Lowly Dulwich aiming to kickstart their National League South season at Hawks

Sam Magri battles with Dulwich's Danny Mills during last season's FA Cup tie at Westleigh Park. Photo by Dave Haines

The south London side have only picked up two points from their opening four games.

Indeed, they have only won five of their last 33 NL South matches after being widely tipped to do well prior to last season.

Dulwich won their first three league games in 2019/20 and four of their first six. But after beating Eastbourne on August 24, they didn’t win again in the NL South until December 21.

They won just five of their last 29 league games, and were fourth bottom - just two points above the drop zone - when the season was halted in mid-March.

This season, Gavin Rose’s men have lost 2-0 to Chippenham and 4-1 to Concord Rangers as well as drawing 0-0 with Chelmsford - all at home.

Away from Champion Hill, they drew 1-1 at Ebbsfleet in their opening game.

In the FA Cup they won through two rounds, beating lower division pair Corinthian Casuals and Christchurch - both via a penalty shoot-out - before losing 1-0 in a fourth qualifying round tie at divisional rivals Eastbourne Borough.

They had been close to losing to Casuals, with debutant striker Deon Moore netting an 88th minute leveller.

They also made incredibly hard work of beating three divisions lower Christchurch, from the Wessex Premier League, in the third qualifying round.

Among Dulwich boss Gavin Rose’s close season signings were two players who featured for Dartford in their play-off semi-final win at Westleigh Park in July - midfielder Tyrique Hyde and wing-back Sanchez Ming.

Midfielder Michael Timlin dropped down into non-league after over 400 EFL appearances for Swindon, Fulham and Stevenage, while another midfielder, Jordan Higgs, arrived from Bromley and striker Korrey Henry from Welling United.

Dulwich will also have two young loanees in their side against Hawks - Wolves goalkeeper James Pardington and Charlton’s Charlie Clayden.

Portuguese defender Sandro Embalo, who has played in the Cypriot First Division, is another new face.

Dulwich won 2-1 at Westleigh Park in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round last season, and returned in February to draw a league game 0-0.

Hawks can ill-afford any similar results tonight, having already dropped five points in their opening three NL South games.