Clapton CFC vs Cricklewood Wanderers preview: Men’s first team bid to go top

We’re getting to the business end of the season now as two promotion hopefuls go head to head on the Stray Dog in Walthamstow.

There are just seven league games left for the men’s first team, who are sat in second in the table having won four games in a row. 

A win here would take us top of the division again, as leaders NW London are in cup action, although they’d have 3 games in hand.

This is scheduled to be the men’s first team’s second last game on the Stray Dog and it’s the start of four home league games in a row.

It’s also our second game against Cricklewood Wanderers within weeks after beating them here to reach the Alec Smith Premier Cup final.

Cricklewood have been consistently near the top of the table in the last few Covid-affected seasons, in second place in 2019/20 then sixth in 2020/21.

This time around they are currently seventh, although if they win this and their game in hand, they’d go just one point behind us.

Our record against Cricklewood is mixed but improving. We lost our first meeting, 5-0 away in 2018/19. 

The following season we drew 1-1 away in the league and then won 2-0 in the post-season Middlesex Super 6 League competition.

Earlier this season we earned a 2-1 comeback win away in the league before the 2-0 cup win last month.

Cricklewood Wanderers have a short, but inspirational history. The club was formed in 2011 by a group of young people with help from homeless charity Ashford Place.

It is now run by Youth Engagement Solutions (YES), a charity which helps young people in education, employment, training, sport and health. They have four teams – boys, girls, first team and reserves.

Match information

Clapton CFC vs Cricklewood Wanderers is on Saturday, April 2 2022 at 3pm at the Stray Dog, Wadham Lodge, 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 will be selling hot and cold meat, veggie and vegan options and accept cards or cash. The Matchday Centres bar will be open and possibly an outside can bar too. 

Don’t forget the hygiene bank collection for our charity partners Magpie Project. You can donate toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, sanitary towels and deodorant at the entrance.

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.

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