Pitches, postponements and a ground share define a disrupted week in SCEFL Division One

The clearest sign of how the week went in the Southern Counties East League came from Hythe Town, who announced a ground-sharing arrangement with National League South side Folkestone Invicta. All remaining home fixtures in 2026/27 will be played at The Alcaline Stadium, because the 3G pitch at Reachfields will not be ready in time. Manager Andy Crush said the board had worked "tirelessly" on the problem but that "we have run out of time. Deadlines were set and have now passed." Season ticket holders keep free entry, and the under-23s and youth teams will still play home games at Reachfields. The club also acknowledged a lack of communication with supporters over the installation.

Pitches caused trouble elsewhere. Tooting Bec's match against Lordswood was called off due to unsafe pitch conditions. Croydon said their Wednesday match with Tooting Bec, due to be played at Chipstead's ground, was postponed because of a pitch problem. Sheppey Sports said they were missing yet another league fixture, away to Welling Town, which was off after a pitch inspection. Welling said they had no home game for five weeks and expected to name a new venue in early October. Bridon Ropes also saw their weekend game with Sheppey postponed because of Sheppey United's FA Cup progress, and it is now set for 21 November.

On the pitch, Bridon Ropes lost 3-0 at home to Minster on 26 September, Todd Jordan, Jake Munday and Charlie Sharp scoring. Four days later they won 1-0 at Lewisham Borough in the first round of the Challenge Cup, Emmanuel Oshinowo scoring in the 49th minute for a first clean sheet of the season. Callan Secular and James McMillan made debuts, and Sam Huckle played his first competitive minutes in almost a year after injury.

The same competition brought Sporting Club Thamesmead a 3-1 win over Tunbridge Wells, Henry Awokere scoring twice and Andrea Carrera once. Their September review has them fourth in the division on 17 points from nine games, two points off the leaders. They face FC Elmstead in the second round on Monday 19 October.

At Croydon, a 2-0 win over Rochester United before a crowd of 253 lifted them to fifth. Stansfeld won 1-0 at Banstead Athletic through a late Jordan Patterson goal, then won 4-0 at Halls in midweek. Lydd Town lost 3-0 to Thamesmead, while Lydd Town Ladies beat Minster 5-3 on Sunday.