Wormley Rovers vs Clapton CFC is on Saturday, April 27 2024 at 3pm at Wormley Sports Club, Church Lane, Wormley, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire EN10 6LB

We go again!

Clapton CFC men’s first team have earned a shot at the play-offs after a rollercoaster first season at Step 6. We’re heading to Wormley in Hertfordshire this Saturday – no advanced tickets needed.

We’ve had two strokes of luck – firstly FA rules meaning Harlow couldn’t get promotion, and then Enfield Borough beating our rivals for the final play-off spot, Cannons Wood, in the last minute in the last game of the season. But generally speaking you make your own luck and over the course of 42 games, we’ve deserved this.

Ok, it’s a long shot – we’re away from home, with a huge injury list and other walking wounded, against the league runners-up who got 25 more points than us – but the pressure is off, it’s more or less a free hit.

The semi-final is one leg, and it would go to penalties if necessary if the scores are level at 90 minutes. The winners will play either Hutton or Dunmow Town on Saturday, May 4.

The opposition

Wormley Football Club was formed in 1921 and moved to its present ground in 1954. Former England and Arsenal winger David Bentley and TV presenter Bradley Walsh are among the products of their youth set-up, which nowadays has 300 boys and girls playing. Wormley Rovers finished third last season, losing to promoted Sporting Bengal United in the play-offs, and have gone one better in runners-up this time.

Previous meetings

The two teams met at Wormley in July on a sunny opening day of this season, which finished a pretty dull 0-0 draw. The return game was in November, a more exciting 2-2 with CCFC’s goals from Terry Amoafo and Noah Adejokun. Wormley had changed manager and only 5 of their team played in both games.

Players to watch

Goals have been shared around with Reece Mosanya and George Beattie on 11 and Michael Mignot and Joshua Asiedu on 15.

Form guide

Ryan Wade returned as Wormley manager in late August when they were 17th and quickly tore up the table. In fact they won 17 of their last 18 games to reach a massive 97 points, but agonisingly missed out on the one promotion spot to Benfleet who had 103.

Clapton CFC meanwhile have had ended the season in patchy form but have a very decent record against the big clubs in the division.

Admission

Admission is £6 (£4 for concessions). U12 free with paying adult. No tickets needed, it’s all pay on the day. Cash is better but card accepted. The bar and cafe will be open. The programme will be online only.

Directions

The nearest station is Broxbourne, which is on the National Rail and Overground lines, meaning you can get there direct from a whole host of London stations, eg Liverpool Street, Stratford, Lea Bridge, Hackney Downs, Seven Sisters, Tottenham Hale.

From Broxbourne station it is a very pleasant 32 minute walk via riverside and countryside to Wormley’s ground, or a 12-minute bus journey.