In the Men’s First Team last game of the season, Clapton Community FC bested Forest Hill Park to be crowned SCEFL Cup champions. Obi Lazarus reports from Mayesbrook Park, home of Barking FC…

Likely Forest Hill Park’s last game under that name before it changes to their better known alias ‘SE Dons’, this was their last chance at glory having already lost in the play-offs to Soul Tower Hamlets earlier this week, after a disappointing end to an otherwise dominant season. Goals from Fred Taylor (x2) and Joel Akuwudike cancelled out Georgi Steeds’ penalty to cruise CCFC to victory.

Over 1200 clambered through the turnstiles for a view of the SCEFL Cup Final between the league’s two best supported clubs. The Clapton fans placed themselves on the terrace behind the goal, and by the corner at the opposite side, while Forest Hill Park supporters occupied the main stand opposite the dugout, watching on from the middle of the park.

Any nerves that had been present before the game would have been cooled, if not abolished, by Akuwudike’s opener which came just four minutes after kick-off, while many on-lookers were still bundling through the gates. After Noah Adejokun beat his man down the left-hand side, he fired in a tempting cross into the six yard box which was met by Akuwudike’s brave, thumping header to put Clapton ahead.

The celebrations were long-lasting, and were still going on when Taylor doubled the lead just three minutes later. After youngster Jacob Wintour beat Forest Hill Park’s left half in an aerial battle, he sped down the wing into the box, forcing Forest Hill Park’s keeper, George Kamurasi, to close down the ball. Faced with the biggest and one of the best keepers in the league, Wintour stayed calm and lifted it over Kamurasi’s trailing leg to find Taylor at the back post who was left with the simple task of slotting it in. 2-0. This may be the final test of the season for both clubs, but it is far from the final challenge for Wintour who will be sitting his A-Levels in the upcoming weeks.

Although SE Dons had a couple of chances, attacker Ryan Palmer finding the post with his left-sided delivery for example, the chances were multiplying at the other end of the field. Just before the half-time whistle, after winning a key battle in midfield and regaining possession, Akuwudike marched forward with the ball and played it through to Julian Austin who slipped it between Forest Hill Park’s right centre-half and right fullback to find Taylor. One-on-one, Taylor slotted it into the top right hand corner of the net to send Clapton into the break at 3-0.

Chants of ‘Championes, Championes, Ole Ole Ole’ started to break out. It was hard to see Forest Hill Park regaining a foothold. Into the second half, both sets of fans were making themselves heard. The Dons’ ‘punters’ encouraged their team to mount a comeback while their adversaries had not yet ceased their songs of celebration.

Forest Hill Park’s Ulrich Fisher had the first real chance of the second half finding himself in a shooting position just 10 yards away from the Clapton goal in a promising position, though he failed to find the target and sent the ball over the bar. At the other end, Clapton almost made it 4-0 when Taylor drove down the right flank and played it across the face of the goal, though neither Adejokun nor Wintour could find the finishing touch.

In the 66th minute, Forest Hill Park had an opportunity to get back in the game, after a successful handball appeal won them a penalty, and they snatched it with both hands. Steeds stepped up to take it in front of the jeering Clapton supporters, but took no notice and smashed it in.

Soon after, it looked like they would add a second when Palmer finessed it towards the top corner, but captain Jack Francis stretched at full reach to tip it over the bar. The final whistle blew. 3-1 and Clapton had done it – the players immediately dashed to the most dense section of supporters to celebrate.

Cue medals, cue celebration, cue cup champions!