Clapton produced a sensational second-half comeback at the seaside in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Cup.
After an even, largely uneventful first half, Hastings United broke the deadlock in fine style on 42 minutes with a brilliant dribbling run and powerful shot from Naomi Corrigan.
Shortly after half-time, Ella Roper doubled Hastings’ advantage and the home side almost scored a third soon after but Ella Bowles pulled off a great save.
Afterwards, the CCFC players still felt the game was far from over and so it proved. In the 55th minute, the turnaround began when Egle Trezzi met Marta Boiro’s corner at the near post to pull one back.
Within a minute Emily Link had levelled the scores, brilliantly lobbing the Hastings keeper from a tight angle.
As time ran out – and with the prospect of extra time looming – both teams went all out for the winner.
It was Clapton who got the decisive next goal, with Boiro lifting a deft lob into the net from the edge of the box.
Hastings kept pushing, but CCFC sealed victory in stoppage time when defender Eva van der Vliet scored her first goal for the club. Her long clearance from the half-way line was huge and a cruel bounce took it over the impressive Hastings keeper and into the net.
A memorable end to a memorable away win that takes us to Actonians Reserves in the second round of the cup.