SCEFL Challenge Cup 2026/27

The Draw for the early rounds of the 2026/27 SCEFL Challenge Cup was made by League Chair Denise Richmond and SCEFL Director Nicola Stonebridge ahead of the Roy Vinter Respect Charity Shield match.

SECOND ROUND

SC Thamesmead v FC Elmstead

Fisher v Beckenham Town

Tooting Bec v Croydon

AFC Greenwich Borough v Phoenix Sports

Chislehurst Glebe v Stansfeld

Erith & Belvedere v Bridon Ropes

Corinthian v Rusthall

SE Dons v Sutton Athletic

Banstead Athletic v Petts Wood & Holmesdale

Halls v Snodland Town

Lordswood v Rochester United

Larkfield & New Hythe v Greenways

Kennington v Sheppey Sports

Hollands & Blair v Staplehurst Monarchs

Faversham Strike Force v Hythe Town

Lydd Town v Minster

FIRST ROUND

Lewisham 0-1 Bridon Ropes
(Manny Oshinowo)

Corinthian 2-0 Welling Town
(Oscar Housego, Kieran King)

SC Thamesmead 3-1 Tunbridge Wells
(Henry Awokere x2, Andrea Carrera – Rhys Bartlett)

Lordswood 3-0 Bearsted
(Harvey Welford, Josh Carter, Callum Peck)

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.