- The hosts are playing on the front foot at the moment, building from the back and pressing with energy.
- East Grinstead have been racking up goals in the FA Cup and the Southern Combination Premier, but conceded four.
- The Wasps have been a mixed bag in the early season, with a decent result line but plenty of evidence that the back line has been overrun.
An exciting encounter for Dulwich and the Wasps
Dulwich Hamlet and East Grinstead Town haven't played competitively against each other in recent competitions, so there's nothing for the records to go on in terms of the sides' recent head-to-head record, but the styles and performances we've seen so far in the 2026 FA Cup Qualification campaign point to a clash that will favour the hosts.
Mark Dacey has The Hamlet looking excellent so far, with a high-energy press and waves of quick passing through the channels from the wings creating plenty of chances in the attacking third. Danny Mills is a focal point for them, with goals, a physical presence and a target man's ability that East Grinstead will struggle to deal with, while Samir Carruthers has the control in midfield to dictate the pace of the game and create chances.
Lonit Talla has been another sharp edge for Dulwich, with goals on his record already this term and a good understanding of how to link up in the final third.
Their last five competitive and friendly results have been:
1. 5-1 win at Jersey Bulls (friendly)
2. 2-1 win vs Millwall Under 21s (friendly)
3. 2-0 win at Cheshunt
4. 2-2 draw with Three Bridges
5. 3-2 win at Leatherhead
Dulwich have had a bright start to their Step 3 football, with the results so far putting them around 5th-6th in the Isthmian Premier with 10 points from their first six games. Their recent results have been strong, but the fact they conceded a two-goal lead at Three Bridges shows the team may be wobbling a little in the closing stages.
The Wasps can sting
Grant Hearn and Andy Willis have set up the Wasps in a direct, goal-minded approach, and that's reflected in their results so far. East Grinstead sit around 11th in the Southern Combination Premier with eight points from their opening six games.
Dominic Vose brings the X-factor, but the Wasps bring creativity and pedigree that can unlock a stubborn defence. Dan
Perry is their main spearhead, so the team can still find some joy
in aerial contests
and he
gives them a focal
point
to punish
any
slip
in the box.
Their
last
five
results
have
been:
1. 3-0
win
vs
Bexhill
in
the
FA
Cup
2. 0-1
loss
at
Crawley
Down
Gatwick
3. 3-1
win
at
Wick
4. 4-4
draw
with
Hassocks
5. 3-1
win
at
Forest
Row
The odds favour the Hamlet
Dulwich are priced at 37/100 to win this match, with the draw at 19/5 and East Grinstead at a massive 321/50. While there's no doubting that Dulwich are the favourites to win this one, the odds are a bit short considering East Grinstead have been in decent scoring form lately.
We're going for a Dulwich win and both teams not to score, as Dulwich should have far too much quality and depth to lose this match, but Ali Secka and the Wasps back line will need to have a big day because, based on their results this season, they haven't been great defensively. 2-0 or 2-1 are the obvious correct scores, but we wouldn't be surprised if the Wasps nicked a goal and made this more interesting than the bookies have predicted.
