Clapton Community FC Men’s First Team secured a third promotion in only our sixth full season since forming to reach Step 5 football for the first time.
However, in front of a club record home crowd of 2375, CCFC had to work hard against a Rayleigh Town side who came back from 2-0 down to take the game to extra time.
It took just eight minutes for the deadlock to be broken. After excellent build-up play from Nathan Cook and David Makisi, the ball found Fred Taylor. Our top scorer worked the ball onto his left foot before curling an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
Four minutes later, the lead was doubled. James Briggs delivered a free-kick to Julian Austin, whose powerful side-footed volley left Rayleigh keeper Josh Hudson with no chance. At 2-0 within 12 minutes, it looked like it would be a procession.
But Rayleigh, who came from behind to beat Coggeshall Town in the play-off semis, showed the same spirit to fight back again. They found a lifeline in the 20th minute when a shot from Ishmeal Fiadzomor struck Briggs on the hand. The referee pointed to the spot, and Rayleigh’s top scorer Dylan Jones powered the penalty into the corner.
The second half saw Rayleigh step up a gear but they were dealt a blow in the 66th minute. Rob West was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Nathan Cook.
Despite being down to ten men, the Essex visitors defied the odds. In the 71st minute, a blocked shot fell kindly to Jones, who clinically scored his second of the afternoon.
Both sides made multiple subs as knocks took their toll. By the time the full-time whistle blew at 2-2, Rayleigh were down to nine men with a player injuring themselves while tackling and all their subs already used.
While in the semi-final, the game would have gone straight to penalties now. Unfortunately for Rayleigh, different rules apply in the final and extra time would be played.
With Rayleigh’s striker Jones also struggling with a knock but soldiering on, Clapton’s fitness and full eleven began to tell.
In the 104th minute, the breakthrough finally arrived. Taylor turned provider, beating his man on the left and crossing for sub Cameron Gordon, who rose at the back post to head home.
In the second half of extra time, the result was put beyond doubt. Gordon and Taylor combined again, with Gordon squaring the ball for Taylor to smash high into the net for his second of the game.
Rayleigh earned immense credit for a resilient performance under difficult circumstances and to lose their second play-off final in a row must be heartbreaking. However, after finishing second in the table and on a 21-game unbeaten run, arguably it was CCFC who deserved the promotion.
Next season, we’ll play in the ninth tier of English football – which should also mean we make our debut in the FA Cup.
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