London FA Senior Cup - 2023/24

[Rhodes]

The First Round draw with Cockfosters our onIy representative, shouId the ChaIk Farm Cub beat Charlton Athletic at Chalk Lane they will travel to New Salamis or Welling United, a trip to nearby Coles Park would be welcomed:

London FA Senior Cup First Round
1 Cray Valley PM v Balham
2 Barking v Leyton Orient
3 AFC Croydon Athletic v Hilltop
4 Metropolitan Police v Woodford Town
5 Hendon v Glebe
6 Haringey Borough v Athletic Newham
7 New Salamis v Welling United
8 Cray Wanderers v Tooting & Mitcham United
9 Bromley v Redbridge
10 Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic
11 Corinthian Casuals v Queens Park Rangers
12 Erith Town v Dulwich Hamlet
13 Sporting Bengal United v AFC Wimbledon
14 Erith & Belvedere v Fisher
15 Dartford v Harrow Borough
16 Wingate & Finchley v Brentford

Edited August 23, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Just to say that that the SSML have no representation in the London FA Senior Trophy, Cockfosters Reserves are participating and have been drawn away at Sporting Bengal Reserves with the winners hosting Bridon Ropes or NW London:

London FA Senior Trophy  First Round
1 FC Elmstead v AFC Cubo
2 Hilltop Reserves v Hackney Wick
3 FC Baresi v Sporting Hackney
4 Bridon Ropes v NW London
5 Wimbledon Casuals v Sporting Club Thamesmead
6 Park View v Meridian Sports
7 Redbridge Reserves v Jolof Sports
8 Peckham Town v Clapton
9 Shepherds Bush v Athletic Newham A
10 Sporting Bengal Reserves v Cockfosters Reserves
Byes - Lewisham Borough, Barking U23's, FC Petrocub, Tooting Bec, Croydon and Forest Hill Park

[Rhodes]

We're still waiting with bated breath on a date for the Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic Under 21's tie at Chalk Lane:

London FA Senior Cup First Round
1 Cray Valley PM v Balham (date tbc)
2 Barking v Leyton Orient (date tbc)
3 AFC Croydon Athletic v Hilltop (date tbc)
4 Metropolitan Police v Woodford Town (3 Oct)
5 Hendon v Glebe (17 Oct)  
6 Haringey Borough v Athletic Newham (26 Sept) 
7 New Salamis v Welling United (date tbc)
8 Cray Wanderers v Tooting & Mitcham United (date tbc)
9 Bromley v Redbridge (date tbc)
10 Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic Under 21's (date tbc)
11 Corinthian Casuals v Queens Park Rangers Under 21's (date tbc)
12 Erith Town v Dulwich Hamlet (19 Sept)
13 Sporting Bengal United v AFC Wimbledon (date tbc)
14 Erith & Belvedere v Fisher (24 0ct)
15 Dartford v Harrow Borough (date tbc)
16 Wingate & Finchley v Brentford 'B' (date tbc)

https://www.londonfa.com/cups-and-competitions/results?countyCupKey=899163557|230771

[Rhodes]

On 23/08/2023 at 16:16, Rhodes said:

Just to say that that the SSML have no representation in the London FA Senior Trophy, Cockfosters Reserves are participating and have been drawn away at Sporting Bengal Reserves with the winners hosting Bridon Ropes or NW London

Just to mention that the Sporting Bengal Reserves v Cockfosters Reserves London FA Senior Trophy First Round tie takes place tomorrow (Saturday 7 October, kick off 2.00pm:

[Rhodes]

First Round results thus far Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic has still not been arranged:

London FA Senior Cup First Round
1 Cray Valley PM v Balham (TBC)
2 Barking v Leyton Orient (31 October)
3 AFC Croydon Athletic v Hilltop (31 October)
4 Metropolitan Police 2 Woodford Town 0
5 Hendon v Glebe (17 October)
6 Haringey Borough 2 Athletic Newham 1
7 New Salamis v Welling United (30 October)
8 Cray Wanderers v Tooting & Mitcham United (8 November)
9 Bromley v Redbridge (31 October)
10 Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic (TBC)
11 Corinthian Casuals v Queens Park Rangers (14 November)
12 Erith Town 0 Dulwich Hamlet 2
13 Sporting Bengal United v AFC Wimbledon (1 November)
14 Erith & Belvedere v Fisher (24 October)
15 Dartford 1 Harrow Borough 0
16 Wingate & Finchley 2 Brentford 'B' 0

[Rhodes]

On 10/10/2023 at 15:01, Rhodes said:

First Round results thus far Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic has still not been arranged:

It's strange isn't it that the Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic First Round tie still hasn't been arranged, I wonder what the hold up or problem is:

London FA Senior Cup First Round 
1 Cray Valley PM v Balham (2 November)
2 Barking v Leyton Orient (31 October)
3 AFC Croydon Athletic v Hilltop (31 October)
4 Metropolitan Police 2 Woodford Town 0
5 Hendon 6 Glebe 1
6 Haringey Borough 2 Athletic Newham 1
7 New Salamis v Welling United (30 October)
8 Cray Wanderers v Tooting & Mitcham United (8 November)
9 Bromley v Redbridge (31 October)
10 Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic (TBC)
11 Corinthian Casuals v Queens Park Rangers (14 November)
12 Erith Town 0 Dulwich Hamlet 2
13 Sporting Bengal United v AFC Wimbledon (1 November)
14 Erith & Belvedere v Fisher (25 October)
15 Dartford 1 Harrow Borough 0
16 Wingate & Finchley 2 Brentford 'B' 0

Edited October 26, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

A new book has been published about the prestigious London Senior Cup competition between 1882 and 1930 which was first competed for in 1882/83 when Upton Park FC lifted it, a Club formed in 1866 and who competed in the first ever FA Cup competition in 1871/72. The book is a follow up of the earlier publication covering the period 1930 - 2023, painstakingly written by Robert Cavallini and published by Dog & Duck Publications: 

https://www.dognduck.net/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Senior_Cup

[Rhodes]

I understand that the Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic First Round tie has finally been arranged for Wednesday 15 November:

London FA Senior Cup First Round 
1 Cray Valley PM v Balham (TBC)
2 Barking v Leyton Orient (14 November)
3 AFC Croydon Athletic 2 Hilltop 
4 Metropolitan Police 2 Woodford Town 0
5 Hendon 6 Glebe 1
6 Haringey Borough 2 Athletic Newham 1
7 New Salamis 1 Welling United 2
8 Cray Wanderers v Tooting & Mitcham United (8 November)
9 Bromley 4 Redbridge 2
10 Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic (15 November)
11 Corinthian Casuals v Queens Park Rangers (14 November)
12 Erith Town 0 Dulwich Hamlet 2
13 Sporting Bengal United 3 AFC Wimbledon 1 
14 Erith & Belvedere 1 Fisher 2
15 Dartford 1 Harrow Borough 0
16 Wingate & Finchley 2 Brentford 'B' 0

London FA Senior Cup Second Round draw 
17 Haringey Borough v Barking or Leyton Orient 
18 Dulwich Hamlet v Sporting Bengal United 
19 Metropolitan Police v Bromley
20 Dartford v Corinthian Casuals or Queens Park Rangers
21 Hilltop v Cray Valley PM or Balham
22 Cray Wanderers or Tooting & Mitcham United v Fisher
23 Welling United v Cockfosters or Charlton Athletic
24 Hendon v Wingate & Finchley (19 December)

[Rhodes]

On 06/11/2023 at 09:14, Rhodes said:

I understand that the Cockfosters v Charlton Athletic First Round tie has finally been arranged for Wednesday 15 November

Better late then never, the delayed First Round tie takes place on Wednesday evening then which should attract a decent attendance to Chalk Lane:

[Rhodes]

No cigar for Cockfosters last night then in their London FA Senior Cup First Round tie at Chalk Lane against a young Charlton Athletic side, already ending SSML interest in the competition:

Wednesday 15 November 

London FA Senior Cup First Round
Cockfosters 2 Charlton Athletic Under 23's 3

Edited November 16, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 16/11/2023 at 11:15, Rhodes said:

Wednesday 15 November 

London FA Senior Cup First Round
Cockfosters 2 Charlton Athletic Under 23's 3

A groundhopper from another Forum was in attendance at Chalk Lane last night, also see a match report from Charlton Athletic who narrowly triumphed with three second half goals:

https://www.charltonafc.com/news/u21-cup-report-cockfosters-2-charlton-3

Cockfosters 2-3 Charlton Athletic
London Senior Cup 1
Adm £10/£5 Prog £2 Att 124 h/c.
The rare luxury for me of being able to leave home at 19:35 and still comfortably making KO . No changes to Chalk Lane since last visit, although one of the middle floodlight bulbs was out (good job the Asfordby jobsworth wasn't officiating).
Fosters put up a good show considering the 7-level gap, scoring in the 3rd min, scrambling in a corner from close range and holding the lead, helped by some great saves, until the 60th when a firm header from a left wing cross produced the equaliser. A cross from the other wing and another close range header made it 1-2 on 69, and the visitors got a 3rd on 80 when a forward beat a couple of defenders and rifled home before the keeper could even move. On 88 the away keeper dropped a high ball and it was duly tapped in to make it 2-3 but Fosters couldn't find the equaliser.
Not too much time added on & was indoors by 21:43.

Edited November 18, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

An update on recent happenings in the competition:

London FA Senior Cup First Round 
1 Cray Valley PM 1 Balham 4
2 Barking 1 Leyton Orient 0
3 AFC Croydon Athletic 2 Hilltop 
4 Metropolitan Police 2 Woodford Town 0
5 Hendon 6 Glebe 1
6 Haringey Borough 2 Athletic Newham 1
7 New Salamis 1 Welling United 2
8 Cray Wanderers 4 Tooting & Mitcham United 2
9 Bromley 4 Redbridge 2
10 Cockfosters 2 Charlton Athletic 3
11 Corinthian Casuals v Queens Park Rangers (Tuesday 12 December)
12 Erith Town 0 Dulwich Hamlet 2
13 Sporting Bengal United 3 AFC Wimbledon 1 
14 Erith & Belvedere 1 Fisher 2
15 Dartford 1 Harrow Borough 0
16 Wingate & Finchley 2 Brentford 'B' 0

London FA Senior Cup Second Round draw 
17 Haringey Borough v Barking
18 Dulwich Hamlet v Sporting Bengal United 
19 Metropolitan Police v Bromley
20 Dartford v Corinthian Casuals or Queens Park Rangers
21 Hilltop v Balham
22 Cray Wanderers v Fisher
23 Welling United v Charlton Athletic
24 Hendon v Wingate & Finchley (19 December)

Edited November 18, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Sadly no further SSML interest in the London FA Senior Cup however Cockfosters Reserves came through their First Round tie in the London FA Senior Trophy and host Eastern Counties League Division One South NW London tomorrow (25 November) in the Second Round. The winners will travel to Sporting Hackney or Barking Under 23's in the Quarter Finals who also lock horns tomorrow at Mayesbrook Park:

London FA Senior Trophy  First Round
1 FC Elmstead 2 AFC Cubo 0
2 Hilltop Reserves 5 Hackney Wick 3
3 FC Baresi 1 Sporting Hackney 1 (Sporting Hackney win 7-6 on pens)
4 Bridon Ropes 0 NW London 2
5 Wimbledon Casuals P Sporting Club Thamesmead (Wimbledon Casuals walkover)
6 Park View P Meridian Sports (Meridian Sports walkover)
7 Redbridge Reserves 2 Jolof Sports 2 (Jolof Sports win 4-3 on pens)
8 Peckham Town 3 Clapton 3 (Clapton win 6-5 on pens)
9 Shepherds Bush P Athletic Newham A (Athletic Newham A walkover)
10 Sporting Bengal Reserves 1 Cockfosters Reserves 5
Byes - Lewisham Borough, Barking U23's, FC Petrocub, Tooting Bec, Croydon and Forest Hill Park

London FA Senior Trophy Second Round
Tooting Bec v FC Petrocub (Wednesday 6 December)
Jolof Sports v FC Elmstead (Saturday 25 November)
Cockfosters Reserves v NW London (Saturday 25 November)
Sporting Hackney v Barking Under 23's (Saturday 25 November)
Hilltop Reserves 3 Athletic Newham 2
Forest Hill Park 3 Clapton 0
Wimbledon Casuals 3 Lewisham Borough 2
Croydon 1 Meridian Sports 0

https://www.londonfa.com/cups-and-competitions/results?countyCupKey=324650802|230771

[Rhodes]

Congratulations to Cockfosters Reserves for reaching the Quarter Finals of the London FA Senior Trophy with their Second Round win over NW London at Chalk Lane last month:

London FA Senior Trophy  First Round
1 FC Elmstead 2 AFC Cubo 0
2 Hilltop Reserves 5 Hackney Wick 3
3 FC Baresi 1 Sporting Hackney 1 (Sporting Hackney win 7-6 on pens)
4 Bridon Ropes 0 NW London 2
5 Wimbledon Casuals P Sporting Club Thamesmead (Wimbledon Casuals walkover)
6 Park View P Meridian Sports (Meridian Sports walkover)
7 Redbridge Reserves 2 Jolof Sports 2 (Jolof Sports win 4-3 on pens)
8 Peckham Town 3 Clapton 3 (Clapton win 6-5 on pens)
9 Shepherds Bush P Athletic Newham A (Athletic Newham A walkover)
10 Sporting Bengal Reserves 1 Cockfosters Reserves 5
Byes - Lewisham Borough, Barking U23's, FC Petrocub, Tooting Bec, Croydon and Forest Hill Park

London FA Senior Trophy Second Round
Tooting Bec 0 FC Petrocub 1
Jolof Sports 1 FC Elmstead 5
Cockfosters Reserves 2 NW London 1
Sporting Hackney 3 Barking Under 23's 2
Hilltop Reserves 3 Athletic Newham 2
Forest Hill Park 3 Clapton 0
Wimbledon Casuals 3 Lewisham Borough 2
Croydon 1 Meridian Sports 0

London FA Senior Trophy Quarter Finals
Wimbledon Casuals v Forest Hill Park (Saturday 27 January)
FC Petrocub v Croydon (Saturday 20 January)
Sporting Hackney v Cockfosters Reserves (Saturday 20 January)
Hilltop Reserves v FC Elmstead (Saturday 20 January)

https://www.londonfa.com/cups-and-competitions/results?countyCupKey=324650802|230771

[Rhodes]

An update on recent happenings in the competition, Dartford will be investing in some blue and white hooped scarves today won't they:

London FA Senior Cup First Round 
1 Cray Valley PM 1 Balham 4
2 Barking 1 Leyton Orient 0
3 AFC Croydon Athletic 2 Hilltop 
4 Metropolitan Police 2 Woodford Town 0
5 Hendon 6 Glebe 1
6 Haringey Borough 2 Athletic Newham 1
7 New Salamis 1 Welling United 2
8 Cray Wanderers 4 Tooting & Mitcham United 2
9 Bromley 4 Redbridge 2
10 Cockfosters 2 Charlton Athletic 3
11 Corinthian Casuals v Queens Park Rangers (Tuesday 12 December)
12 Erith Town 0 Dulwich Hamlet 2
13 Sporting Bengal United 3 AFC Wimbledon 1 
14 Erith & Belvedere 1 Fisher 2
15 Dartford 1 Harrow Borough 0
16 Wingate & Finchley 2 Brentford 'B' 0

London FA Senior Cup Second Round 
17 Haringey Borough v Barking (Tuesday 19 December)
18 Dulwich Hamlet v Sporting Bengal United (Tuesday 19 December)
19 Metropolitan Police 2 Bromley 2 (Metropolitan Police win 3-2 on pens)
20 Dartford v Corinthian Casuals or Queens Park Rangers
21 Hilltop v Balham (tbc)
22 Cray Wanderers v Fisher (Wednesday 24 January)
23 Welling United v Charlton Athletic (tbc)
24 Hendon v Wingate & Finchley (Tuesday 19 December)

https://www.londonfa.com/cups-and-competitions/results?countyCupKey=899163557|230771

[agamemnon3]

Five pm on the 12th, and sadly, CC v QPR has just been postponed.

[Rhodes]

On 12/12/2023 at 18:11, agamemnon3 said:

Five pm on the 12th, and sadly, CC v QPR has just been postponed.

I see that Tuesday 23 January is the new date for the tie, quite some time off. Haringey Borough have a good chance of reaching the Quarter Finals of the competition however I wonder what has gone so horribly wrong at Coles Park this season and the Club are heading back to the Isthmian League North Division.

[Rhodes]

No SSML interest however an update following some recent activity in the competition:

London FA Senior Cup First Round 
Cray Valley PM 1 Balham 4
Barking 1 Leyton Orient 0
AFC Croydon Athletic 2 Hilltop 
Metropolitan Police 2 Woodford Town 0
Hendon 6 Glebe 1   
Haringey Borough 2 Athletic Newham 1  
New Salamis 1 Welling United 2
Cray Wanderers 4 Tooting & Mitcham United 2
Bromley 4 Redbridge 2
Cockfosters 2 Charlton Athletic 3
Corinthian Casuals v Queens Park Rangers (Tuesday 23 January)
Erith Town 0 Dulwich Hamlet 2
Sporting Bengal United 3 AFC Wimbledon 1 
Erith & Belvedere 1 Fisher 2
Dartford 1 Harrow Borough 0
Wingate & Finchley 2 Brentford 'B' 0

London FA Senior Cup Second Round 
Haringey Borough 1 Barking 3
Dulwich Hamlet 3 Sporting Bengal United 3 (Sporting Bengal United win 5-3 on pens)
Metropolitan Police 2 Bromley 2 (Metropolitan Police win 3-2 on pens)
Dartford v Corinthian Casuals or Queens Park Rangers
Hilltop v Balham (Wednesday 10 January)
Cray Wanderers v Fisher (Wednesday 24 January)
Welling United v Charlton Athletic (Wednesday 7 February)
Hendon 1 Wingate & Finchley 0

London FA Senior Cup Quarter Finals
Cray Wanderers or Fisher v Dartford or Corinthian Casuals or Queens Park Rangers
Hendon v Sporting Bengal United
Welling United or Charlton Athletic v Barking
Hilltop or Balham v Metropolitan Police

https://www.londonfa.com/cups-and-competitions/results?countyCupKey=899163557|230771

[Rhodes]

20 hours ago, Rhodes said:

London FA Senior Cup Second Round 
Dulwich Hamlet 3 Sporting Bengal United 3 (Sporting Bengal United win 5-3 on pens)

Not SSML however a groundhopper from another Forum was at this affair last Tuesday evening, it seemed a particularly good crowd but surely some turned up wanting to pay by cash, were they unceremoniously turned away at the turnstile: 

Champions Hill, Dulwich Hamlet 3 Sporting Bengal United 3 (3-5 on kicks from the penalty mark), London Senior Cup 2nd Round
Admission £6 adult (card/online only), Programme £2.50, Estimated attendance 350.
This was an ideal chance for Hamlet to get a quick win under their belts after a 10 match unbeaten league run ended at Enfield Town on Saturday, but instead they shot themselves in the foot with a chaotic defensive performance from an XI that had never really played together before, and probably never will again now there are no more cup matches until next September.
This was the third time running Hamlet have conceded 3 goals at home in a London Senior Cup tie against lower Division opponents. It happened last season against Athletic Newham and Cray Wanderers. They managed to win both those games 5-3 and 4-3 respectively, and might even have won this one too with steadier finishing at the end when the Essex League leaders were on the ropes.
I watch league matches at their level several times a season and Sporting Bengal are a decent side. There was some good individual quality in that team and they played with a commitment and cohesion that comes from winning regularly, which has taken them to the top of their league, yet Hamlet still scored three good goals against them. Admittedly the third took a deflection, but it was still a powerful 25 yard strike that would have tested the keeper, who also made a couple of taxing saves from efforts that wouldn't have disgraced him had they beaten him. It's what happened when they didn't have the ball that let Hamlet down.
The hosts made a slow start but were unlucky not to take the lead when Anthony Jeffrey cut inside to rattle the crossbar with a trademark rising shot from the edge of the box that bounced down and away. The first setback came almost immediately, when Sporting took the lead from a near post corner that bobbled around between a thicket of players in the goalmouth for what seemed like ages before ending up in the net. Alfie Allen equalised with a crisp left footed drive from 15 yards after the ball was laid back to him from the right, then Adrian Clifton fired Hamlet ahead from similar range after a corner had been knocked back to him. At this stage everything seemed to be clicking into place, but Hamlet just lost all momentum when the second half began.
Sporting's equaliser was a confusion of erratic defending and indecisive officiating. I'm certain their #7 was yards offside as a long pass was played beyond him, but of course the flag never goes up until the attacker plays the ball these days, yet defenders have to assume it's onside and play to the whistle. Left back Jerome Binnom-Williams got there first, but was now on the ball in a tight spot and under pressure. His first clearance was ineffective, then another attempted clearance rebounded off a defender into the path of a forward who stuck it in the net. Now the flag went up for offside but the referee instantly overruled his assistant without speaking to him and gave the goal. Was the flag for the original pass? Did the ref decide the ball had been played to the scorer by a defender, therefore couldn't be offside? I was under the impression offside could only be negated by a defender deliberately playing the ball towards his own goal, and that deflections or miscued clearances under pressure that benefit an offside player don't count, but the way the laws are constantly tweaked with new directives to referees it's anyone's guess these days. If that was maybe a little unlucky the visitors' third goal was embarrassing, as they strung passes around with Hamlet's defence looking all at sea, before a forward converted a low far post cross from a tight angle inside the six yard box. Jerome Binnom-Williams' equaliser set up an exciting finish, but Sporting prevailed on kicks from the penalty mark after opting to go first. Adam Dougui was unable to beat the keeper with Hamlet's first effort, and although Binnom-Williams, Richard Pingling and Allen all converted successfully, the visitors did likewise with all of theirs to win the shootout 5-3.

[Rhodes]

On 12/12/2023 at 10:47, Rhodes said:

London FA Senior Trophy Quarter Finals
Sporting Hackney v Cockfosters Reserves (Saturday 20 January)

Good luck to Cockfosters Reserves in their London FA Senior Trophy Quarter Final tie tomorrow at Essex Alliance League Senior Division Sporting Hackney's Wadham Lodge base in East London.

Edited January 19 by Rhodes