Monday night football returns to the Masher Brothers Community Stadium when SC Thamesmead host Bridon Ropes in the KCFL Invitation Charity Cup.

Just four points separated the two clubs in last season’s Southern Counties East Football League Division One final table with Bridon Ropes finishing in tenth place and the Acre in thirteenth. However, the Acre hold the advantage at present, being three points ahead, although they have played two games more.

Having had no game on Saturday, Thamesmead’s last game was a week earlier when it took a late goal by Theophilus Hayford to claim a point in a one-all draw at home to Welling Town. That extended their league run to four games undefeated.

There was no rest day for Bridon Ropes though. They hosted Croydon and ended their run of three consecutive defeats. They went ahead in the thirteenth minute and despite being reduced to ten men midway through the second period, they held on until four minutes remaining when substitute Pat Ward equalised.

When the two teams met in a league game at Bayliss Avenue at the start of the season, the spoils were shared. Ian Kemp put the Ropes ahead in the sixteenth minute but Chris Mochine-Wood levelled twelve minutes later. Jack Hooper gave the hosts the lead twenty minutes into the second period, however, Samuel Sarpong’s goal with thirteen minutes remaining ensured that the two clubs earned a point apiece.

Having won the trophy by beating FC Elmstead on penalties last season, The Acre will not want to go out at the first time of asking this time around, however, Bridon Ropes will have other ideas and will also be keen to progress.