Sholing host SE Dons in FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash

competition and match details

The FA Cup fourth qualifying round takes centre stage on Saturday, 17 October 2026, with Sholing welcoming SE Dons to the Mortgage Decisions Stadium in Southampton. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:00 UTC in what promises to be a keenly contested encounter as both sides aim to progress further in this historic knockout competition.

current form and recent performances

Sholing enter the tie in excellent shape, boasting a perfect record of three wins from their last three matches. Their recent victories include a 2-1 away win against Ebbsfleet United on 3 October, a 1-0 away success at Tiverton Town on 19 September, and a 2-0 home win over Andover New Street on 5 September. Across these matches, Sholing have scored five goals while conceding just one, averaging 1.7 goals scored and 0.3 goals conceded per game, underscoring their solid defensive and attacking displays.

SE Dons come into the game with an even more impressive run, remaining unbeaten in their last five matches. They have won four and drawn one, scoring 13 goals and conceding four. Their recent form features a commanding 5-1 away victory at Weymouth on 3 October, a narrow 3-2 away win against Chichester City on 19 September, and successive home wins over Erith Town (2-0) and Punjab United (2-0) earlier in the campaign. They also drew 1-1 away at Punjab United on 22 August. SE Dons average 2.6 goals per game in this run, with a defensive record conceding 0.8 goals per game, indicating a potent attack combined with a relatively tight defence.

head-to-head and standings implications

While there is no head-to-head data provided for previous meetings between Sholing and SE Dons, the current form of both teams suggests a competitive match ahead. SE Dons’ slightly superior form points of 13 compared to Sholing’s 9 could give them a slight edge as they look to extend their unbeaten run. However, Sholing’s home advantage at the Mortgage Decisions Stadium may be a key factor in balancing the contest. Both sides will be eager to advance to the next stage of the FA Cup, making this a potentially tense and exciting tie.

Recent form