On Tuesday night Sporting Club Thamesmead host FC Elmstead in the final of the Kent County Football League Invitation Charity Cup, in aid of the Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance.

There was just one game in the first round, and that involved the club from Thamesmead who beat Snodland Town Reserves one-nil. Then, in the quarter final, they played their own reserves side and beat them two-one. In the same round, Elmstead advanced at the expense of Welling Town.

In the semi-finals, Elmstead had to work hard to see off Meridian VP in a one-nil home win. Then it took penalties to separate Thamesmead and Cuxton 91 after they played out a two-apiece draw, with the visitors levelling in stoppage time. Acre prevailed five-three in the shoot-out.

When the Southern Counties East Football League Division One season ended, there was just one place and two points between the two teams with Elmstead holding the advantage. This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, and Thamesmead have had the better of things.

Back in September, Thamesmead hosted a Kent Senior Trophy tie against Elmstead, and defeated them three-one. Steve Karkari gave the home team a half time lead but Stacey Petrou levelled three minutes into the second half. Karkari scored again five minutes later and Raphael President added a third with just over quarter of an hour remaining.

Matthew Faithorn put Elmstead ahead at Thamesmead in their first league encounter but Kanan Fitton levelled two minutes before half time. Alfie Clark won it for the Acre with just five minutes left on the clock.

It was Elmstead’s turn to score late when they hosted the return fixture. Thamesmead thought that Wilf Peel’s goal early in the second half was enough to win them the three points but substitute Joe Buchanan had other ideas and equalised in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

Although the two teams had disappointing ends to their league campaigns, Thamesmead only won one of their last seven matches and Elmstead lost their final four games, both will be keen to finish on a high by lifting the cup.