Clapton claimed a derby day win on Sunday afternoon, defeating Hackney WFC 2-0 in the quarter final of the London & South East Regional Women’s League Trophy, reports Harry Gillies.

Goals from Tammy Hymas and Marta Boiro saw Clapton into the semi-final as they won the day in the East London derby. 

Sprits were high going into the contest as fans came down in their numbers to enjoy a Clapton win under clear blue skies and glorious sunshine. 

A change in line-up saw Sophie Ugur come in on the right wing and Hymas making a first start for the First Team in midfield. 

Both Ugur and Maria Mendonca looked bright in the early stages. Clapton matched Hackney’s intensity in the middle of the park as the home side put in several strong challenges 

Hackney came close to opening the scoring with a header from a free kick that just went wide of the far right post, an early scare for Clapton. 

The home side settled down, as captain Emily Link began to run the show with her instant control and fast combination play with Hymas to launch Clapton attacks. 

Hymas showed superb vision and played an incisive ball through the lines, forcing the keeper to charge out for the clearance. 

Clapton keeper Janell Mathurin was called into action, saving a stinging left foot volley from outside the box. 

Link dropped deep and flicked a pass beyond the Hackney defense and into the path of Hymas. The midfielder, having timed her run perfectly, latched on to the ball and guided it past the onrushing keeper to put Clapton ahead. 

The Old Spotted Dog erupted as fans broke out in song, proclaiming: “We’re the famous CCFC and we’re going to Wembley.”

Clapton put on the style and delighted fans with quick passing from midfield to the wings, with Hymas and Link at the heart of things. 

Link brilliantly robbed the Hackney keeper and chased down the ball, but her lunging effort from a wide angle could not find the open goal. 

Clapton were awarded a free kick on the left. Boiro stepped up and, with full intent, whipped the ball fast into the top left corner to put Clapton 2-0 up just before half time. 

Boiro described the moment after the match: “It was the perfect spot. I was looking at the top left corner and I saw the ball going in slow motion. In was a long time since I’ve scored one so it felt really good.” 

The second half began with more fast, dynamic play from Clapton as Mendonca devastated defenders down the right-hand side.

Hymas spun her opponent with a flick round the corner before playing Link through. The Clapton striker hit it early on the bounce, firing the ball through the keeper’s grasp but she did well to get back and save it off the line.

Hackney were not out of the fight and produced some good play down the right but lacked the cutting edge. 

Oskia Summers replaced Mendonca with 20 minutes to go. The attacker chased down every lost cause and held up play as Clapton went for a third. 

Hymas threaded an inch perfect pass through the heart of Hackney forcing the keeper out for a last gasp clearance. 

A Hackney free kick saw Mathurin produce a fine save with 15 minutes to go, ensuring Clapton maintained momentum to see out the game. 

From some 30 yards out, Link spun and unleashed a volley that soared towards the top right corner, denied at the last second by an outstanding save from Hackney’s keeper. 

Link will surely remember that strike as one of the cleanest volleys of her season. 

The final whistle blew as fans and players celebrated in the evening sun, relishing the next cup tie at the Old Spotted Dog – the semi-final on Sunday, March 30.