Clapton CFC Men’s First Team extended their unbeaten run to fourteen games after a hard-fought victory against Cannons Wood FC at the Old Spotted Dog Ground. A precious three points keep the pressure on league leaders Hutton as we enter the final weeks of the season.
Despite not tasting defeat in the league since December 13, CCFC hadn’t won in three either, following successive 1-1 draws. Add into the mix more injuries to key players, Sam Cook, James Briggs and Andre Odeku, and it was a patched up side that Geoff Ocran sent out for the must-win game in front of a packed crowd at the OSD.
Fortunately, the day’s opponents, Cannons Wood, had hit a sticky patch of form with just one win in six (although that win did come against third-placed Newbury Forest). Still, the visitors possessed former CCFC dangerman Noah Adejokun and an excellent record against Clapton, having not lost in our three previous meetings, so a difficult game seemed in store. Thus it proved.
However, things could hardly have started better for CCFC. Just three minutes had passed when Fred Taylor swung in a cross from deep, meeting the head of the rising Alfie Francis for his third goal of the season. 1-0 CCFC, and everything was going to plan.
Francis has really grown into his role in the side of late, after signing in October from AS London. And, he very nearly had another goal of the season contender to go with his thunderbolt against Brimsdown recently. Again, Taylor crossed from deep on the right, finding Francis in space. Francis let the ball drop across his body before lashing a first-time volley off his laces. The connection was good, the keeper was beaten, but the ball flew inches wide of the upright.
After that frenetic start, both teams seemed to settle into a period of midfield combat, with neither creating a chance of note. Nor was there much in the way of incidents, leaving aside a yellow card for the Cannons Wood number 8 after one too many fouls on Ross Broadway.
As the game approached half-time, Cannons Wood suddenly roused themselves. First, Adejokun broke through, but with just Jack Francis to beat, he skimmed the top of the bar with his shot. Then, an Adam Sidky stumble seemed to have let the visitors in, only for him to throw himself heroically in front of the onrushing forward. Duly put off, the Cannons Wood forward blasted high and wide.
CCFC survived, but the warning signs were there. Just before half-time, Clapton had their captain/keeper to thank again for preserving their advantage. An in-swinging corner to the far post found its target, and the header seemed bound for the top corner, but up got Francis to tip it over.
CCFC 1 Cannons Wood 0 at the break. The second half followed the pattern of most of the first, with neither team able to fashion much in the way of quality. That was in part due to a very lenient referee allowing the game to flow but even so there were few clear-cut chances. Makeshift full-back David Makisi was excellent during this period of the game, constantly shutting down Adejokun’s attempts to break.
Things were going to remain nervy as long as it remained 1-0, so Ocran decided to shuffle the pack in search of another goal to make things safe. Off came Pete Jamieson and Alfie Francis to be replaced by James Goldring and Bernardino. Then, Korahn Gayle replaced the excellent Taylor up front.
Still, CCFC managed to create little until the 88th minute, when Flavien Stierlen had an excellent chance to seal the three points. A Cannons Wood free kick saw the taker slip, Clapton nick the ball and play Stierlen clean through. Unfortunately, he lost his footing at the crucial moment, just as he was shaping to shoot, allowing the keeper to get out to smother it.
However, Stierlen wouldn’t have to wait long for redemption. After the fourth official signalled a nervy seven minutes added on, CCFC mounted one last attack. This time it stuck. Gayle played it through to Stierlen on the run, who stretched, controlled the ball, and side-footed it past the keeper from the edge of the box to double the lead. 2-0 CCFC and game over.
The final whistle saw a lovely serenade for returning hero Adejokun. Lovelier still was the sight of CCFC member and one of the Filton 24, Finn, joining the players for the customary Lo, Lo, Los. Not a dry eye in the house. Welcome home, Finn.
As for the result, given the injury situation and a tricky run of games, this was a fantastic performance from CCFC. The players fought from the first to the last and demonstrated the grit that, dare we say it, promotion charges are made of. At the very least, it keeps the pressure on Hutton and reduces the gap to two points until they play on Tuesday.
The Clapton CFC Men’s First Team are next in action away at Redbridge FC on Friday at 7.45pm to take on Lymore Gardens. It’s an easy away trip with the ground right next to Barkingside station on the Central Line and our opponents are play-off contenders themselves and one of the best footballing sides in the division.
Rob Stafford
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