NW London FC vs Clapton Community FC takes place on Saturday, October 28 2023 with a 3pm kick off at Cotlandswick Playing Fields, North Orbital Road, London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 1DW

The Clapton CFC men’s first team will look to continue their nine-game unbeaten league run on Saturday with a result against the last team to beat us.

NW London came from 2-0 down to defeat us 5-2 at the Old Spotted Dog Ground in early September, which has been followed by five draws and then four wins.

The Gorillas provide a unique challenge in the Eastern Counties League, playing free-flowing, attacking football, as they always did in the Middlesex Counties Football League.

Previous meetings

This is our twelfth meeting having started our journey together in the MCFL. There’s been eight competitive games where we’ve notched up three wins, two draws and three defeats, plus three friendlies.

The opposition

NW London FC was founded in 2015 by manager Wasim Khan and secretary Samir Naji who are both from North West London, hence the name. They have ambitions to reach the professional leagues within the next 10 years.

Both clubs have had iconic shirts produced by Rage Sports, theirs with ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the front. We also co-organised the Middlesex Super 6 League together after the Covid lockdown.

Our away tie in the Anagram Records Trophy in 2022 was marred by a row over increased ticket prices, which was hopefully resolved as the next game a few months later was free entry.

We were both promoted from the First Division Central & East in 2019 then NWL were promoted to the Eastern Counties League one season before us. In their first season at this level, they finished just above the relegation zone.

Form guide

This season they’re in a similar position to last but have recorded some good wins, including 4-3 against league leaders Dunmow Town and 5-1 in the FA Vase against another old rival, London Samurai Rovers.

In the last week they’ve recorded good wins against Tower Hamlets and Park View, and only lost away to promotion contenders Benfleet to an injury time goal.

Clapton CFC meanwhile have recorded four wins in a row, making it nine games unbeaten.

Players to watch

Alex Kozak has scored 10 so far this season, having been top scorer with 12 goals last season.

Admission

£5 Adults, £3 Concessions, U16s Free.

Food and drink

The bar with food and drink will be open. An online programme will be available via social media.

Directions

NW London now groundshare at London Colney FC, on the outskirts of St Albans, which is just 18 minutes on the train out of Kings Cross St Pancras. It’s a 51 minute walk from St Albans train station, however, so the quickest method would be to catch the 602 bus from St Albans station to the Leisure Centre stop.

Parking is available in the car park.