The Clapton CFC Men’s First Team secured their place in the next round of the FA Vase – but left it incredibly late. Trailing for almost the entire second half to lower division Long Melford, CCFC snatched a 93rd-minute equaliser through Fred Taylor before converting all five spot-kicks to win it on penalties.
With a long list of injuries and other unavailability, manager Geoff Ocran went with a back three featuring midfielder James Goldring alongside Junia Charlton and Bailey Pryce. Two new defensive signings in Daniel Adjei and Tiere Beaupierre were named on the bench.
The Suffolk visitors made an energetic start and could have taken an early lead when skipper Brandon Salisbury scooped an effort over the crossbar. The best chance for Clapton in the first half saw Andre Odeku rounding Melford goalkeeper Ben Moye, but was forced wide and denied. Soon after, Ross Broadway floated a ball to the back post for Tami Unuefa, whose header drifted just wide. Unuefa almost connected with a sharp delivery from Lewis Owiredu shortly before the whistle, but the teams went into the break at 0–0.
The deadlock was broken six minutes into the second period. Jack Graham’s low corner was bravely headed home by Jack Brame to give the visitors the lead. Clapton responded with quick tactical adjustments, bringing on Samba Badjana and Nico Bunduku. Badjana made an immediate impact as his cross led to a panicked clearance that rattled off the underside of the bar. With Long Melford sitting deep to protect their lead, Clapton threw subs on and bodies forward. Their stubborn resistance finally cracked in the 93rd minute when David Makisi delivered a perfect cross on to the head of Taylor, who directed his header into the net.
The drama was far from over. Clapton switched off following the restart, and the visitors forced four successive corners in rapid succession. Clapton goalkeeper Jack Francis had to produce a finger-tip save off his line and scramble clear another goalmouth melee.
With no extra time in the FA Vase, we went straight to a penalty shootout in front of the Margery Park Road End. Clapton produced a masterclass scoring all five spot-kicks, with Nico Bunduku calmly sealing a 5–3 victory with the final penalty. It was tough on Long Melford, but we know the feeling having previously lost in the FA Vase on penalties ourselves. Next up in the FA Vase, a trip to Heybridge Swifts.
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