The Clapton CFC men’s first team gave a performance to set the fans nerves on edge last weekend. They eventually came away with the win after a back and forth 14 goal thriller against CB Hounslow United Reserves.

Player-manager Geoff Ocran and his team – and those of a nervous disposition – will be hoping for a more routine victory this Saturday against MCFL Premier Division perennials Pitshanger Dynamo, though it’s arguably the toughest game of the season so far.

Some of you may remember Dynamo, nicknamed the Carrots, from CCFC’s first away game after being newly promoted from the MCFL First Division. The game took place on a sunny August afternoon at Pitshanger’s former home at Hanwell Town (they now play at North Greenford United’s ground).

Dynamo came into that season having narrowly lost a promotion race against St Panteleimon the season before and were able to comfortably dispatch a Tons side still finding its feet by two goals to nil.

Had things gone to plan, Clapton would not have had to wait long to have a shot a payback. However a waterlogged pitch followed by global pandemic (words I never thought I’d write two years ago), caused the return fixture to be scratched.

A little over two years later, and only a handful of competitive games for either side, a more experienced Clapton team can now finally invite Dynamo to The Stray Dog.

Pitshanger have put on a good showing in their opening two games of the season. They managed a 5-2 win in the season opener against Indian Gymkhana, followed by a 1-1- midweek draw against Clapton’s opening day opponents FC Soma.

They currently sit 4th in the early table after that 1 win and 1 draw and will be hoping for a promotion run to finally lift them out of the Middlesex Football League system they have played in since 1977.

For their part Clapton have had a rather chaotic start to the season, losing to FC Soma on the Wadham Lodge 3G on opening day.

This was of course followed by their 8-6 scramble against CB Hounslow. Some changes at the back may be coming for the Tons to shore things up and make for some more consistent, albeit less thrilling, play.

The rain is expected to stay away from East London all week. So barring another global catastrophe we should finally get our chance to host Dynamo for the first time in our third season in the same division.

Match information

Clapton CFC vs Pitshanger Dynamo is on Saturday, August 28 2021 at 3pm at the Stray Dog, Wadham Lodge, Kitchener Road, Walthamstow.

Advanced tickets are not needed, you can just turn up.

Entry as usual is free but with donations welcome, with a suggested £3 for waged adults. You can donate on the day or in advance if you wish.

Fusion Foods are back and selling hot food. They will have meat, veggie and vegan options and accept cards or cash.

We will have a mini programme available for suggested £1 donation.

The Matchday Centres bar will be open from 1pm, please follow their signs as a one-way system is in operation. You can take your beers out to pitchside, of course.

E5 Bank & Children Bank collection

We’ll be holding a collection for the E5 Baby & Children Bank, which offers families in need essential items such as clothes, shoes, toys, books, food and baby equipment.

On top of their usual work, they are now supporting 130 Afghan families who have just arrived in East London with nothing, and urgently need donations.

Please bring clean, good quality children’s clothes and toys, ages from newborn up to 12. Ideally please bag them with a label for suitable age/gender. We’ll take everything down to the collection point after the game.

If you don’t have any items to donate, we’ll be holding a bucket shake at half-time.

If you can’t make the game, you can donate to their JustGiving page and you can take donated items to them directly, see website for details.

Covid rules

The pandemic is by no means over and not every adult has had the chance to have both jabs yet. So although the government and FA have scrapped all rules, we are continuing with the safety measures below. We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable.

• If you’re arriving by public transport, a reminder that face masks are still compulsory unless exempt
• Spectators are encouraged to wear face masks indoors, such as when visiting the bar or toilets
• There’s hand sanitiser at the entrance and a QR code for those checking in on the app
• Free NHS lateral flow tests are available if you wish to take a test before the game
• You can donate on the day or in advance to reduce cash handling
• Please follow the signs around the site and instructions from matchday volunteers
• Spread out around the ground as much as you can

Please do not attend if…

• You are ill or have symptoms of Covid-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)
• You’ve tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 10 days or someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive
• You’ve been told you’ve been in contact with someone who tested positive by NHS Test and Trace or pinged by the NHS COVID-19 app
• You have arrived from abroad (not including Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or other parts of the UK) and are within your required quarantine period.

Directions

• Wadham Lodge 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 car parking space available at the ground or on streets nearby.