After a three-week absence, Dial finally return to Redding Way this afternoon (29 Aug) when we host Clanfield in division one of the Southern Combination Football League. 3pm k.o.

It's been an unprecedented tough few weeks for Dial boss Steve Brown after watching his side ship more goals in the past four games than the first half of last season.

Unavailability and Injuries to several key players have been central to Dial's defensive woes, coupled with having only been able to muster three goals since the opening day of the season.

With George Frith, Danny Taylor and Daniel Wanyonyi just three of seven players sidelined, along with Ross Ewen, Tosin Oyebola, Matt Bunyan, Charlie Marshall, Callum Miles, and Joseph Apeni all unavailable, Brown's hand has been forced to look at alternative options.

In the past 24 hours alone, Brown has managed to sign George Douglas from Bedfont Sports and free agent Oluwatomiwa 'Tommy' Bankole, with Ilyas Boolaky (Banstead Athletic), Callum Wright (Yateley United), Charlie Plant (Knaphill) pending league approval to help steady the ship.

Similarly, today's visitors have struggled to find their feet since moving from division one of the Wessex Football League to the Southern Combination Football League this season.

The Clan, who groundshare with Havant & Waterlooville at Westleigh Park, are still searching for their first win after five consecutive defeats in the league, league cup, county cup and FA Vase competitions, albeit they have only failed to score in one of the five against Shoreham (2-0) last Saturday.

With six points up for grabs over the August bank holiday weekend, today's clash is an important game for both sides to kick-start their season, none more so than Dial after coming up short against Dorking Wanderers B (league cup), Minster (FA Vase), Arundel and Infinity in recent weeks.

Brown is pleased to welcome back Matt Hinks and Callum Abraham-Barlow after both missed Dial's trip to Infinity's Lumacon Stadium (Sidlesham Memorial Ground) last weekend. Hinks is expected to line up alongside Adam Aziz, while Abraham-Barlow could take up a more advanced position for the visit of Clanfield. Matt Hayes also returns to the fold to partner captain Jimmy Norman in the centre of defence.

Speaking ahead of today's league fixture, Brown said: "The past few weeks have been tough for us as a group. not least of all the number of injuries that we have picked up so early in the season.

"It's important that we turn things around quickly after some disappointing results on the road. However, the next couple of weeks won't be easy while we integrate the new players into the squad and wait others to return from injury.

"Clanfield have equally had a tricky start to the season after losing both their opening league fixtures, so I'm not expecting it to be easy today at all. As results have already indicated, any team can beat anyone [in this league] on their day," he added.

For supporters and football enthusiasts travelling to Brookwood Country Park Football Ground (Redding Way) today, the nearest rail station is Brookwood, which is a c. 25 to 30-minute walk to the ground through Brookwood Country Park. You can plan your journey here.

Brookwood Country Park offers free parking for up to approximately 70 vehicles adjacent to the football pavilion. Further free parking is available at the nearby Lansbury Business Estate (GU21 2EP) and the Vyne Field Car Park (GU21 2DG). Refrain from parking in the residential areas of Strathcona Gardens, which is a parking controlled area.

Admission costs are £5 (aged 16 and over) and £3 for concessions / shareholders. For more information, please click here.

A matchday programme will be available at the turnstile for just £2.

To view Dial's forthcoming fixtures and results, click here.

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