Sholing achieved a milestone by reaching the FA Cup proper for the first time in their history, following a hard-fought victory over Step 5 side SE Dons. The match, played on October 17, 2026, saw Sholing secure a 2-0 win, with key contributions from Reece Wylie, who played a crucial role in both goals.

Wylie initially forced an error from the opposing goalkeeper George Kamarusi, resulting in an own goal to give Sholing the lead in the 32nd minute. Later, on the 58th minute, Wylie was quick to react to a blocked shot by Jake McCarthy and converted the rebound to double the advantage. Despite intense pressure from SE Dons, Sholing maintained their lead to seal their historic progression.

Paul Doswell, Sholing’s joint-manager, who previously guided Sutton United on a notable FA Cup run that included a victory over Leeds United and a fixture against Arsenal, described the match as tightly contested. "It was a tight game, their keeper has pulled some really good saves. They have some really good players. It was fairly even throughout, but we got the goals at the right time," Doswell said.

The match saw early chances from both sides. Tommy Willard’s early effort for Sholing went over the bar, while Wylie was denied by Kamarusi’s save when attempting a low strike. SE Dons posed a threat on the counterattack, with Josh Bohui narrowly thwarted by Sholing’s goalkeeper Jack Turner after a well-placed pass from Ralti Hand.

SE Dons had an impressive cup run leading up to this stage, having defeated four clubs from higher leagues. However, they were unable to find the net in the final hurdle despite sustained pressure. Players like Hand, Arron Watson, and Bohui created opportunities but were unsuccessful in breaking down Sholing’s defense.

SE Dons manager Antonio Gonnella expressed his disappointment following the match, calling the goals conceded "two of the worst" of their season. "It was absolutely gut-wrenching. I'm proud of my boys going toe to toe with a Step 3 club," Gonnella remarked, acknowledging his team’s spirited performance despite the defeat.

The victory marks an important achievement for Sholing, as they now advance to compete in the FA Cup proper for the first time, adding a notable chapter to their club’s history.