Clapton CFC Men’s First Team were given a tough introduction to life in the Essex Senior Football League, going down to a narrow defeat to last season’s runners-up.

Despite the season having started, the first twenty minutes had a distinctly pre-season feel to it. The sun blazed down, both sides looked a little lethargic, and the CCFC faithful had to content themselves with dusting off the songbook and speculating about the new signings. Samir Sedaoui and Gideon Ssonko made the starting line-up with Tevis Panariti and Rafael Da Mata on the bench. Indeed, the only incident of note was a yellow card for Soul Tower Hamlets’ number six around the twenty-minute mark.

However, following the hydration break, the game stirred to life. In the 28th minute, what looked like a fairly routine situation of passing round the ball at the back turned into an almighty defensive mix-up. A Soul shot was saved by Jack Francis’ feet. but the rebound fell kindly to striker Shermandin Artmeladze who slammed the ball into the bottom corner. 1-0 Tower Hamlets.

Conceding seemed to galvanise CCFC. Fred Taylor was desperately unlucky not to score on 32 minutes. Last season’s top scorer unleashed a heat-seeker from outside the area, which crashed off the underside of the bar, bounced off the opposite post and somehow stayed out.

Andre Odeku was the next to go close, connecting well with a far post header, only to see it saved by the keeper. As the interval approached, CCFC were enjoying their best spell of the game but an equaliser didn’t come.

The second half began in much the same slow way as the first. Manager Geoff Ocran was the first of the coaches to take action, bringing on James Goldring and Lewis Owiredu for Ross Broadway and Sedaoui. Tower Hamlets soon followed suit after what looked like a nasty back injury to their number 8, who fell awkwardly off of a fairly innocuous aerial duel. Moments after he was was helped from the pitch and given an ovation by the ground, play was paused again for a second hydration break. On came Panariti for his debut, replacing Odeku. Off too went Enzo Pina and Ssonko to be replaced by Nico Bunduku and Da Mata.

The game perked up as it crept into the final ten minutes. First, Taylor went down in the penalty area – moments later, Tower Hamlets had a penalty shout of their own after a tackle from Bailey Pryce, who was injured in the process. With no substitutions left, Pryce had to battle on until the whistle.

CCFC fashioned one more chance. After winning the ball excellently, Julian Austin looked up and perfectly picked out the advancing Da Mata on the right. After burning his full-back for pace and finding himself through on goal, Da Mata cut back inside and aimed for the top corner. Sadly the shot was always rising and drifted over the bar.

CCFC will feel they could, and probably should have got a point on the board from a first outing in the ESL. However, it’s worth noting that Soul Tower Hamlets were 90 minutes from promotion last season, and we’re unlikely to face much sterner tests this season. Ocran and his players will take heart from having looked like they belong at this level, with many, many games to play yet.

Clapton CFC Men’s First Team are next in action on Saturday, August 8 for the Extra Preliminary Round of the Men’s FA Cup against Benfleet at the Old Spotted Dog Ground.

Rob Stafford

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