Clapton CFC had to settle for a point despite a high-intensity performance against league leaders Maidstone United at the Old Spotted Dog Ground.
Emily Link’s two goals either side of half-time put Clapton on course for an unlikely win against a team who haven’t lost a league game since January 2025 until a late fightback saw the Stones grab a draw.
In swirling winds, Clapton started brightly and opened the scoring in the 17th minute. As Maidstone knocked the ball around at the back, captain Link chased down and dispossessed the goalkeeper, then coolly slotted into an empty net.
Just moments into the second half, more pressing saw Marta Casanovas take the ball and tee up Link for a second of the afternoon, and 12th of the season.
With 25 minutes left, Maidstone were reduced to ten. Clapton keeper Rhia Jacobs rushed out to thwart a breakaway but was kicked while on the ground after making the save.
With a two-goal cushion and a player advantage, three points seemed very much in CCFC’s grasp. However, the red card seemed to sting Maidstone into life, and on 78 minutes they were handed a lifeline when Kylie Manktelow pounced on a defensive mistake.
Maidstone pushed hard for an equaliser in a nervy closing period, with Clapton tiring. And the visitors levelled with just five minutes left when a speculative free-kick almost from the halfway line sailed in from top scorer Megan Wood.
Clapton held on for a commendable point, and will look to carry this resilient performance into their Thursday night fixture against Dulwich Hamlet Res.
Post-match reaction
Ellie Dunn and Alana Scoble spoke of the mixed emotions of taking a point from the league leaders after leading 2-0:
“It was an eventful game and really I guess one that was dominated by the wind,” they explained. “We went 1-0 up, played really well in the first half… and then popped up with a goal straight almost straight from the restart. It’s a hard one because it’s amazing that we’ve taken a point from them, but at one point we had all the confidence that we could actually go and win it. It’s a performance that we should be absolutely proud of.”
Praise was also heaped on returning midfielder Egle Trezzi and goalkeeper Rhia Jacobs, who excelled under extreme weather conditions:
“It’s really important to have key players like that [Egle] on the pitch because they’re just not stopping… they’re absolutely dominating in the area.”
“A massive shout out to Rhia today… Their shot-stopping was incredible, and the handling was really good all the way through—no drops, no spillages—in a very, very difficult situation with not just the wind, but the low sun in their face in the second half.”
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