Clapton CFC Women’s First Team bowed out of the London & South East Regional Women’s League Cup with a hammering at Hammersmith.
However, despite the scoreline Clapton actually played well for large periods but were punished by the ruthless higher division side for whom Victoria Neuefeind scored a double hat-trick.
The match got off to a difficult start when Hammersmith found the net on their very first attack inside two minutes. Rather than letting the early goal rattle them, Clapton kept a disciplined shape and knocked the ball around well.
Rhia Jacobs excelled in goal, producing a series of vital saves—including a sharp 1-v-1 block at 25 minutes and a point-blank reaction save on 40 minutes—while Annie Lyons cleared off the line during a goalmouth scramble. At the other end, Marta Casanovas forced a low save and Emily Link went close after being threaded through.
Hammersmith managed to double their lead on 45 minutes, bundling home a rebound after Jacobs had saved the initial effort. However, Clapton earned a deserved lifeline in first-half stoppage time when Maria Mendonca’s whipped cross forced a Hammersmith defender to turn the ball into her own net, sending the sides into the break at 2–1.
Clapton carried that momentum directly into the second half, mounting a furious opening minute where Maria Mendonca, Egle Trezzi, and Emily Link all tested the home keeper.
However, Hammersmith managed to score again on 47 minutes, before Clapton hit straight back on 53 minutes with a great team goal. Casanovas produced a lung-bursting run down the wing and cut a precise ball across the box for Emily Link to touch home.
At 3-2 it looked to be a close contest but from that moment on, the home side’s extra gear showed. As Clapton pushed forward to hunt for an equaliser, Hammersmith’s wingers mercilessly exploited the space on the break. A devastating spell saw the hosts score six goals in twenty minutes and it went into double figures.
In other circumstances, Clapton might have tried to shut up shop but given it was a free hit cup game, they kept pushing for more goals.
While the L&SERWFL Cup run ends here, there’s the silver lining of dropping into the L&SERWFL Trophy – a competition in which CCFC have reached the final twice.
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