FA Vase carnage sets the tone across the SCEFL

Southern Counties East League clubs featured heavily in the FA Vase this week. Phoenix Sports needed a stirring second-half turnaround to see off Billingshurst 4-3 at the Christopher Russell Stadium, debutant goalkeeper Damian Niemczycki saving a late penalty-area effort to preserve the win after Billingshurst had pulled back two goals in the closing stages. Jamarie Brissett, Lyle Della-Verde, Ahkeem Belford and Steve Townsend all found the net for the hosts, and the club have since been drawn away to Penn & Tylers Green in the First Round proper, due to be played on 10 October.

Bearsted went one better in terms of goals, thrashing Epsom & Ewell 7-2 away to reach the next round themselves, a result that followed manager Kevin Stevens and striker Dieko Falade both being named in the division's team of the week. Bearsted's cup form has not carried into the league, however; they lost 2-0 away to Kennington, who followed up their FA Vase win over debutants Minster — a 4-0 victory — with that league win over Bearsted.

AFC Greenwich Borough also progressed in the Vase, beating Molesey 6-0 at home, with youngster Austin Tanner named player of the match after taking the captain's armband for the final 40 minutes. The club go into the First Round Proper against Tooting Bec, and manager Tony Russell was named SCEFL Premier Division Manager of the Month for August after an unbeaten start of three wins and a draw.

Elsewhere in the competition, Rusthall have been drawn away to Fleet Town in the next round, while Beckenham Town exited the Vase, losing 2-1 at home to AFC Varndeanians before turning their attention to a league trip to Rusthall. Larkfield And New Hythe beat Balham 4-2 in the Vase, with Jay Wade reaching a century of appearances for the club, and Rusthall's Louis Ando marked his 200th appearance during the week's run of fixtures too.

In league action away from the cup, Sutton Athletic continued their scoring streak with a 5-2 win over Tunbridge Wells, Tom Mitcham claiming a hat-trick and the match's player-of-the-match award. Snodland Town drew 1-1 at Tunbridge Wells earlier in the week to remain second in the table, while Corinthian beat Staplehurst Monarchs 2-1 with goals from Jamie Billings and Harrison Fryer. Fisher edged past Faversham Strike Force 4-3 at St Paul's Sports Ground.