Letterhead secured a comfortable 3:0 victory over Croydon Athletic in the first round qualifying of the FA Cup on 5 September 2026. The hosts dominated proceedings from the outset, capitalising on their home advantage to control the tempo throughout. Croydon struggled to establish any meaningful rhythm against a well-organised Letterhead side.
The home side's recent form suggested confidence heading into this fixture. They had drawn 1:1 with Ashford Town in mid-July before winning 3:2 against Dorking Wanderers on the 11th. More impressively, they produced back-to-back victories over Harrow Borough and Hampton & Richmond, winning 3:2 and 2:0 respectively. This momentum carried through into the cup tie.
Croydon's preparation offered fewer positives. Their most recent outing saw a 3:2 win over Sevenoaks Town on 29 August, but prior to that they suffered a heavy 5:2 defeat to Folkestone Invicta on 4 July. Their last competitive appearance before that was a 4:3 loss to Beckenham Town in August 2023—a significant gap in their competitive schedule.
Letterhead's performance reflected their growing solidity. They pinned Croydon back for large periods and punished them when opportunities arose. The visitors never really found their footing, and by the time the final whistle blew, the result seemed entirely deserved. Things came to a head in the first half, with Letterhead closing the game out comfortably.
This victory moves Letterhead into the next round of the competition. They have not lost since their defeat to Horsham in January, and this clean sheet adds to their growing reputation. Croydon's cup campaign ends here, with questions remaining about their consistency at this level.