A disastrous opening ten minutes for the Clapton CFC Women’s First Team saw a clinical Actonians Reserves race into a 3-0 lead, including two goals from corners.
Leigha Bradding-Butler provided a lifeline in the 14th minute, racing onto a through ball and poking it past the on-rushing keeper to make it 1-3. However, Actonians added a fourth in the 40th minute to end any realistic hopes of an amazing comeback.
Despite a much improved second-half display, including a change of formation and multiple substitutions including the returning Ciara Monahan’s first appearance for the First Team since 2023, the mountain left to climb proved too steep for CCFC.
Bradding-Butler was inches away from a second, striking the post from the edge of the box in the 68th minute. As the clock ticked down, Clapton continued to link up dangerously, but the finishing touch remained elusive.
On the counter-attack, Actonians saw two efforts ruled out for offside and also hit the bar in stoppage time, but in the end it was a goalless second half.
Next up, a free weekend, then a tough trip away to Bromley on Sunday, February 22.
Photos
