On Wednesday night Forest Hill Park host SC Thamesmead at Ladywell Arena in a Southern Counties East Football League Division one match.

Second placed Forest Hill have had a change of structure having merged with the ambitious Sunday League team SE Dons who decided to move into Saturday football. They have won five, drawn two and lost one so far. Six of their eight games have been away as they play at Ladywell Stadium and don’t have access to the ground until the athletics season finishes at the end of August.

Their two home games have ended in a win and a draw. On Saturday they visited Halls AFC and played out a five-three win that was probably more emphatic than the final score suggests. They were two up at half time through goals by Deshan Carty and Nathan Palmer (penalty). Stefan Wright scored immediately after the break before Palmer scored his second ten minutes later.

Although Halls pulled one back, Jack Sammoutis restored his team’s four goal lead before two late goals by the hosts gave them something on which to build.

It has been a mixed start to the season for Sporting Club Thamesmead, having picked up five points from seven league games. Away from home they have drawn one and lost three however all of the defeats have been by the odd goal.

Unbeaten Premier Division club Punjab United hosted the Acre in the Challenge Cup on Saturday and the visitors took a surprise lead through Harry Main just after the half hour mark. However Steve Ratcliff levelled five minutes later. 

In the second half, Punjab took control and a brace by Malachi Hudson, either side of Lea Dawson’s goal, ended Thamesmead’s hope of a cup run.

Last season’s corresponding fixture between the two clubs in Ladywell ended in a close win for the Forest through a close range finish by Tyreece Webb. It is unlikely that any players from the hosts’ team that day, and many from the Acre, will be playing in the game on Wednesday so little can be taken from that meeting.