Dulwich Hamlet boss Gavin Rose is throwing the romance of the FA Cup out the door this weekend as he prepares to take on Hythe Town in the preliminary round at the Champion Hill Stadium.


Not only will Rose be using the match to run an eye over their Ryman League Division One South opponents ahead of a league meeting in September, but he wants a win to put money in the club’s coffers rather than bask in the glory of a cup run.


Both the Hamlet and Hythe stated their league intentions with convincing opening day wins and Rose believes Hythe will be a big hitter throughout the season, making it all the more important that he sees the cup tie as useful rather than romantic.


“Neither team are going to win the FA Cup,” he said. “They have made some good additions to their squad for this season and so they have to be one of the top teams in the league. It is going to be a tough game for us but it will also be a tough game for them. 


“I will be approaching the game thinking about checking them out for the league, it will be an eye-opener for what they are about.”


He added: “The romance of the cup is not really relevant and goes out the door at this level. But if we get through a few rounds it is not so much about who we’re going to play, but more about getting some finances that can help the club out and balance the books for a season.”


Dulwich beat Ramsgate 3-0 on Saturday with two goals from Ellis Green and a Lewis Gonsalves header, and they travelled to Walton & Hersham last night.


Kalvin Morath-Gibbs will be fit for the weekend after being withdraw at half-time against Ramsgate feeling ill.