Clapton CFC produced one of their most complete away performances of the season to beat an on-form FC Romania up in Cheshunt.
There were three changes to the CCFC XI who played in last week’s draw with Hutton, with Jeff Twumasi, Ross Broadway and Flavien Stierlen starting.
Clapton started well and were seeing plenty of the ball, only for FC Romania to hit us with a sucker-punch counter-attack. The ball was played down the right wing, their winger swung a cross in, and somehow an FC Romania striker squirmed it in. However, after a long discussion with his assistant, the referee ruled it out, presumably for offside.
After that let-off, Clapton responded by increasing the pressure, with a couple of headed half-chances flying over. The breakthrough came in fortunate circumstances on 29 minutes when Stierlen swung in a cross (or was it a shot) from the left which sailed over the keeper.
Clapton went into the break with a 1–0 lead that felt merited but far from secure. The game became more comfortable on 57 minutes when James Briggs whipped in a corner and Sam Cook powered a header into the net.
Soon, Clapton nearly added a spectacular third when Cook’s centre-back partner Adam Sidky thundered a left-footed volley off the crossbar.
The decisive third did eventually arrive. In the 81st minute, a corner swung in by Fred Taylor found Nico Bunduku who rose perfectly at the back post and planted a superb header into the net. That was his second goal in as many games, even more impressive given he only played 15 minutes in each as sub.
Austin went close again with a curling shot destined for the top corner, only for the Romania keeper to make an acrobatic save.
It was full-time soon after and a tricky away fixture navigated against hosts who had won their last two games impressively after appointing a new manager.
A final word for the people running FC Romania for their warm welcome and hospitality, and best wishes for the rest of the season.
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