The Clapton CFC Men’s First Team continued their relentless league form on Tuesday night to move two points behind leaders Hutton with a game in hand.
In rainy and slippery conditions, CCFC remained patient to eventually overwhelm a dogged Barkingside side who had a 100% record under their new management.
The breakthrough on came in the 36th minute from a familiar source – a James Briggs corner. The keeper couldn’t cleanly claim the cross sparking a six-yard box andWill Miller reacted quickest to score his second in two appearances.
Barkingside barely had time to recover before they were two behind. On the stroke of half-time, a pinpoint James Briggs free-kick found the head of Sam Cook, who powered home a header.
Substitute Louis Brown effectively killed the game in the 71st minute with his five goal of the season, just minutes after being introduced. He showed a deft touch to redirect an Adam Sidky header from yet another Briggs corner into the back of the net.
The set-piece theme continued ten minutes from time. Sam Cook rose to meet a Flavien Stierlen long throw, heading home his second of the night and his fourth goal in just three matches.
With the result beyond doubt, Julian Austin added a fifth in the 87th minute. Showing great persistence, Austin worked space for himself to smash a low drive past the keeper.
That wrapped up an eighth league win in a row, while Jack Francis kept a clean sheet for the sixth time in seven games.
Next up, home versus Enfield Borough on Saturday.