Edwards: play-offs is our lowest goal: Keeper confident ahead of National South start
Preston Edwards reckons Dulwich Hamlet’s minimum aim in their first season in National League South should be the play-offs.
Gavin Rose’s side kick off life in their new division at Welling United tomorrow.
Former Millwall goalkeeper Edwards agreed a new deal with Hamlet a week after their May play-off victory against Hendon Town.
And his intentions are more than just making up the numbers.
“The play-offs in a minimum target,” said Edwards. “We have definitely got the players, we’re equipped for the challenge.
“We’ll be looked at as a bit of an unknown quantity but we have got the fanbase and expectation do it.
“I know most of the teams because I’ve played at that level most of my career. Welling will be strong, they’ve got a good manager and have recruited quite well.
“The league is going to be better this time around because of the teams who have come up – us and Billericay.
Then you’ve got Woking and Torquay coming down who have got big fanbases, they’ll be expecting a little more.
“Dartford and Chelmsford should be good. It is going to be more difficult this season but that’s something we can rise to.”
Edwards, 28, joined Dulwich in the summer of 2016 after leaving Ebbsfleet United.
“I’m really happy here – even if I live quite far away. I’m based in Harlow. It was a lot easier to get to Champion Hill, that took about one hour and 10 minutes.
Tooting adds another 35 minutes on.
“But at the end of last season I didn’t speak to anyone else. I didn’t have any intention to.
“They showed great faith to keep me on. I was injured in the back end of last season and wasn’t involved for the final 15 games due to a knee injury.”
Amadou Tangara saved two of Hendon’s penalties as they emerged 4-3 wins at the KNK Stadium. And Edwards reckons the pressure is on to be number one.
“All the shirts are up for grabs,” he said. “I’ve got to make sure I’m playing well. I know a mistake will happen during the season and you have got to respond to it.
“Goalkeepers are judged on how many mistakes they make. The less you make the better the goalkeeper you are. So you need to make sure it as few as possible.
“Experience is key. Definitely when I was younger I used to beat myself up and go into my shell for a few days if I conceded a bad one.
Now when it happens you need to make sure for the next five or six you are at the top of your game.”
Edwards broke the record for most first-team games in a season at Dulwich – 66.
He dropped into the non-league game after leaving Millwall in 2009 and combines playing with being a maths teacher.
“My school is understanding about the work commitments I’ve got on a Tuesday when we have a game,” explained Edwards.
“I just have to make up time somewhere else.
“I don’t mind the extra travel this season – some of the journeys are a lot longer.
You have got to have that ambition to play at a higher level, or even higher than we are now.
“I’m 29 in September. I’m coming to the stage now where I might not get that opportunity.”
Dulwich have a class act in manager Gavin Rose. He is the club’s longest-serving boss and has not only gained two promotions but also developed young talent to make the jump into the Football League.
“We have been successful every season and the club has got better every year,” said Edwards.
“We have finished in our highest league position in Dulwich’s history. We had the FA Trophy run and promotion.
“We’re no longer seen as the biggest club in the division but we know we’re a growing club that is looking forward.
“We’ve made some good signings. Magnus Okuonghae has played 250 league games which is no easy feat – regardless of what Football League team you are.
Byron Lawrence has looked bright in pre-season and adds balance to the team because he is left-footed.
“Anthony Cook is another great signing. I played a few years with him at Ebbsfleet and he is very direct.
He puts great balls into the box.
“You need to add quality to a team or you stagnate and don’t progress as a club.”
Bromley kick off their National League season with a trip to AFC Fylde tomorrow.
Neil Smith has made a couple of recent additions to his squad, signing former Brighton youngster Reece Meekums.
He is a winger who can also play up front. Striker Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe has joined on loan from Colchester United.
