Clapton CFC Men’s First Team’s extraordinary winning streak finally came to a halt as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Hoddesdon Town.
With Hoddesdon nine games unbeaten at home, and CCFC having won ten on the bounce, someone’s run had to end. And so it proved.
Clapton were the better side in the first half and breakthrough arrived on 30 minutes when Fred Taylor fired a low cross toward the far post. Both Louis Brown and the Hoddesdon keeper couldn’t get hold of it, but Jeff Twumasi was perfectly placed to tap home from close range.
However, the celebrations were short-lived as play was halted for nearly ten minutes. A Hoddesdon defender suffered a serious injury during the goalmouth scramble and was eventually stretchered off. We wish him a speedy recovery.
When play finally resumed, CCFC nearly doubled their lead just before the interval, but Sam Cook’s header from a James Briggs free-kick sailed just over the bar.
The second half began with Hoddesdon on the offensive and only a goal-line clearance from Cook preserved the lead. The hosts were looking dangerous at set pieces and their persistence paid off in the 68th minute. A well-delivered corner found Hoddesdon’s top scorer Connor Bolton in the box, and a powerful header levelled the score at 1-1. That was Bolton’s six game in a row.
Manager Geoff Ocran rang the changes with subs and formation tweak and the pressure almost told in the 82nd minute when the Hoddesdon keeper fumbled an Odeku shot through his legs. However, he managed to scramble back and scoop the ball off the line before it could cross.
While the winning streak has ended, the unbeaten run continues, and a point away at a tough Hoddesdon side keeps CCFC firmly in the promotion hunt.
Photos
