Hamlet
Table Position: 7th
Colours: Navy and pink
Nickname: The Hamlet
This Saturday sees two teams in contrasting form go head-to-head in the National League South, as a Concord Rangers side unbeaten in three games entertain a Dulwich Hamlet side without a win in four.
The hosts kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 win over St Albans on Tuesday night and will be hoping to get their revenge on Dulwich following The Hamlet’s 4-1 thrashing of The Beach Boys at Champion Hill in January. In fact the last two meetings between the sides have both finished 4-1, but with different winners on both occasions.
Get to know the sides
Concord Rangers
Concord Rangers are a National League South club that play their home games at Thames Road on Canvey Island in Essex. The club was founded in 1967 and get their name from Concord Beach which is located along the Canvey seafront. The Beach Boys have spent their entire existence in the non-league but have enjoyed some recent success.
Concord was the club where current Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley started his managerial career, managing Rangers from 2008 until his departure to Braintree Town in 2015. As well as guiding Concord to two promotions Cowley also took The Beach Boys to the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in their history in 2014/15. Unfortunately for Cowley and Concord they got knocked out following a 1-0 defeat in a replay against League Two outfit Mansfield Town.
In May 2021 the club played in the delayed final of the FA Trophy against Harrogate Town, falling to a 1-0 defeat at an empty Wembley Stadium.
Dulwich Hamlet
Dulwich Hamlet are based in South London and play their home fixtures at Champion Hill. The club was formed way back in 1893 and enjoyed early success in the Dulwich League. The club have had seven playoff campaigns since the turn off the century winning promotion on just one of these occasions.
In recent times the club have enjoyed further success for example reaching the first round proper of the 2019/20 FA Cup before getting dumped out 4-1 by Carlisle United (this fixture was televised). This season the club currently holds the highest average attendance in the National League South; averaging 2,648, a value much greater than Concord’s average of 382 (only Braintree have averaged less this term).
Managers
Chris Search
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| Search and Green. Credit: Concord Rangers twitter |
Concord’s former under 18’s coach was appointed manager of the first team in May 2021 following the resignation of Danny Scopes. It has been a solid start to management for Search who is assisted by former MK Dons and Luton Town winger Danny Green.
Gavin Rose
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| Rose with the November 2021 Manager of the Month Award. Credit: London news online |
A former Dulwich player himself, Rose holds the title of being The Hamlet’s longest serving manager following his appointment back in August 2009.
A midfielder during his playing days Rose also appeared for the likes of: Charlton Athletic, QPR and Southend United during a vast playing career.
So far a successful manager Rose has led Dulwich to two promotions during his reign, with the club eyeing up a third this season provided they can hold onto a playoff place.
Key Players
Danny Green
Green, who netted from the penalty spot in Concord’s win over St Albans on Tuesday, currently leads the way for The Beach Boys with eight goals to his name.
The 31-year-old has played for 16 clubs during his career such as: Dagenham & Redbridge, Dover Athletic, Boreham Wood and Wealdstone. It was with the latter where he had the biggest impact, netting 40 times in over 200 appearances. Green joined Concord in June 2021.
Ibra Sekajja
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| Credit: pitchero.com |
Despite the fact he has only netted five times in the National League South so far this season the mention of Sekajja’s name is sure to send a shiver down the spine of any Concord fan.
The Ugandan, now in his second spell at Dulwich Hamlet, scored a brace in Dulwich’s 4-1 thrashing of Concord in January.
The 29-year-old spent a few seasons early in his career in Scotland appearing for Inverness and Livingston, however in recent times the attacker has played for numerous non-league clubs such as: Hemel Hempstead, Bognor Regis and Maidenhead United.
Recent form
Concord Rangers
0-1 vs Hungerford (A)
1-0 vs St Albans (A)
1-1 vs Tonbridge Angels (H)
2-1 vs St Albans (H)
Dulwich Hamlet
1-2 vs Hampton and Richmond (A)
0-1 vs Havant and Waterlooville (H)
0-2 vs Maidstone (A)
1-1 vs Slough (H)
Recent Meetings
Date | Home | Score | Away |
22/01/22 | Dulwich Hamlet | 4-1 | Concord Rangers |
03/11/20 | Dulwich Hamlet | 1-4 | Concord Rangers |
17/08/19 | Dulwich Hamlet | 2-2 | Concord Rangers |
02/02/19 | Concord Rangers | 0-0 | Dulwich Hamlet |
11/08/18 | Dulwich Hamlet | 0-1 | Concord Rangers |
Nathan Williams
Good research, very interesting
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