Non-League and Academy football writer

The draw for the early rounds of this season’s (2026/27) prestigious London Senior Trophy was made recently. There are some really interesting ties during the first round, with in my opinion, the standout one being the tie between step 6 side NW London, and step 7 side Springfield, who may well be one of the first sides from their league to enter this competition. Springfield, who are managed by Jimmy Donald, play their football in the Premier Division of the Essex & Suffolk Border Football League.

It’s great to see teams from a wide range of different leagues and levels of non-League football get the opportunity to face each other in a highly competitive competition. Ties such as the AS London versus Peckham Town one, should be a really interesting game. As will step 8 team Sporting Hackney’s first round tie against Yannick Kamanan’s FC Baresi side. I’m looking forward to covering some of the first round ties of the London Senior Trophy. Who will follow in last season’s winners AFC Greenwich Borough footsteps and become this season’s county cup winners? It’s going to be a very interesting competition once again!

The teams who will be participating in the 2026/27 London Senior Trophy, along with the first round draw: Camden & Islington United (Middlesex County Football League) versus Sporting Club Thamesmead (SCEFL Division One), AS London (Thurlow Nunn League First Division South) versus Peckham Town (Kent County Football League).

NW London (Thurlow Nunn League First Division South) versus Springfield (Essex & Suffolk Border Football League), Sporting Hackney (Essex Alliance Football League) versus FC Baresi (Thurlow Nunn League First Division South), Wood Lane (Middlesex County Football League) versus Redbridge Reserves (Essex Alliance Football League), Athletic Newham) versus FC Battersea Ironsides (Surrey Premier County Football League).

AFC Cubo (Surrey Premier County Football League) versus Lewisham Borough (Community) (SCEFL Division One), Bridon Ropes (SCEFL Division One) versus Walthamstow Reserves (Essex Alliance Football League), Sporting Bengal United Reserves versus Cannons Wood.

The teams who enter the competition at the second round stage: Croydon (SCEFL Division One), Tooting Bec (SCEFL Division One), FC Elmstead (SCEFL Division One), Hackney Wick Reserves (Middlesex County Football League), Hilltop Reserves (Middlesex County Football League), Barking Under 23s (Essex Senior Reserve League), Cockfosters Reserves (Herts Senior County League).