This season, 300 teams from all over England are taking part in the Women’s FA Cup and Clapton CFC are delighted to be among them.
For our first ever Women’s FA Cup tie, we welcome Margate FC Ladies to the Stray Dog in the preliminary round on Sunday, September 1 at 2pm.
Margate’s current team took a step up last season after the original players departed the club for new pastures.
With a new team and a new manager, Margate exceeded all expectations when they finished runners up in the South East Counties Women’s League Division One East last season.
The Bluebirds won 9 out of their 16 league games, drew 4 and lost 3. They also reached the quarter finals in the County Cup, Bostik League Cup, and the League Cup.
The team is well supported by the club who ask nothing more than that they play with pride and passion every time they put on their Margate FC shirt, sponsored by The Libertines.
The Bluebirds’ manager, Evan Paris, has added a raft of new signings this season, from the likes of Thanet United, Herne Bay, Gillingham, Ashford Angels and Deal Town.
He believes the squad has a better balance of youth and experience, and they aspire to do even better in the league this season, all whilst having a lot of fun.
But our Clapton CFC players are massively up for this new challenge too, and head coach Patrick McLaughlin told us:
I’ve been really pleased with the intensity of training throughout pre-season.
We have one session left before our first game, which will help to finalise the starting line-up, from what is a very large squad.
Margate play at the level we have moved up to, but in the South East Counties League, so we do not know a great deal about them.
They finished second last year so we can expect them to be strong opposition.
There will be a result on the day. If the game is level at 90 minutes, extra time would be played. Penalties would then follow if needed.
Match information
Entry as always is free, but we welcome donations, with a suggested £3 for waged adults.
We have a range of merch on sale as well as our matchday programme, priced £2.
Fusion Foods will be back, serving delicious hot food at the entrance. They will have meat, veggie and vegan options and accept cards or cash.
The Stray Dog is about 20 minutes walk from Walthamstow Central station. Turn onto Hoe Street and follow the road all the way along (past the junction with The Bell pub) until Chingford Lane. Continue past Sir George Monoux 6th Form College and take the first right onto Brookscroft Road then left onto Kitchener Road.
You can catch a bus along that route too. The 357, 34, 97, 215 will all take you to the top of Brookscroft Road from Walthamstow Central. It will take about 12 minutes.
There’s also plenty of car parking space available at the ground.
We’re on the pitch just left as you enter the Wadham Lodge car park. Look out for the Stray Dog sign.
Clapton CFC vs Margate FC Ladies is on Sunday, September 1st 2019 at 2pm, at ‘The Stray Dog’, Wadham Lodge Sports Ground, Kitchener Road, Walthamstow, E17 4JP. Join the Facebook event here.