Clapton CFC produced a composed display to beat Richmond & Kew at home for the first time and maintain third place in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North.
A late change to the advertised line-up saw Egle Trezzi drop to the bench with Lucy Spours starting in midfield instead.
CCFC took the lead after just seven minutes when Marta Boiro threaded a perfect through ball for Leigha Bradding-Butler, who lifted her finish over the keeper with real quality.
The home side continued to threaten, forcing a string of excellent saves from the visiting goalkeeper as Boiro, Emily Link, and Lucy Spours all went close.
The second goal arrived on 29 minutes when Link released Bradding-Butler with a well-weighted pass, and the forward calmly slotted home for 2–0 and her 12th goal of the season.
For their part, Richmond attacked regularly as well, but Ella Bowles handled everything sent her way. Clapton almost added a third just before the break, but Richmond’s excellent keeper tipped Bradding-Butler’s shot over.
The second half was more controlled than frantic, with Clapton rarely troubled yet struggling to carve out the same volume of clear-cut chances.
Eventually the game was wrapped up in the 87th minute. Marta Casanovas drove to the byline and cut the ball back, and after a scramble it went in. Most onlookers thought sub Aimee Shaw got the last touch, although it may have been Maria Mendonca.
All previous meetings between these two sides had been won by whoever was playing away, but this ended up as a comfortable home victory, and a fourth clean sheet in six games too.
Next up, though, a super tough home cup game against Brentford on Sunday (November 30).