A second-half goal from Charlie Fagan was enough to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Clapton CFC Men’s First Team in an East London derby.
However, equally important was a penalty save from Jack Francis in the first half to stretch the team’s run to 16 games unbeaten – 13 wins, 3 draws.
In strong winds, May & Baker had the better of the first half and showed why they are in form despite being at the wrong end of the table.
In the 33rd minute, a challenge on their winger surging into the box was deemed by the referee to be a foul just inside and he pointed to the spot. Francis saved the initial penalty to his right and then blocked the follow-up shot with his legs.
The ball hadn’t gone out of play, however, and 10 seconds later it was in the net. A fortunate bounce found a May & Baker attacker clean through and he played it across the goal as Francis narrowed the angles. His team-mate on the goal line at the back post swept it in – but it was eventually deemed offside.
A few minutes later, the frustrated May & Baker manager saw red and was sent from the dug-out.
With the wind in our favour, Clapton dominated the second half and Fagan scored the all-important goal in scruffy fashion in the 52nd minute. Korahn Gayle’s shot from close range was blocked but the ball fell kindly to Fagan who nudged it over the line.
Five minutes later, Fred Taylor could have sealed the win but slotted his initial shot against the post and his rebound was blocked on the line. Julian Austin curled an effort just wide and Taylor had a shot saved by the keeper’s feet. Then late on, Fagan almost grabbed his second from a corner from James Briggs.
The final stages saw a significant boost for Geoff Ocran’s side with the return of two key players from the treatment table. Briggsy made his first appearances after three weeks out with a shoulder injury while Cameron Gordon looked sharp down the left wing after three months out.
The second goal wouldn’t come but CCFC survived to claim three points and an eighth clean sheet in that 16-game unbeaten run.
Just three games left now, two of them away from home over the Easter period, before a final home game of the season against FC Romania on Saturday, April 18. And then almost certainly the play-offs the following weekend.
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