Clapton CFC welcome Leyton Orient Development to the Stray Dog on Sunday, October 2oth. 

Our opponents from down the road are in tier 6 in the Greater London Women’s Football League Premier Division, one division above Clapton CFC. In fact they’re top of that league.

However, it’s a cup game – the Capital Women’s Cup to be precise – so anything can happen,

Orient captain Maisie Cannon provided us with some insight to the team.

How has the start of the 19/20 season been for the team?

Despite the positive performances, this season started off with a loss and a draw in the first two fixtures.

The progression of the team has been extremely encouraging and the hard work has since earned three convincing league wins over Godalming Town LFC, Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Thirds, and Sutton United.

As the results suggest it has taken time to craft our own style of play but each week seems to be a step in the right direction and things start to be clicking into place.

Have you seen a lot of changes to the squad from last season?

Although many of the squad played together last season, there are still many new faces throughout, both in playing and coaching roles.

It has taken time to gel as a group but it does feel as though a real identity is now being formed.

What is really good to see is that we have had almost as many new players on the score sheet in games so far this season as existing squad members.

It is a real credit to both the players themselves that have come in and adapted really quickly and also to the coaching team who have helped integrate players to get the best out of each individual.

What are your ambitions for this season? 

It is still early in the league campaign to be able to assess the team’s potential to be title winners but it is certainly something that the team will be collectively striving for.

As with all teams it would be great to win some silverware and a win [in this Cup tie] would really be a positive step forward towards achieving that.

As a development team it is a big part of the team and club to ensure that we are moving forward and constantly learning.

It is hoped that players from our team will go on to represent our first team in the Women’s National League.

This will be a tough game for Clapton, but as the Tons have shown so far this season, they are willing to take on any challenge. 

Come along and help cheer the team on, hopefully to a famous victory!

Match information

The game takes place on Sunday, October 20th 2019 at 2pm at the Stray Dog, Wadham Lodge, Kitchener Road, Walthamstow, E17 4JP.

The Stray Dog is the pitch to the left as you enter the Wadham Lodge car park. There is covered and uncovered standing.

Entry as always is free, but we welcome donations, with a suggested £3 for waged adults.

We have a range of merch on sale at all home games, including our away shirts.

Our full-colour matchday programme will be on sale. There’s a different cover artist each time.

Fusion Foods will be selling hot food at the entrance. They will have meat, veggie and vegan options and accept cards or cash.

Our landlords Matchday Centres run an outside can bar and a full bar inside.

Magpie Project collection

At each game we collect food and toiletries for our charity partner, the Magpie Project. They support mums and young children who live in temporary and emergency accommodation.

If you have any of these to spare, please bring them to our collection point at the entrance:

● Toothpaste ● Toothbrushes ● Shower gel ● Shampoo ● Soap ● Deodorant ● Bags of rice ● Bags of pasta ● Breakfast cereals ● Washing powder

Directions

Wadham Lodge is about 20 minutes walk from Walthamstow Central station. Turn onto Hoe Street and follow the road all the way along (past the junction with The Bell pub) until Chingford Lane. Continue past Sir George Monoux 6th Form College and take the first right onto Brookscroft Road then left onto Kitchener Road.

You can catch a bus along that route too. The 357, 34, 97, 215 will all take you to the top of Brookscroft Road from Walthamstow Central. It will take about 12 minutes.

There’s also plenty of car parking space available at the ground.

Any more questions? Email comms@claptoncfc.co.uk or the Facebook event is here.