Clapton Community FC vs Dulwich Hamlet Reserves takes place on Sunday, October 22 2023 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

On Sunday we welcome league leaders Dulwich Hamlet Reserves to the Old Spotted Dog Ground for what is always a good game.

Our own women’s first team are in good form themselves, particularly at home, and we’ll be looking for revenge for a 4-2 defeat in the corresponding away fixture last month.

Clapton CFC had a weekend off last Sunday, on the back of impressive wins away at Welling United in the League Cup and Hackney WFC in the league at home.

The opposition 

Women’s football club AFC Phoenix formed in 2010 and worked its way up the football pyramid. In 2018, they merged with the men’s club Dulwich Hamlet, and the first team and reserves have played in pink and blue since. 

We have been playing them in the Greater London Women’s Football League Premier Division for two seasons, and now the London & South East Regional Women’s League Division One North for two seasons. 

The Hamlet finished in third and ninth place so far. Manager Jack Badu left to join AFC Whyteleafe in the summer but player Helen Bellfield has stepped up and guided them to the top of the league.

Previous meetings 

It’s now advantage to Dulwich following their 4-2 win at their St Olaves’ home last month. That result also upset the symmetry of the previous games – we’ve won 5-1 and 2-1 and lost 5-1 and 2-1 plus a 1-1 draw. 

Form guide

Dulwich have five wins from seven so far, with only Brentford and Sport London e Benfica having beaten them. Clapton meanwhile have three wins from five to sit in the top half.

Players to watch

Striker Abigail Woolvin was top scorer for AFC Whyteleafe last season with 18 goals, and has transferred to Dulwich in the summer. She scored two against us in September.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay at the turnstile.

Admission for women’s first team games is by donation, 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 from 1pm. Cash and cards are accepted everywhere.

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will open at 1pm and close at 4pm.

Please help the club by purchasing drinks from the bar. The premises are licensed so we ask you not to bring your own alcohol into the OSD. The profits from the bar are invested in maintaining the grounds.

We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale. Two beers are on tap – Pretty Decent Lager and Old Scaffold Daze, our own IPA.

We also have hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Bovril) and water at the bar which are free, please help yourself.

We have crisps, nuts, and Hackney Gelato on sale in the clubhouse.

Outside, Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options.

Hygiene bank collection

The hygiene bank collection is back at all home games.

Our charity partners Magpie Project support mums and young children in temporary accommodation. They need:

● Toothpaste ● Toothbrush ● Shower gel ● Shampoo ● Deodorant ● Sanitary towel

At the moment they’re also appealing for canvas/tote bags so please do donate if you have spares.

The collection box will be at the main entrance.

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 shirts, scarves, pin badges and keyrings on the merch stall. The stall is open before the game, at half-time, and afterwards, only.

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 games but not before or at half-time.

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 right of the outdoor toilets. You can lock them to the fencing. It’s best to arrive early so you don’t have to push your bike through crowds. 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.

Any questions?

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

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