Match preview // Clapton CFC Women’s First Team vs Brentford // 30.11.25

Clapton Community FC vs Brentford takes place on Sunday, November 30 2025 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, 212 Upton Lane, Forest Gate, East London, E7 9NP.

Sunday sees the Clapton CFC Women’s First Team’s final chance to lift a cup this season. However, we face just about the hardest draw possible in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Cup third round against Brentford from the division above.

It seemed like our meetings with The Bees would have ended in May after they won the title and promotion with a 4-2 win at the Old Spotted Dog Ground. However, the cup draw has brought them back to the OSD six months later.

About the competition

This is one of two league cup competitions that the L&SERWFL operates. All teams start in the L&SERWFL Cup then the losers in the first two rounds drop into the L&SERWFL Trophy.

This season has seen our best run in the L&SERWFL Cup, having beaten Hastings United and then Actonians Res both away so far.

In the L&SERWFL Trophy, we’ve fared much better, reaching the final twice, including last season against Dulwich Hamlet Res

About the opposition

Brentford Women began in 1990 and were promoted to the London & South East Regional Women’s Division One North five seasons ago. The side went agonisingly close to promotion several times before finally achieving reaching the L&SERWFL Premier with a near perfect season last year. In the summer, long-term manager Karleigh Osborne moved to a club ambassador role. New boss Carly Williams has arrived from Arsenal, along with lots of impressive new signings, as they chase another promotion.

Form guide

Brentford won the first 8 games this season. However, they’ve drawn one and lost two since then. They beat Sevenoaks Town 7-1 in the previous round of this cup.

Previous meetings

Brentford have won 6 of our 8 meetings, including 7-0 last September in front of a 3585 crowd. Our one draw was 2-2 at home late in the previous season, which contributed to Sport London e Benfica pipping The Bees to promotion. Our only win came in 2020/21, 3-1 on a very muddy Stray Dog pitch in Walthamstow.

Player/s to watch

Ashley Cheatley has been shortlisted for the FIFA Marta Award for one of her 46(!) goals last season. Football freestyler Chelsie Berry is currently this season’s top scorer with 6 goals having progressed from the B team.

Entrance – where and when

Gates will open at 1pm for a 2pm kick off.

Spectator entry remains via the Upton Lane gate, next to the Spotted Dog pub. 212 Upton Lane, E7 9NP (What3Words: option.dark.limes).

However…. it’s just a 30 second walk down the Walter Tull Way if you want to arrive via Disraeli Road, (E7 9JT, lifted.paying.influencing) instead.

Admission prices

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay at the turnstiles.

Standard: £5
Concessions: Pay what you can
Under 13s: Free 

Concessions include: 

  • Clapton CFC members 
  • Newham residents 
  • Teenagers (13 to 19)
  • Over 60s
  • Students and apprentices
  • Trade union members
  • Unemployed people and those on low income
  • People with disabilities and health conditions 
  • Refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants 

The concessions option is available to anyone who needs it. No ID is required to qualify for concessions, we will take your word for it. At the turnstile, just say that you are a concession (you don’t need to say which) and pay what you can for entry.

If you can afford it, however, please do pay the £5 standard price.

Public transport

There are 7 stations, on umpteen different lines, within walking distance of the Old Spotted Dog.

  • Forest Gate (Elizabeth) – 14 minutes’ walk
  • Wanstead Park (Suffragette) – 17 minutes’ walk
  • Plaistow (District/Hammersmith & City) – 19 minutes’ walk
  • Upton Park (District/Hammersmith & City) – 19 minutes’ walk
  • Maryland (Elizabeth) – 22 minutes’ walk
  • Abbey Road (DLR) – 26 minutes’ walk
  • Stratford (National Rail/Mildmay/Elizabeth/Jubilee/Central/DLR) – 28 minutes’ walk

Buses

These bus services stop on Upton Lane (St Georges Road stop or Stratford School stop, 4 minutes’ walk away)

325 (from East Beckton or Prince Regent)
678 (From Beckton or Stratford)

These bus services stop on Romford Road (Disraeli Road stop, 7 minutes’ walk away).

25 (from City of London or Ilford)
86 (from Stratford or Romford)
425 (from Lower Clapton or Ilford)

These bus services stop on Woodgrange Road (Claremont Road or Romford Road stops, 11 minutes’ walk away).

58 (from Walthamstow or East Ham)
330 (from Forest Gate or Silvertown)

Here are some even more detailed directions.

Bikes

You can park your bike on the fencing at the back near to the main stand. We are currently working on plans for a better bike parking and locking system – watch this space.

Parking

There is no parking on site.

Parking is free on the streets to the north and west of the ground (e.g. Disraeli Rd) on Saturdays and Sundays.

On Saturdays, parking is restricted on streets to the east and south of the ground (e.g. St George’s Rd and Upton Lane), but there are no restrictions on Sundays.

Always check local signage for any changes. And if possible come by public transport, bike or walk

Drinks

London’s oldest senior football ground has one of the best bars around, too.

The Clubhouse bar will be open an hour before kick off with a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale.

Due to our licence, we ask that you don’t bring your own booze in. The profits from the bar are invested in maintaining and improving the grounds.

Returnable pint and half-pint cups

The Clubhouse has ditched single use plastic and switching to returnable pint and half-pint cups.

Just pay a £2 deposit, which is refunded when you return the cup to the bar. If you’d rather keep the cup, you’re welcome to take it home.

Hot drinks

We have coffee, tea, hot chocolate and Bovril in the Clubhouse on a ‘help yourself’ basis.

There’s no charge if you bring your own reusable cup. If you need a cup, buy one at the bar for £1 then refill it as many times as you like.

Please make sure any children using the water heater are supervised.

Water

We have tap water at the bar, please help yourself. If you want a water bottle filled, we have a water fountain outside the new toilet block, or you can ask at the bar.

Food

Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food with meat, veggie and vegan options.

We usually have crisps, nuts, scampi fries and sweets on sale in the clubhouse.

Toilets

The new toilet block is now open next to the seated stand.

These are in addition to the toilets in the Clubhouse.

Merch for sale

The merch stall is open before the game and at half-time. The stall can be found inside the Clubhouse, on the stage. The merch stall is taking cards only at the moment.

Most of the merch is also available to buy online on our store page.

Matchday programme

We produce a small (four-page) printed programme for all competitive Women and Men’s First Team home games. Pick one up for free.

The programmes are also uploaded to the website after the game for those who could not make it. You can also buy a bundle of six random programmes for £3 from our website.

Cash or card?

Both cash and cards are accepted everywhere in the ground – entrance, bar, and food stall – except the merch stall, which is card only.

Paying cash at the entrance is speedier for all, so if you can bring the right money in hard currency, we would appreciate it.

Hygiene bank collection

The hygiene bank collection is back at all home games, with a new permanent collection point inside the ground.

Our charity partners Magpie Project support mums and young children in temporary accommodation. They need:

● Toothpaste ● Toothbrush ● Shower gel ● Shampoo ● Deodorant ● Sanitary towel

Pitch access

The Grounds committee request all spectators keep off the pitch before games and at half-time. They need to carry out safety pitch inspections before play begins, which are voided if people have gone on the pitch.

Due to the wet weather, and with games coming thick and fast, we ask people also stay off the pitch after the game at the moment please.

Children welcome

Prams and pushchairs are always very welcome at the OSD, but please avoid blocking walkways. Make sure all children are behind the perimeter fencing during games too please.

Due to the wet weather, and with games coming thick and fast, we ask people also stay off the pitch after the game at the moment please.

Dogs welcome

Spectators are welcome, in fact encouraged, to bring dogs to the OSD, but please keep on leads. It’s free entry for dogs.

Any questions?

If you have any further questions, look for anyone wearing a pink hi-viz vest or the bar staff who will be happy to answer.