Two teams next to each other in the Essex Senior Football League table couldn’t be separated in a hard-fought East London derby. Clapton started on the front foot and rattled the crossbar twice in the second half, but a draw was probably a fair result.

Inside the opening minutes, Adam Sokhal almost caught the Woodford goalkeeper out with a dipping cross that required a fingertip save. Andre Odeku also threatened regularly, testing the keeper from a tight angle and forcing smart saves, while Tylla Addai fired a crisp low effort narrowly wide from distance. Jack Francis was called into action just once of note in the first half, rushing out to save bravely at the feet of a Woodford forward.

Just five minutes after the restart, quick interplay saw Sokhal feed Odeku, whose long-range strike forced an awkward recovery save from the visiting keeper. Midway through the half, Ross Broadway almost made it three goals in three games since his recall. His stunning shot clipped the top of the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Minutes later he hit the bar again with a header.

It required crucial defensive intervention at the death to keep the clean sheet, however. With minutes remaining, Samba Badjana produced a huge block to stop a great chance for Woodford to win it at the death.

The result leaves CCFC in 17th place, but 10 points clear of the relegation zone, heading into away games at White Ensign and Halstead Town on the next two Saturdays.

The crowd of 1066 supporters – boosted by it being the international break – was our second best of the season, beaten only by 1112 against Great Wakering Rovers last month.

Post-Match reaction

Reflecting on the afternoon, manager Geoff Ocran acknowledged the mixed feelings of securing a clean sheet while missing out on all three points at home:

“It’s one of those games where we looked at the teams in the table… it’s a home game and considering our home form we would have looked to get the three points and build a gap. We lacked a little bit of composure, you know, we were sort of rash in the key moments. It’s a point that keeps us ahead of them, but we’ll respect the point and go again next week.”