South East Counties Football League Premier Division Glebe entertain First Division Rusthall in a third round Challenge Cup fixture with a quarter final place at Punjab United at stake.

Whilst it might sound like a straight-forward task for the hosts, their manager Gary Alexander will be aware that if they don’t perform to their maximum, they may come a cropper. In the second round Rusthall won two-nil at Premier Division league leaders Beckenham Town and were very good value for their victory.

On that evening in November, goals six minutes before the break and seven minutes after, scored by Tommy Lawrence and James Miles, earned them victory.

Glebe also joined in at the second round stage and they defeated Greenwich Borough three-nil at home. Sam Edwards opened the scoring ten minutes before the break and four minutes later the prolific Jamie Philpot slotted in a second. Jesse Darko made sure of progression by adding a third just past the hour mark.

Since Christmas, Glebe haven’t had the best of times having lost three out of their four games and being knocked out of the F.A. Vase and Kent Senior Trophy in the process but their one victory was a strong four-nil win against Canterbury City and they’re comfortably placed in seventh place. They have played fewer games than the clubs ahead of them so they still have plenty to play for this season. 

Rusthall are having a strong league campaign as well, currently in second place one point behind league leaders Kennington. They have won three out of five since Christmas with victories over Greenways, Croydon and Bridon Ropes.

Both teams like to play passing football so it’s set up for an entertaining evening.