SCEFL Challenge Cup 2026/27
SC Thamesmead 1-2 FC Elmstead
(Andrea Carrera – Kameiko Pope-Campbell, Connor Cheek)
Fisher 4-1 Beckenham Town
(Eden Deh, Rafael Garcia, Euan Mutale, Tyrese Briscoe – Adekunle Ajagbe)
AFC Greenwich Borough 1-0 Phoenix Sports
(Tomi Obilana)
Chislehurst Glebe 5-1 Stansfeld
(Jamie Philpot x4, Tom Hever – Harvey Mead)
Erith & Belvedere 1-3 Bridon Ropes
(Ross Obazee – Abdulai Turay x2, Yedidja Kossi)
Corinthian 2-4 Rusthall
(A. Jack Billings, Harrison Fryer – Yassin Fares, Christian Lawal, Rajan Sahni, Troy Silvera)
SE Dons 2-3 Sutton Athletic
(Helge Orome, Joedon Cowin – Elijah Abraham, Unknown, Muriano Banjoko)
Banstead Athletic 1-0 Petts Wood & Holmesdale
(Frankie Harris)
Lordswood 2-2(p) Rochester United
(Bobby Parker, Callum Coombs – Perez Goumou, Jack Bray)
Larkfield & New Hythe 1-0 Greenways
(Brady Ayoola)
Hollands & Blair 2-1 Staplehurst Monarchs
(Lennon Diamond, Matt Gething – Hicham Akhazzan)
Faversham Strike Force 3-4 Hythe Town
(Kane Taylor, Josh Oliver – Petar Radojevic, Jake Embery, James Nurden)
Lydd Town 0-1 Minster
(Lewis Ray)
Halls 2-3 Snodland Town
(Abdulahmed Oladimeji, Ben Martin – Will Sims, Jimmy Shepherd, Fynley Rutherford)
Kennington 4-0 Sheppey Sports
(Ryan Philpott, Sam Wright, Charlie Owen)
Tooting Bec 1-2 Croydon
(Erik Neziri – Tom Barton, Alfie Clark)
Challenge Cup: First Division Sides Shine as Second Round Delivers Goals and Drama
The SCEFL Challenge Cup Second Round produced a thrilling night of football on Tuesday, with First Division sides upsetting Premier Division opposition, a remarkable late comeback and plenty of goals across the competition.
Banstead Athletic, Bridon Ropes and Hythe Town all claimed impressive victories against higher-division opponents, while Chislehurst Glebe’s Jamie Philpot stole the individual headlines with four goals.
There was also a dramatic penalty shootout at Lordswood, another cup exit for SE Dons and convincing progress for Fisher, as the competition continued to provide plenty of entertainment.
Hythe Complete Stunning Late Comeback
Arguably the most dramatic match of the evening came at Faversham Strike Force, where First Division Hythe Town produced a sensational late turnaround to claim a 4-3 victory.
The Premier Division hosts appeared to be heading into the next round when two goals from Kane Taylor, either side of Petar Radojevic’s 42nd-minute equaliser, and a 70th-minute strike from Josh Oliver put them 3-1 ahead.
However, Hythe had other ideas.
Jake Embery pulled one back in the 80th minute before converting a penalty just five minutes later to level the scores at 3-3.
Then, in the 90th minute, James Nurden completed an extraordinary comeback, firing Hythe into the next round and leaving the hosts stunned.
Three goals in the final ten minutes turned a seemingly lost cause into one of the standout victories of the competition so far.
Banstead and Bridon Claim Premier Division Scalps
It was also an excellent evening for Banstead Athletic, who put their difficult First Division league campaign to one side to record a superb 1-0 victory over Premier Division Petts Wood & Holmesdale.
With the game goalless heading into the closing stages, Frankie Harris stepped up to convert a 79th-minute penalty and secure a memorable cup success for the home side.
For a Banstead team currently battling towards the bottom of the First Division table, the result will provide a welcome boost in confidence.
Bridon Ropes were another First Division side celebrating after an impressive 3-1 away victory at Erith & Belvedere.
The visitors made an astonishing start, with Abdulai Turay scoring twice inside the opening five minutes to give Bridon a dream 2-0 lead.
Ross Obazee reduced the deficit for the hosts in the 21st minute, but Yedidja Kossi restored Bridon’s two-goal advantage just before half-time.
That proved enough to secure a fine away victory and another Premier Division scalp for the First Division.
Four-Goal Philpot Fires Glebe Through
Jamie Philpot was the star of the show as Chislehurst Glebe recorded the biggest victory of the evening, defeating Stansfeld 5-1.
Philpot opened the scoring after 17 minutes and doubled his tally from the penalty spot in the 37th minute.
Harvey Mead pulled one back for Stansfeld on the stroke of half-time, but the visitors’ hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished.
Philpot completed his hat-trick seven minutes after the restart, before getting claimed the assist for Tom Hever’s fourth for Glebe in the 58th minute.
There was still time for Philpot to grab his fourth goal of the evening in the 76th minute, completing a magnificent individual performance and sending Glebe comfortably into the next round.
Fisher Fight Back to Beat Beckenham
Fisher continued their impressive season with a convincing 4-1 victory over fellow Premier Division side Beckenham Town at St Paul’s Sports Ground.
It was the visitors who struck first, Adekunle Ajagbe giving Beckenham a tenth-minute lead.
However, Eden Deh levelled matters in the 28th minute before Fisher took control after the break.
Rafael Garcia put the hosts ahead four minutes into the second half, with Euan Mutale extending their advantage in the 66th minute.
Tyrese Briscoe completed the scoring from the penalty spot six minutes later, sealing a comprehensive victory in front of 151 spectators.
Sutton Athletic Knock Out SE Dons
Sutton Athletic produced another notable result of the evening, coming from behind to defeat SE Dons 3-2.
Elijah Abraham gave Sutton the perfect start with a fourth-minute opener, but SE Dons responded through Helge Orome after ten minutes.
Joedon Cowin then put the hosts ahead in the 26th minute, leaving Sutton with work to do.
An equaliser in the 70th minute brought the visitors level before Muriano Banjoko struck from distance ten minutes from time to complete the turnaround.
The result sends Sutton into the next round and brings SE Dons’ Challenge Cup campaign to an early end.
Rusthall Hit Four at Corinthian
Rusthall enjoyed a productive evening on their travels, defeating Corinthian 4-2.
Yassin Fares opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Christian Lawal doubled the visitors’ advantage shortly before half-time.
A. Jack Billings pulled one back for Corinthian in the 44th minute, but Rajan Sahni restored Rusthall’s two-goal cushion ten minutes into the second half.
Harrison Fryer gave the hosts renewed hope with an 86th-minute goal, only for Lawal to strike again seven minutes into stoppage time and confirm Rusthall’s progression.
Rochester Edge Lordswood in Penalty Drama
There was nothing to separate First Division rivals Lordswood and Rochester United after 90 minutes, with the visitors eventually progressing 6-5 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
Bobby Parker gave Lordswood the lead deep into first-half stoppage time, but Perez Goumou equalised for Rochester in the 66th minute.
Callum Coombs restored the home side’s advantage in the 75th minute, seemingly putting Lordswood on course for victory.
However, Jack Bray struck an 88th-minute equaliser to force a penalty shootout.
Rochester held their nerve to win 6-5 from the spot, bringing a dramatic conclusion to an entertaining all-First Division contest.
Late Goals Send Hollands & Blair Through
Hollands & Blair came from behind to defeat Staplehurst Monarchs 2-1.
Hicham Akhazzan gave the First Division visitors the lead ten minutes into the second half, but Lennon Diamond brought the hosts level in the 65th minute.
With the tie heading towards a penalty shootout, Matt Gething struck in the 86th minute to secure victory for Hollands & Blair.
Narrow Wins for Greenwich Borough and Larkfield
AFC Greenwich Borough progressed with a narrow 1-0 victory over Phoenix Sports.
Olu Obilana scored the only goal of the contest in the 55th minute to settle a high-quality, all-Premier Division encounter at the New Inn Stadium.
Larkfield & New Hythe also required just one goal to overcome First Division Greenways.
With the game goalless at half-time, Brady Ayoola eventually broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for the Premier Division hosts.
Elmstead Already Through
FC Elmstead had already booked their place in the next round following last week’s impressive 2-1 away victory at SC Thamesmead.
Goals from Kameiko Pope-Campbell and Connor Cheek secured the win for Elmstead, with Andrea Carrera on target for the hosts.
Wednesday 4 November 2026
The SCEFL Challenge Cup Second Round reached its conclusion on Wednesday evening, with four more sides booking their places in the next stage of the competition.
Snodland Town produced an impressive comeback from two goals down to defeat Halls, Kennington recorded a convincing four-goal victory, while Minster and Croydon both progressed from all-First Division encounters.
Snodland Recover from Nightmare Start
Halls AFC 2-3 Snodland Town
Snodland Town produced a superb comeback to avoid a cup upset against First Division Halls, recovering from two goals down inside the opening ten minutes to claim a 3-2 victory at Princes Park.
The hosts made a sensational start, with Abdulahmed Oladimeji opening the scoring after just four minutes.
Things got even better for Halls five minutes later when Ben Martin doubled their advantage, leaving the Premier Division visitors facing a mountain to climb.
However, Snodland began their recovery through Will Sims, who reduced the deficit in the 26th minute.
Jimmy Shepherd then struck five minutes into first-half stoppage time to bring the scores level at 2-2 heading into the break.
Having recovered from their disastrous start, Snodland completed the turnaround in the 59th minute when Fyn Rutherford scored what proved to be the winning goal.
It was a tremendous effort from Halls, who threatened a major cup upset, but Snodland showed their resilience to secure a place in the next round.
Kennington Cruise Into Next Round
Kennington 4-0 Sheppey Sports
Kennington enjoyed a much more comfortable evening, producing an impressive attacking display to defeat First Division Sheppey Sports 4-0 at Homelands.
Sam Wright opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Ryan Philpott doubled the Premier Division side’s advantage just eight minutes later.
With a two-goal cushion at the interval, Kennington continued to dominate the scoreline after the restart.
Wright grabbed his second of the evening in the 52nd minute to make it 3-0, before Charlie Owen completed the scoring with a fourth goal in the 75th minute.
The convincing victory ensured Kennington progressed in style, with Wright’s double the highlight of an excellent team performance.
Ray Sends Minster Through
Lydd Town 0-1 Minster
Minster secured their place in the next round with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at fellow First Division side Lydd Town.
With little to separate the teams, the decisive moment arrived in the 66th minute when Lewis Ray broke the deadlock for the visitors.
That solitary strike proved enough to settle the contest at the Lindsey Field, with Minster holding on to secure their passage into the next round.
It was a welcome cup success for Minster, who join the growing list of First Division clubs still involved in the competition.
Croydon Claim Away Victory
Tooting Bec 1-2 Croydon
Croydon completed the list of Wednesday’s winners with a 2-1 victory away at First Division rivals Tooting Bec.
The visitors made the brighter start, taking the lead in the ninth minute through Tom Barton.
However, Tooting Bec responded in the 37th minute when Erik Neziri found the net to bring the hosts level before half-time.
Croydon wasted little time restoring their advantage after the restart, with Alfie Clark scoring just three minutes into the second half.
That 48th-minute strike proved decisive, as Croydon held on to claim the victory and secure their place in the next round.
Second Round Complete
Wednesday’s four matches brought an entertaining Second Round to a close, following Tuesday evening’s action which saw several First Division sides overcome Premier Division opposition.
Banstead Athletic, Bridon Ropes and Hythe Town were among Tuesday’s standout winners, while Chislehurst Glebe’s Jamie Philpot grabbed four goals and Rochester United progressed following a dramatic penalty shootout at Lordswood.
FC Elmstead had already secured their place with victory over SC Thamesmead the previous week.
With the remaining ties now settled, attention turns to the next stage of the SCEFL Challenge Cup, with plenty of clubs from both divisions still dreaming of cup glory.
The SCEFL Challenge Cup field has been reduced to 32 teams following four First Round ties across the week, with SC Thamesmead, Corinthian, Lordswood and Bridon Ropes all booking their places in the next stage.
SC Thamesmead produced the biggest result of the round on Monday night, knocking out Premier Division Tunbridge Wells with a 3-1 victory. Henry Awokere struck twice inside the opening half-hour to put Thamesmead in control before Rhys Bartlett pulled one back for the Wells shortly before half-time. Andrea Carrera wrapped up an impressive win in the 88th minute. Thamesmead will now host FC Elmstead in Round Two.
There was another First Division success at Lordswood, who recorded a 3-0 home victory over Bearsted. Harvey Welford gave the hosts the perfect start with a fourth-minute opener and, with the tie still finely balanced late on, Josh Carter and Callum Peck struck in added time to make the scoreline emphatic. Rochester United are the visitors to Lordswood in the next round.
Corinthian also progressed after eventually breaking down Welling Town at Gay Dawn Farm. The game remained goalless until Oscar Housego converted a 78th-minute penalty, before Kieran King added a second deep into stoppage time to complete a 2-0 win. Corinthian’s reward is another home tie, this time against Rusthall.
The final place in the last 32 went to Bridon Ropes on Wednesday night. Emmanuel Oshinowo scored the only goal four minutes into the second half as Bridon edged past Lewisham Borough 1-0 at the Ladywell Arena. Their reward is a Second Round trip to Erith & Belvedere.
That completes the opening stage of the competition, with 16 Second Round ties now making up the full 32-team draw.