Clapton CFC Men’s First Team fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against a free-scoring FC Baresi side at The Old Spotted Dog Ground.
CFFC came into this game as the division’s form team, having won five of our last six games. With that record in mind, the over 900-strong crowd turned up confident of another strong CCFC performance.
Before the game, the crowd observed an impeccable minutes’ silence and a collection was held for the relief effort after Hurricane Melissa.
Meanwhile there was a late enforced change to the line-up as Joel Akuwudike dropped out due to injury, with Julian Austin taking his place in the starting line-up and Korahn Gayle added to the bench. Austin was playing in a mask in his first appearance for almost a month after having 22 stitches after an elbow to the face.
The relatively modest league position (12th as the day began) of FC Baresi – named for the legendary Italian sweeper – belied the threat they posed. And so it was that Baresi started the game strongest. A relatively uneventful first 20 minutes saw the visitors knocking the ball around nicely, pulling Clapton’s midfield around the pitch and creating a couple of slightly speculative chances.
Despite Baresi having the better of the opening exchanges, it was CCFC’s goalscoring supremo, Fred Taylor, who came closest first. After being found in a pocket of space on the left of the Baresi area, Taylor lashed a vicious shot narrowly over the bar.
However, after an injury-enforced centre forward swap, FC Baresi’s early pressure told. An excellent ball found number 7 Kuba Ollivierre on the right of the CCFC area, and this time there was no mistake. A low, unerring finish was flashed across Jack Francis and into the far corner of the CCFC net. FC Baresi 1 CCFC 0.
Conceding would spur Geoff Ocran’s men into action, but not before they had some more defending to do. All that stood between FC Baresi and an immediate doubling of their lead was a brilliant block from Adam Sidky after the visitor’s number 9 was again found free in the box.
Nevertheless, CCFC began to show signs of life. Late in the half, a free kick was awarded in a perfect central position on the edge of Baresi’s box. With no James Briggs due to injury, very capable deputy Sam Cook stepped up. His shot was low, hard, and apparently destined for the bottom corner. Indeed, half the ground was already celebrating when the Baresi’s keeper got down to save smartly and snuff out the chance of a rebound.
Things were about to get worse for CCFC, too. Another FC Baresi counter-attack saw their number 6 Sertan Kirman, who, unlike the club’s namesake and famous wearer of that number, turned out not to be an old school centre back, smash the ball home for 2-0.
CCFC went in at half-time slightly shellshocked. A game that had looked winnable on paper was beginning to get away from them.
CCFC had a lot to do. However, as is almost always the case, Ocran had a plan. Off came Flavien Stierlen for Pete Jamieson, allowing Austin to push forward into a free-floating number 10 role behind Taylor. This was followed by Cameron Gordon’s substitution to bring on the flying Lewis Owiredu on the left.
The die was cast, and Ocran’s intentions were clear: CCFC weren’t going down without a fight. Sure enough, the changes brought immediate results. Baresi were struggling to contain Owiredu down the left and, when he found Taylor in the box, this season’s current top scorer coolly slid the ball under the keeper in front of the clubhouse end.
2-1 and the fightback was on. Clapton’s tails were up, and the crowd had grown noticeably louder on all four sides of the OSD. It wouldn’t take long for them to have something else to shout about. CCFC saw two denied penalty shouts in quick succession.
First, Cook went down under what looked at first like a heavy challenge on the left touchline of the Baresi area, waved away by the referee. This was followed by a shot that appeared to be blocked by a Baresi hand, but again, referee Charlie Nicholls wasn’t impressed and play continued.
However, Clapton would not be denied. The excellent Owiredu once again cut in from the left, appropriately twisted the Baresi centre back like spaghetti to cut back outside onto his left and fire a low shot past the keeper. Cue pandemonium in the stands. 2-2 and CCFC were well on top.
Sensing the chance at a famous comeback victory, Ocran shuffled the pack again. Off came midfielder Ross Broadway for defender Junia Charlton, with Jeff Twumasi moving back into the single pivot role in front of the defence. Meanwhile, crowd favourite David Makisi made way on the right for fresh legs in Gayle.
Despite Clapton being in the ascendancy and Baresi seeming stunned at the turnaround, the visitors did briefly rally. A clever break after sustained CCFC pressure was only thwarted by a last-ditch Austin block.
Even with that scare, CCFC continued to push. Another penalty shout was waved away before a free kick was awarded just outside the Baresi area. Cook swung in a threatening delivery, but it was well cleared for a corner. The resulting corner saw many in the ground briefly celebrate as CCFC bundled the ball and the keeper into the net. However, the referee rightly blew up for a foul, and the scores remained level.
In truth, Clapton probably should have found the winner as the game ticked into its last few minutes. First, in his final act of the game before being replaced by Louis Brown, Austin found the space but not the net as his header flew into the keeper’s grateful grasp. Then, right at the death, Taylor fired narrowly wide of the post, bringing the curtain down on proceedings.
CCFC should be pleased with a spirited fightback, although perhaps a little disappointed not to have grabbed the winner their improved second-half showing deserved. That result sees CCFC drop to fifth in the table; however, we remain well in contention for a play-off spot as we approach the mid-point of the season.
The CCFC Men’s team are back on the road again next. They face a rare Friday night trip to Aveley to play ambitious Cannons Wood FC – who feature a certain Noah Adejokun up front.
Rob Stafford
Post-match interview
Photos
