Harlow Town FC vs Clapton Community FC takes place on Saturday, November 25 2023 with a 3pm kick off at the Harlow Arena, Elizabeth Way Harlow Essex CM19 5BE

The Clapton CFC men’s first team’s 15-game unbeaten run and spot at the top of the Eastern Counties League table will be severely at risk on Saturday as we visit one of the promotion favourites.

Harlow Town FC are five points behind us but with two games in hand, so this is a crucial game at the top of the level. It’s a long season though and there will be plenty more twists and turns for both teams.

The opposition

Harlow Town FC was formed in 1879, making it one of the oldest clubs in Essex. They joined the Isthmian League in the early 1970s and were there for the best part of half a century.

Their FA Cup run to the fourth round in 1979/80 hit the headlines, with eight wins including against Southend United and Leicester City, before finally losing 4-3 away to Graham Taylor’s Watford. Since that time Harlow have reached the first round on four further occasions, the last of which was in season 2007-08.

The Harlow Arena is their third ground, which they moved into in 2006, and the 3G pitch was laid in the summer of 2013.

This season they have had to start again in the Eastern Counties League, dropping two levels, after withdrawing due to problems with the 3G pitch. That has thankfully been resolved and they will be looking to rapidly rise back up the tiers.

The Hawks have the biggest average attendances in the division – ahead of ourselves in second place – and no doubt there will be a bumper crowd for this one. That means CCFC will be in the rare position of being outnumbered (and possibly unsung).

Previous meetings

This is our first meeting.

Players to watch

Top scorer Gavin Cockman has sadly been forced to retire with injury after scoring 12 goals already this season. Former Leyton Orient and Crystal Palace youth striker Ishaq Ahmeen is still a teenager but has 9 goals.

Form guide

The Hawks are in fourth place and have won four of their last five games so are right up there on the form table too. Clapton CFC are top of the league and unbeaten in 15 but have drawn three more games than any other club.

Admission

Admission prices for league matches at Harlow Town are as follows: Adults: £8 – Concessions: £5 – Under 18s -free – Programmes: £2.

Direction

By train: Harlow Town Station is just a 16 minute journey from Tottenham Hale. The ground is then a 34 minute walk from the station.

Come out of Harlow Town Station and walk to the right up to the roundabout. Cross over the A414 and walk along the A1169 passing the rugby and cricket grounds before coming to the ground on the right hand side.

The town has plenty of taxi services from both the rail station and bus terminal at the town centre. There is no bus service to the ground, though.

By car: The Harlow Arena is situated on the western side of town just off of the Roydon Road (A1169) on the Pinnacles Industrial Estate. Postcode for satnav is CM19 5BE.