We know it’s going to be tough but if we play to our maximum, we know we can do it, says Dulwich Hamlet boss Gavin Rose

DULWICH HAMLET boss Gavin Rose says his club are ready to secure a long-awaited promotion via the play-offs.

The Hamlet completed their 46-match Ryman Premier League campaign in third-place with 80 points in the bag, finishing 14 points adrift of promoted champions Havant & Waterlooville, who bounced back from relegation from the Vanarama National League South at the first attempt.

Rose is keen to make home advantage count when fourth-placed finishers Enfield Town visit Champion Hill Stadium for tonight’s play-off semi-final.

“We are, we are (ready).  We’ve known for over a week now that we would be in the play-offs, now it’s down to what happens tonight,” said Rose.

“Hopefully, we’ll give a good account of ourselves and get ourselves in to the Final.”

Dulwich Hamlet came away from Bognor Regis Town with a 1-0 win in last years play-off semi-final, before going down to a shock 3-1 defeat at East Thurrock United in the Final.

John Coventry’s side stunned Tonbridge Angles 3-0 in the semi-final and the Essex side go into their last game of the season in thirteenth-place in the Vanarama National League South table with 55 points on the board.

Bognor Regis Town have finished runners-up for a second season running and they host Wingate & Finchley in the other semi-final tonight.

“The year before that we lost in the Semi-Final to Margate and last year we lost in the Final so obviously we want to go one better than that,” said Rose.

“But there’s three other teams in it, including Enfield, who are equally good teams and they also want to do well but we know it’s going to be tough but if we play to our maximum, we know we can do it.”

Dulwich Hamlet’s results over Enfield Town during the League campaign swings in Rose’s side’s favour.

The two sides met on the second game of the season with Dulwich Hamlet winning 2-1 at Champion Hill on 16 August and they came away from north London with a point in a 2-2 draw on the first day of October.

“There’s no form guide or what happens in the earlier part of the season, that doesn’t matter at this stage, it’s how you perform on the night,” said Rose.

“The league can be quite inconsistent anyway, so there’s no bearing on what’s happened before, I think.”

Rose wants to make home advantage count.

“We want to make it a difficult place for an away team to play against us.  That’s our job as a management team and players, for away teams to play us, we have to make sure the extra support is felt and that the other team feel like they’re in a cauldron.”

The club confirm that the match is NOT all-ticket and that there will be 1,500 tickets on sale at the turnstiles but season tickets are not valid.

On-line ticket sales have SOLD-OUT. If you have purchased a ticket online, then please enter via the Greendale turnstiles.

Turnstiles will be open from 18:15. Supporters with advanced tickets should enter via turnstile four. Those with concession tickets should bring ID to verify your eligibility.

Normal League game admission prices will apply: £10 (adults), £5 (concessions) and under 13s FREE.

Concession prices apply to those over 60, aged 13-19, NHS workers, unemployed, students, armed forces and blue light services. However, all must show their relevant ID, otherwise a full price must be paid.

Visit Dulwich Hamlet’s website: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet

Dulwich Hamlet  v  Enfield Town
Ryman Premier League Play-Off Semi-Final
Thursday 27^th April 2017
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, Dog Kennel Hill, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD

Article updated: 13:20 - 24/04/2017