Last weekend the women’s first team were due to play their first game on the Wadham Lodge Stadium pitch, only for overnight rainfall to block that.
But we got the game on regardless and it ended up being a superb 3-0 win over Bromley – who hadn’t lost a league game in over two years – on the muddy Stray Dog pitch instead.
This Sunday our team will actually, finally make their debut in the stadium – fingers crossed – against Edgware Town for their first visit to us in the league.
In October, in heavy rain interspersed with sunshine, we beat them 4-0 at Silver Jubilee Park. Emily Link bagged a hat-trick and Marta Boiro scored direct from a corner, though the game was a lot closer than the scoreline may suggest.
But we’d actually played them once before, in a friendly at Chobham Academy, winning 2-1, in March 2020 just before the Coronavirus lockdown.
The Lions come into the game in good form having won their last two games – a league game against Enfield Town Thirds and a cup game against Headstone Manor.
The team was only formed five years ago but has risen quickly up the ranks. They were promoted alongside Headstone, Bromley, Sutton United U23 and Walton Casuals Reserves last season and have adjusted well to life in the GLWFL Premier.
They’ve been scoring for fun too, with Polina Avramova hitting 10 goals, Kalina Georgieva 8 and Monique Mitchell-Marshall 7.
The women’s team share the impressive 3G facility at Silver Jubilee Park with the men’s teams Edgware and Hendon.
Match information
Clapton CFC vs Edgware Town is on Sunday, February 13 2022 at 2pm at the Wadham Lodge Stadium, Kitchener Road, Walthamstow.
Advanced tickets are not needed, you can just turn up. Entry as usual is free but with donations welcome, with a suggested £3 for waged adults.
We will have a mini programme available at the entrance, pick one up for free, donations welcome.
Fusion Foods are back selling hot food. They will have meat, veggie and vegan options and accept cards or cash. The Matchday Centres bar will be open.
We are collecting for our charity partners Magpie Project but it’s toiletries only, they can’t accept foodbank donations right now.
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 car parking space available at the ground but it may be better to park on a street nearby.
Covid rules
- Please do not attend if you are ill, have symptoms, tested positive, been told to self-isolate or have been pinged
- If you’re arriving by public transport, a reminder that face masks are still compulsory unless exempt
- Spectators are encouraged to wear face masks indoors, such as when visiting the bar or toilets
- There’s hand sanitiser at the entrance and a QR code for those checking in on the app
- Free NHS lateral flow tests are available and we recommend you take a test before the game
- Please follow the signs around the site and instructions from matchday volunteers
- Spread out around the ground as much as you can
An important note
Matchday Centres have asked us to ensure that there is no more use of pyro, flares, smoke etc on their property.
This has caused damage to their facilities and complaints from staff, officials and neighbours.
They have also banned glass bottles after a serious incident during a game not involving Clapton.
We have a good working relationship with MDC, who have played an invaluable role in helping us establish the club.
They have said that a failure to observe these rules will lead to sanctions that would be damaging for the club, including but not limited to requiring us to play behind closed doors.
We ask all our fans to respect MDC’s requests in solidarity with our teams and everyone who works hard to run the club.