Clapton CFC men’s first team went top of the league after finally beating Indian Gymkhana at the fourth attempt.
A goal in each half from Sherwin Stanley and Noah Adejokun were enough to register a fourth league win in a row putting the poor form of winter firmly behind us.
Within the first 20 minutes, Stanley had gone close three times, but the Indian Gymkhana keeper was equal to each one.
Then a turning point, and a real let-off, as a cross was blasted over the bar by the Gymkhana striker from the edge of the six-yard box.
Then Julian Austin found himself in space, but directed his header straight at the keeper, while James Briggs‘ dead ball crosses were causing panic.
The crucial first goal went CCFC’s way on 35 minutes, with Geoff Ocran delivering a perfect cross for Stanley to head in his 11th of the season.
The Tons defended their slender lead resolutely for the next 45 minutes, and just as Gymkhana committed more players forward in search of an equaliser, the second goal came.
It was Noah Adejokun who bagged the all-important goal, on hand to tuck it away after the keeper got a hand to Austin’s shot.
It was Noah’s second in successive games after his thunderbolt against Wilberforce Wanderers smashed in off the underside of the bar.
For all the jitters about the Gymkhana jinx, and then the early scare, it was a thoroughly efficient performance.
With results going our way elsewhere, we moved top of the league, although both NW London and Brentham can easily leapfrog us with games in hand.
Nevertheless our chances of silverware – indeed a double given we are in a cup final too – have substantially improved in the last few weeks. It’s going to be an exciting last seven games.
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