SE Dons were making their debut in the Emirates FA Cup in 2026-27
SE Dons had the Emirates FA Cup debut of dreams in the extra preliminary round, progressing into the preliminary round with a 6-0 win over Lancing.
Travelling to Sussex with an army of supporters backing them, the south-east London side came out on top in attacking fashion, with three goals in each half.
The Dons, who were playing Sunday league football only two years ago, are now one game away from the qualifying rounds.
Aaron Watson headed home after 20 minutes at Culver Road, to take the lead in the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
A one-two punch came before the break as SE Dons took a dominant 3-0 lead into half time, as Watson scored his second and former Chelsea youth player Walter Figueira added a third goal in a spell of three minutes.
Watson secured a hat-trick for the Southern Counties East League side ten minutes into the second half before a finish from 17-year-old Liam Nelson, and an acrobatic scissor kick from Alex Teniola sealed the club’s greatest day in front of nearly 300 people.
For a club founded in 2014, their ticket into the preliminary round to face Punjab United, is priceless, and takes them step closer to the dream of owner Don Strapzy - to face Manchester United in third round proper.
To get to the first round qualifying, the Dons will have to beat Punjab United, who defeated Seaford Town 3-0.
Sturminster Newton United was the first stop for the Emirates FA Cup trophy this season, as the Wessex League Premier side prepared for their first bid for the FA Cup in 148 years with a visit from the famous cup this week.
The Cherries from Dorset faced Portland United in their first FA Cup outing since 1878 but their journey came to an abrupt end with a 2-0 defeat.
The first half saw both sides exchange chances without a breakthrough, before Ben Morris opened up the game after a counter-attack from the Blues’ half at the start of the second half.
Patrick Jenkins clinched the result with a finish minutes before the final whistle – the Southern League Division One South team will next face Step 4 side Moneyfields.
Elsewhere, Barton Town scored five goals in the second half in Lincolnshire, defeating Deeping Rangers 7-3 as Albie Collier netted four times.
Erith Town also put seven past Steyning Town in another ten-goal fixture, with the visitors subduing a threatening Steyning comeback at the start of the second half with four unanswered goals.
Newcastle Town booked their spot in the preliminary round 2-1 in the final ten minutes against Atherstone Town Community, while AFC Rushden & Diamonds put five past Kimberley Miners Welfare without reply.
To view all the results from the Extra Preliminary Round, click here.
