SCEFL Groundhop 2025
That’s a wrap on another brilliant Groundhop weekend!
Across three days, 1,782 fans came through the gates, creating a superb atmosphere and enjoying 25 goals across six games. We had four entertaining draws, plus one win each for the home and away sides.
A huge thank you to everyone who came along, and well done to all of our clubs for putting on such a great show!
FRIDAY 3rd OCTOBER
Phoenix Sports 2-2 Corinthian
SATURDAY 4th OCTOBER
Croydon 6-0 Halls AFC
Holmesdale 1-1 Punjab United
Chislehurst Glebe 3-3 Sutton Athletic
SUNDAY 5th OCTOBER
Hythe Town 1-2 Whitstable Town
Hollands & Blair 2-2 Snodland Town
FRIDAY
7.45pm – Phoenix Sports 2-2 Corinthian
The 2025 SCEFL Groundhop opened on Friday night in front of 350 fans in Bexleyheath, where swirling wind and rain played a big part in an entertaining 2-2 draw between Phoenix Sports and Corinthian.
With the conditions at their back in the first half, Corinthian seized the initiative. Phoenix skipper Jake Goodman was unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net on 17 minutes, and moments later Tom Mitcham doubled the visitors’ advantage with a sharp finish to put them firmly in control.
After the restart, it was Phoenix’s turn to enjoy the elements, and they mounted a strong second-half fightback. Ahkeem Belford pulled one back in the 78th minute to set up a tense finale, before Jensen Grant struck in the final minute to earn the hosts a share of the spoils.
A dramatic finish ensured the Groundhop began with plenty of talking points, and both sides will take credit for making the best of difficult conditions.
SATURDAY
11am – Croydon 6-0 Halls AFC
The Saturday Groundhop got underway with a goal-filled early kick-off at Croydon, where the hosts blew Halls AFC away inside the first half hour on their way to a commanding 6-0 victory.
Spectators were still finding their seats when Kiarn Asafu-Adjaye opened the scoring in the very first minute. That set the tone for a blistering spell, as Liam Cormack doubled the advantage on six minutes before Tom Barton quickly made it three just two minutes later.
Pat Ward added a fourth in the 16th minute, and Asafu-Adjaye struck again on the half-hour mark to complete a ruthless opening spell that left Croydon five goals to the good before the half-time whistle.
With the game long settled, the Trams eased off after the break but still found time for one more, Asafu-Adjaye completing his hat-trick with a late finish in the 87th minute.
The emphatic win moves Croydon up to sixth in the First Division table, while Halls are left reeling after a tough start to the game the Groundhop day and their season.
3pm – Holmesdale 1-1 Punjab United
The Groundhop rolled into Oakley Road for the 3pm kick-off where Holmesdale and Punjab United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Nathan Palmer fired the hosts ahead just before the hour mark, but Punjab struck late as Roman Campbell found the net with eight minutes remaining. 162 was a record league crowd for Holmesdale, who remain 6th in the table.
6.30pm – Glebe 3-3 Sutton Athletic
The Saturday evening fixture delivered six goals and plenty of drama as Glebe and Sutton Athletic played out a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Glebe flew out of the traps with Reggie Rye opening the scoring early before Jamie Philpot forced a defensive error to double their lead. Sutton’s response was emphatic, turning the game on its head before the break with goals from Louis Lovell, Emmanuel Oduguwa and Ryan Mahal.
The second half proved quieter, but the excitement wasn’t over for the 182 inside the hosts new arena. Malachi Morris struck late to bring Glebe level before Sutton substitute Ollie Farmer saw red in the closing stages.
The point lifts Glebe off the bottom of the table, while Sutton remain 5th.
SUNDAY
11am – Hythe Town v Whitstable Town
Sunday’s Groundhop action began on the coast as Hythe Town hosted Whitstable Town. The visitors arrived as favourites and did come away with the points, though they were pushed harder than many of the 450 crowd would have expected.
After a tight, goalless first half, Whitstable broke through two minutes after the restart when Ashdon Day struck. Hythe hit back almost instantly, Steadman Callender marking his debut with an equaliser, but the Oysters had the final say. With 15 minutes to play, Mikey Dalton netted the winner to seal victory for the visitors.
The result lifts Whitstable up to 8th in the table, while Hythe stay 15th.
3pm – Hollands & Blair v Snodland Town
The 2025 Groundhop came to a close on Sunday afternoon at Star Meadow, where Hollands & Blair and Snodland Town played out the fourth draw of the weekend.
Kane Rowland fired Blair ahead from the penalty spot on 35 minutes, only for Emmanuel Shoderu to level before the break. Ollie Gray restored the hosts’ advantage in the second half, but deep into stoppage time Paul Lee struck to ensure the sides shared the points.
