Clapton Community FC vs Camden & Islington United takes place on Sunday, September 17 2023 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

After a record 14-0 win in the FA Cup last time out – with Teju Callisto notching 7 goals – the Clapton CFC women’s first team are back in league action on Sunday.

On Sunday we welcome division newcomers Camden and Islington United to the Old Spotted Dog Ground. With one win and one defeat from our first two fixtures of the London and South East Regional Women’s League Division One North, it is still early days. However, overall the team can take great confidence from the start they have made to their season.

This will be the third home game in a row – there won’t be another for a month.

The opposition

New London Lionesses formed in 2015 and gained five promotions all the way up to the London & South East League Premier Division, the fifth tier. Their progress stalled however as they were relegated last season, and they were all set to fold.

However, Camden and Islington United released a statement in May announcing that the team would be joining their fold instead. They added “Our aspiration as a club has always been to provide a space for players to play at the highest level possible, whilst minimising barriers… As an independent club, New London Lionesses have gone from strength to strength with a number of promotions and trophies in their cabinet… We’ll now be looking forward to consolidating the fantastic work New London Lionesses have done, and to giving the squad and team a new lease of life through the lens of the community, culture and togetherness that CANDI pride ourselves in.”

The abbreviation to CANDI will really help us out on Twitter during Sunday’s game, so thank you very much for that!

Previous meetings

As a new team, we have yet to face Camden and Islington United. However, we did play the New London Lionesses’ development team. We drew 2-2 in an end-of-season friendly at the Stray Dog in front of 160 spectators in May 2021 thanks to goals from Emily Link and Marta Boiro.

Form guide

It is still early days in the season and it is difficult to gauge form at this stage. Like CCFC, Camden and Islington United’s first scheduled league fixture was postponed by the league due to it clashing with the Women’s World Cup final. Since then, they have faced two tough fixtures in the form of high-flying Denham United and Hackney. However, last weekend they faced an away trip to Caversham United in the FA Cup, emerging victorious with a 3-1 win. Clapton CFC have enjoyed two wins in a row, against AFC Whyteleafe in the league and St Margaretsbury in the FA Cup, to bounce back from an opening day defeat.

Players to watch

All the CANDI goals so far came in their FA Cup win. Jade Slater found the net twice in that game, and was also joint top scorer last season for New London Lionesses. Kay Donovan added the third goal to confirm Camden and Islington United’s place in the 2nd qualifying round. Overall, around half of last season’s Premier Division side is still on board.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay at the turnstile. Admission is pay what you want, with a suggested £4 for waged adults to match the charge for the men’s first team, but any amount or none at all is fine.

Spectator entry will be via the Disraeli Road turnstile and gates from 1pm. Cash and cards are accepted everywhere.

If you have any further questions on the day, look for anyone wearing a pink hi-viz vest or the bar staff who will be happy to answer.

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will open at 1pm and close at 6pm. As well as a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale, we also have hot drinks and water at the bar which are free.

Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options. We also have Hackney Gelato on sale in the clubhouse.

Merch

We will have a four-page matchday programme available, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.

There are limited numbers of away shirts plus scarves, a few bucket hats, pin badges and keyrings on the merch stall at home games.

The stall is open before games, at half-time and a bit after the game but not during the match itself.

Accessibility

There is an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities next to the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse main entrance is also step-free.

Pitch access

The Grounds committee need to request all spectators keep off the pitch before games and at half-time. They need to carry out safety pitch inspections before play begins, which are voided if people have gone on the pitch.

Children welcome

Prams and pushchairs are always very welcome in the OSD, but please avoid blocking walkways. Make sure all children are behind the perimeter fencing during games please.

Kids can play on the pitch (weather permitting) after the game but not before or at half-time please.

Dogs welcome

Spectators are welcome, in fact encouraged, to bring dogs to the OSD, but please keep on leads.

Bikes welcome

There’s space to leave your bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground, to the left of the main stand You can lock them to the fencing. Please don’t leave them locked to the pitch perimeter as it blocks the walkway.

We are currently working on plans for a better bike parking and locking system – watch this space.

Directions

The Old Spotted Dog Ground is at 212 Upton Lane in Forest Gate, London E7 9NP.

Forest Gate station (Elizabeth Line) and Wanstead Park (Overground) are 15 minutes’ walk away, Plaistow (District / Hammersmith & City) is 20 minutes’ walk, and Stratford (National Rail/Overground/Elizabeth/Jubilee/Central/DLR) is 25 minutes’ walk.

If you’ve not been to the OSD yet, here are some even more detailed directions.

Parking is free on the streets to the north and west of the ground (e.g. Disraeli Rd) on Saturdays and Sundays. On Saturdays, parking is restricted on streets to the east and south of the ground (e.g. St George’s Rd and Upton Lane), but there are no restrictions on Sundays. Always check local signage for any changes. And if possible come by public transport, bike or walk

Map of the Old Spotted Dog Ground