A rare Thursday night game under the lights in the London & South East Regional Women’s League Division One North saw Clapton CFC Women’s First Team battle to a well-fought 1-0 win against impressive visitors AFC Greenwich Borough.
Both teams came into this game on decent form and were separated by just one place in the table, with Clapton looking to bounce back after a disappointing defeat last time out away at Actonians Reserves. And Alice Sharpe’s team set about doing just that, having the better of the opening exchanges.
Marta Boiro, Maria Mendonca, and Li Steiner all went close in the first twenty minutes, with Clapton dominating possession and chances. However, AFC Greenwich Borough – formerly familiar foes Welling United – grew into the game as the half wore on, disrupting CCFC’s passing game well at times. Greenwich’s number 11, playing as a right winger, looked particularly dangerous every time they received the ball.
However, CCFC keeper Ella Bowles (who would go on to put in a vintage goalkeeping performance) was equal to the few chances Greenwich were able to fashion during the first half. Things remained deadlocked at 0-0 as the two teams trudged off at the break.
The second half began with Aimee Shaw, returning from injury, joining the fray in place of the excellent Boiro – a change that would shortly pay dividends. So it was that two minutes later, that Shaw reacted quickest in a packed goalmouth to turn home Leigha Bradding-Butler’s cross and mark her return with a goal. 1-0 CCFC.
Greenwich weren’t down or out, however, and responded immediately. A pinpoint ball from the back sliced through Clapton’s midfield and defence, playing Greenwich’s number 9 clean through on Bowles’ goal. Bowles reacted superbly, rushing out to deny what appeared to be a formality with a sharp save.
Clapton had to dig deep as Greenwich came on stronger in the closing stages. Sharpe brought on Min-jung Kim, Annie Lyons, and Sophie Ugur to add fresh legs and see the game out. But it was Bowles who’d come to CCFC’s rescue once again. A wicked corner delivery found a Greenwich head, and the resulting header looked destined to loop just under the bar. However, Bowles didn’t think so, leaping to tip the ball over the bar with a first-class save.
Greenwich continued to push, but to no avail. Clapton absorbed everything the visitors could throw at them in the final minutes to hold on for a hard-fought but well-deserved victory. The win sees CCFC climb to fifth in the table and very much in playoff contention even at this early stage.
CCFC Women’s First Team are next in action away at Hackney WFC on Sunday, 26th October at 3.30 pm. The game takes place at our former home, Wadham Lodge, so come down to support the team and bask in some nostalgia.
Rob Stafford
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