The Clapton CFC Men’s First Team lost 5-3 on penalties to AS London in the first round of the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Football League Challenge Cup, after a tense, scrappy affair under the lights at The Old Spotted Dog Ground.
In truth, this wasn’t a game that’ll live long in the memory. A heavily rotated home side – featuring debutant goalkeeper, Chris Mathers, and with just Jack Mellors and Robin Philpott in the dugout – probably just about shaded it, but were unable to make periods of promise pay.
CCFC started with real intent and aggression; a gloriously volleyed Bailey Pryce cross from the left deserved better than the mad scramble in the box it resulted in. However, the team
ultimately struggled to turn early pressure into meaningful chances as AS London (who most of us will remember as Park View) grew into the game.
AS London had the best chances of the first half. First, a beautifully weighted ball put their number nine through on goal, only for Pryce to appear from nowhere and execute a millimetre-perfect sliding challenge to deny him. This was followed by a free kick from just outside the area that grazed Mather’s crossbar.
And that was about it for the first half.
The second half began with a scare, with Clapton’s defence called into a bizarre pinball rearguard, ending in a goal-line clearance from Charlie Fagan, captain for the night. The fans in the Scaffold began to fear the worst, but if anything, Clapton rallied.
Joel Akuwudike went closest, rounding the keeper cleverly, only to lack the finish his footwork deserved. From there, the game became frenetic. The action was more akin to the fourth quarter of an NBA playoff than a football match, as both sides hustled to try and finish it in normal time.
Second-half sub Louis Brown and Julian Austin both went agonisingly close for Clapton but couldn’t quite finish. Even the introduction of last season’s top scorer, Fred Taylor and debutant Enzo Pina couldn’t break the deadlock.
As the clock ticked past the ninety-minute mark, Clapton survived a late scare with AS London’s forwards combining smartly to finish, only to see the linesman flag for offside. Having survived that knockout punch, penalties beckoned, and the home side would’ve fancied their chances shooting towards the clubhouse in front of a crowd gathered behind the goal.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. After a collection of excellent penalties from both sides, the unlucky Taylor missed to send AS London through and Clapton out.
Our congratulations to AS London, and best of luck in the second round. However, all is not lost. We’ve still got plenty of cup football at the OSD to look forward to, with Saturday’s FA Vase tie against Enfield Borough and Tuesday’s BBC Essex Cup game against Romford to come.
Rob Stafford
Match highlights
Photos
