Clapton CFC Women’s First Team recorded their biggest ever league win away at Gillingham-based side Soccer Elite Football Academy.

It was an even game before the first goal went in, with CCFC goalkeeper Ella Bowles called into action to keep the young hosts out.

However, once Clapton found their rhythm the goals began to flow, helped by two penalties and a red card for the SEFA goalkeeper.

Maria Mendonca opened the scoring on 18 minutes, following up after her first effort was blocked, before Marta Boiro swivelled smartly in the box to double the lead on 22 minutes.

Julia Moulton’s perfectly timed through ball allowed Mendonca to round the keeper for her second on 33 minutes. It was 4-0 before half-time, Annie Lyons converted the first of our penalties on 41 minutes after Leigha Bradding-Butler was fouled.

The second half was one-way traffic. Lucy Spours struck a stunning effort from distance to extend the lead on 61 minutes, then two minutes later substitute Lenny Holmes scored a rare headed goal from Marta Casanovas’ cross.

On 65, Boiro grabbed her second with a composed finish, then Casanovas set up Bradding-Butler for 8–0 on 81 minutes.

The day got tougher for SEFA with the red card for their goalkeeper on 84 minutes for bringing down Bradding-Butler when through on goal. The forward converted the resulting penalty.

An own goal against the stand-in keeper followed 3 minutes after, before Mendonca completed her hat-trick on 90 minutes and Bradding-Butler did the same in added time.

It was a ruthless attacking display from Clapton giving them confidence ahead of next Sunday’s FA Cup underdog mission at AFC Sudbury.

Having experienced some heavy defeats ourselves (eg conceding 23 goals in 3 successive friendly defeats this summer) and bounced back, we’re sure SEFA will bounce back too.