Dulwich prepare for playoffs as Whitehawk take title prize

A dramatic final day in the Ryman Division One South ended with title favourites Whitehawk claiming the championship leaving Dulwich Hamlet and Bognor Regis in the playoffs.

Whitehawk, league leaders going into the final weekend, swept aside Chipstead to secure automatic promotion to the Ryman Premier for the first time in the club’s 67 year history.

Second-placed Dulwich travelled to Burgess Hill Town needing the Hawks to slip up in order to avoid a second consecutive playoff campaign.

However, the Hamlet failed to live up to their end of the deal as they were left to rue missed chances and subsequently slipped to 1-0 defeat, a victory that would guarantee survival for the Hillians.

Title outsider’s Bognor Regis staged a terrific second half comeback to see off Maidstone United and claim second spot.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, the Rocks fought back to win 4-2 and sneak into second ahead of Dulwich.

The playoffs begin this week with Dulwich hosting fourth placed Folkestone and Bognor taking on fifth placed Godalming Town at Nyewood Lane.