Clapton Community FC vs Actonians Reserves takes place on Sunday, November 12 2023 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

After last weekend’s action-packed cup defeat against Fulham, the Clapton CFC women’s first team are back to the league on Sunday against high-flying opponents.

Actonians Reserves are in fourth spot after three promotions in a row, but we have games in hand and are still unbeaten in the league at home.

Captain Verity Phillips has dubbed this the most important league game of the season in her notes for the matchday programme and it will certainly be a good test of whether we’re going to be challenging at the top end of the table.

The opposition

Actonians LFC was founded in 1998 as Chiswick United, before becoming Acton Sports Club four seasons later and then in 2008 part of Old Actonians, a men’s club formed in 1925. They now have multiple women’s and girls’ teams. The women’s first team are in the fourth tier FA Women’s National League Division One South East and play at Middlesex FA headquarters at Rectory Park in Northolt.

Previous meetings

The two teams have met once before, in the semi-final of the John Greenacre Memorial Trophy. CCFC won 3-0 at the Stray Dog against the then lower league opposition with goals from Maria Mendonca and the two Martas, Boiro and Casanovas. In the final, we edged out Enfield Town Thirds 1-0.

Form guide

Actonians Reserves were promoted last season as champions – as mentioned above it was their third promotion in succession. They are the only team to have beaten league leaders Sport London e Benfica, and have two wins against in-form Hackney too.

Players to watch

Kayleigh Peters was the division’s second top scorer with 19 in their latest promotion season, while Katy Hanscomb and Rosie Hay have 4 goals each this season.

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 with kick off at 2pm.

Cash and cards are accepted everywhere in the ground – cash is quicker at the turnstile to help prevent queues but card quicker elsewhere.

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will open at 1pm and close at 6pm.

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 4-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 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 at 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.

If/when Clapton CFC wins a game, children are invited to join the players in their post-match celebration on the pitch.

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, next to 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.

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