Clapton CFC’s Men’s First Team survived a nervy finish to run out 4-2 winners at the Old Spotted Dog Ground against fellow playoff hopefuls Rayleigh Town FC.
Both teams came into this in excellent form, with Clapton CFC chasing a fourth win on the bounce and Rayleigh unbeaten away and having recently downed high-flying Lymore Gardens in the cup. And the opening exchanges reflected this. Only a couple of excellent early saves from Jack Francis denied the visitors an early lead.
Yet, for all Rayleigh’s early sparkle, it was CCFC who scored first. A Rayleigh foul over towards the Scaffold side touchline yielded a Clapton free kick. Up stepped James Briggs to the usual effect. Cameron Gordon met Briggs’ wicked, curled delivery at the back post, and it was 1-0 Clapton.
CCFC continued to look threatening, with Briggs pulling the strings masterfully from midfield and new crowd favourite David Makisi spreading panic every time he got on the ball. However, Rayleigh weren’t out of it and should have equalised around the 25-minute mark. Only another outstanding Francis save prevented Rob Hodgson’s header from nestling in the corner.
Despite Rayleigh’s pressure, it was Clapton who notched next. A Briggs corner from the right was met with a thumping header from Will Wright at the near post for 2-0.
The celebrations were dented somewhat a few minutes later, however, when an elbow left Julian Austin with blood pouring down his face from a gash that required a hospital visit and 22 stitches. Get well soon, Julian, from everyone at the club.
The second half began much the same as the first, with CCFC applying real pressure to the Rayleigh backline. Rayleigh, for their part, appeared to have switched from the intricate build-up play we saw at times in the first half to more agricultural tactics, often sending the ball high and long.
This played straight into CCFC’s hands in the 50th minute, when the ball was intercepted and knocked to Nathan Cook, who skidded in a low shot from outside the box that deflected past the keeper. Gordon may have taken the last touch, but in truth, no one in the ground seemed to know who for sure. Still, 3-0.
CCFC were really purring now and controlling the game, and they wouldn’t have long to wait for a fourth either. Fred Taylor escaped his marker on the left flank before clipping a short pass to Gordon, who sprinted to the byline. His drilled cross was met by a flying Makisi, who smashed it in on the volley.
4-0 with 30 minutes left, and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was game over. Unfortunately for CCFC, the fourth goal seemed to galvanise Rayleigh. CCFC defenders Sam Cook and Wright both made important last-minute interventions to prevent goals.
Rayleigh were sensing a consolation goal, and they got one. After a questionable refereeing decision to wave play on after what looked like a foul on Taylor, Rayleigh substitute Arnold Acheampong controlled the ball well from a lofted pass, rounded goalkeeper Francis and tucked the ball into the net.
It seemed like a consolation goal would be all it was, but Rayleigh began to play with real drive and confidence, sparking some nervous muttering among the CCFC support. This wasn’t helped when Hodgson scored probably the pick of the game’s six goals for Rayleigh. A short pass found him in too much space in the corner of the box, giving him the freedom to look up and chip the ball over a stranded Francis into the far corner.
The nerves were really jangling now, especially when five added minutes went up on the board. However, CCFC dug in and held on, withstanding a couple of late corner kicks to finish deserved winners.
The win moves CCFC up to fourth in the table and saw us break a couple of team records: the 100th league win and the fifteenth consecutive game we’ve scored in.
The CCFC Men’s First Team are next in action away at May & Baker FC on Saturday, October 18.
Rob Stafford
Highlights
Photos
