Clapton Community FC vs Actonians Reserves takes place on Sunday, August 18 2024 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.
The 2024/2025 London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North season is finally here.
Clapton CFC Women’s First Team start the league campaign with a home game, against Actonians Reserves, at 2pm on Sunday.
Pre-season started with the trip to Madrid to play Independiente de Vallecas and saw us notch up four wins – three against higher opposition – out of seven games. This summer there have been seven new signings joining the squad and you can find out more about them here.
No doubt last season’s runners-up Brentford will start the season as favourites, along with Bromley who have been laterally transferred into our North division after finishing second in the South. However, our own coaching staff and players are aiming high themselves, and will want to make a strong start against our opening day West London visitors.
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
Last season’s home game at the Old Spotted Dog Ground last November ended up in a miserable 5-1 defeat, Actonians seemingly scoring with every attack, but by February’s away game we bounced back with a 2-0 win. The teams had met once before, in the semi-final of the John Greenacre Memorial Trophy, when CCFC won 3-0 at the Stray Dog.
Form guide
Actonians Reserves were promoted two seasons ago as champions – in fact that was their third promotion in succession. Last season they finished in sixth place, but won 1 and drew 1 against champions Sport London e Benfica.
Players to watch
Katy Hanscomb bagged an impressive 16 goals last season, making her fifth top scorer in the division.
Admission
No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry is via the Disraeli Road turnstile from 1pm.
Admission for Women’s First Team games is by donation, with a suggested £5 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 be open from 1pm until 6pm. We have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on sale. We have two beers on tap from Pretty Decent Brewery, generally a lager and Old Scaffold Daze, our own IPA. We also have reusable cups now.
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 also have hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Bovril) and water and squash at the bar, please help yourself. There is no charge but feel free to put some change in the donation box.
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, with the collection box just inside the ground near the turnstile. Our charity partners Magpie Project support mums and young children in temporary accommodation. They need:
● Toothpaste ● Toothbrush ● Shower gel ● Shampoo ● Deodorant ● Sanitary towel
Merch
The merch stall just inside the ground is open before the game, at half-time, and after the game. You can buy a shirt, beanie, summer scarf, badge, tea towel and a few more items.
For Women’s First Team games, we produce a four-page matchday programme available at the entrance and merch stall, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.
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 too please.
If/when Clapton CFC wins a game, children are invited to join the players in their post-match celebration on the side of 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
