The last time these two teams met, Clapton CFC went under the name of AFC Stoke Newington, and Walton Casuals Ladies were undefeated at the top of the league table.
The Casuals won most of their games in the Greater London Women’s Football League Division 2 North with a hair-raising number of goals scored, and very few conceded.
Having beat the then AFC Stoke Newington 6-1 in their first clash, Stokey knew that this game would be hard.
They also knew that in order for them to gain promotion to Division 1, they needed a win. And win they did, 3-2, with goals from Emily Link, Zhane Amoaten and Capucine Riom.
Having comfortably won the league last season, Walton Casuals have taken the step up to Division 1 in their stride.
Just like Clapton CFC, Walton Casuals started their 19/20 season with an FA Cup clash against Thames Valley Division 1 side Banbury United, a game which ended in 2-1 in favour of the Casuals. Like us, they narrowly lost in the next round, after extra time at Abingdon Town.
The Stags have won their three league games so far – away to Hampton & Richmond Borough 3-0, home to Brentford Women 3-2 and home to Comets 3-1.
It means they are one of two teams with a 100% record so far but second in the league behind Crystal Palace Development. It also means their last defeat in the league was actually that one against AFC Stoke Newington in February.
Walton’s squad have seen some changes from last season, and they are missing the 18/19 season’s overall top goalscorer Kelly-Jade Whelan. However, there’s plenty of other scorers in their squad, averaging three goals per game.
This fixture will be tough with Walton Casuals wanting to get back on top, and Clapton CFC wanting to prove that last season’s victory wasn’t a fluke.
Clapton CFC are in the top half of the table too, with one win and one draw, plus one postponed game last week at Dulwich Hamlet Reserves.
CCFC head coach Patrick McLaughlin said:
Walton are old foes of the team from last year, AFC Stoke Newington, finishing first and second respectively.
Although Walton pipped them to the title, Stoke Newington did secure promotion by putting an end to Walton’s unbeaten season.
They are a good, young team and we will need to be at our best to come away with all three points.
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 selling hot food at the entrance. They will have meat, veggie and vegan options and accept cards or cash.
Our landlords Matchday Centres run an outside can bar and a full bar inside.
Bucket shake for Man Den
We are having a bucket shake for Man Den, the young people’s mentoring community project based in Leyton.
Man Den recently ran the Community Club Shield tournament, to help raise awareness of what they do. We entered the Young Tons in an U13 category and an adult team made up of some players from our open women’s Tuesday night session.
The Man Den is a free, fun and supportive space for all boys and men aged 8+ to get together to play board games.
It encourages intergenerational mentoring by bridging the gaps between generations and provides a place for young people to interact with adults from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds.
They are a grassroots community project led by a small team of dedicated volunteers. Please donate if you can.
Magpie Project collection
At each game we collect food and toiletries for our charity partner, the Magpie Project. They support mums and young children who live in temporary and emergency accommodation.
If you have any of these to spare, please bring them to our collection point at the entrance:
● Toothpaste ● Toothbrushes ● Shower gel ● Shampoo ● Soap ● Deodorant ● Bags of rice ● Bags of pasta ● Breakfast cereals ● Washing powder
Directions
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 Walton Casuals is on Sunday, October 6th 2019 at 2pm, at ‘The Stray Dog’, Wadham Lodge Sports Ground, Kitchener Road, Walthamstow, E17 4JP. Join the Facebook event here.