Clapton Community FC vs Brentford takes place on Sunday, April 14 2024 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

It’s time to wrap up the 2023/24 season – in terms of home games at least – for the Clapton CFC women’s first team with a home game against promotion contenders Brentford.

Although out of the promotion hunt, Clapton CFC will have a big say in the title chase, as we play Brentford at home and away. It’s a straight two-way fight between them and Sport London e Benfica now with the Bees having a slight advantage as long as they can win all their remaining games.

Meanwhile CCFC are looking to finish third – which would be one better than last season and be a great achievement after a season of flux.

The opposition

Brentford Women began in 1990 and a season later entered the Greater London Women’s League. They broke the record for a tier six women’s game with an attendance of 5,116 at the Gtech Community Stadium last season against Watford and went close to beating it with 4,856 a few weeks ago against Ashmount Leigh. Their regular home is Bedfont Sports.

Previous meetings

Brentford, who were runners-up, secured the double against us last season, winning 2-1 at Bedfont on the opening game of the season and then 2-0 at the OSD. Previously we met in the GLWL in 2020/21, winning our home game 3-1 on a very muddy Stray Dog pitch. The return fixture, which was played behind closed doors, ended in a 2-0 defeat.

Form guide

After a surprisingly tough start with two defeats and a draw, they have now won 11 games in a row. That run means they now have advantage in the promotion race after Sport London e Benfica were held to a draw against AFC Whyteleafe.

Players to watch

Chloe Logie is the top scorer in the division by some margin, with 40 goals in 23 games in all competition, beating last season’s haul of 36.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay at the turnstile. Spectator entry will be via the Disraeli Road turnstile from 1pm with kick off at 2pm.

Admission for women’s first team games is by donation, with a suggested £4 for waged adults, but any amount or none at all is fine.

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.

We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale. We usually have two beers on tap from Pretty Decent Beer Co – Gulp Pilsner lager and Old Scaffold Daze, our own IPA.

We also have hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Bovril) and water and squash at the bar which are free, please help yourself. We have crisps, nuts, and Hackney Gelato on sale in the clubhouse.

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.

Hygiene bank collection

The hygiene bank collection is back at all home games, with the collection box at the main entrance. Our charity partners Magpie Project support mums and young children in temporary accommodation. They need:

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

Merch

You can buy a shirt, beanie hat, bucket hat, bobble hat, scarf, badge and tea towel on the merch stall. The stall is open before the game, at half-time, and afterwards, only.

We will have a 4-page matchday programme available, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.

Tickets for the CCFC men’s first team game versus Harlow Town on the last day of the season are limited in number and will be available to buy in person at the game.

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 in both halves, which are voided if people have gone on the pitch. Weather permitting, children can play on the pitch after the game.

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