Hutton vs Clapton Community FC takes place on Sunday, September 1 2024 with a 2pm kick off at Hannakins Farm, Rosebay Ave, Billericay, Essex CM12 0SY

The Women’s FA Cup starts this Sunday and Clapton CFC will be dreaming of more heroics.

CCFC and Hutton are at the same level in the women’s football pyramid (tier 6) and both teams finished fourth last season too, so it’s hard to work out who is the favourite.

In our favour, we have a proud record in this competition. Three seasons ago we became the first tier 7 team (as we were then) ever to reach the third round and the first to beat a team four tiers higher. CCFC’s biggest achievement in our history.

However, in last season’s Women’s FA Cup we lost in the second qualifying round stage away to Wodson Park, who finished bottom in Hutton’s division.

The winners of the first qualifying round will receive £1800 and the losers £450 in prize money. The winners will go on to play Enfield Town away in the second qualifying round on Sunday, September 22.

The opposition

The Tons, as they are nicknamed, were formed in 1928 and is now a charity. They are one of the largest clubs in Essex with 70 teams in adult and kids football. They have just opened their own football facility in Shenfield called Flint’s Community Hub, although their adult teams are currently groundsharing elsewhere. In the women’s team’s case, it’s at Hannakins Farm in Billericay.

Form guide

Hutton have started the season in fine form, with two wins out of two. Clapton CFC meanwhile are yet to win, losing to the odd goal in both games so far despite generally good performances.

Previous meetings

None. However, the CCFC Men’s First Team and theirs met in the league and league cup last season, with Hutton winning two and the other a draw.

Players to watch

Lucy Critchell was top scorer last season with 16 and scored a hat-trick last week in her first appearance of the new season. Daisy Canny also got off the mark last week having netted 13 last season.

Admission

We think it’s free entry.

Directions

Hannakins Farm is a 26-minute walk from Billericay Railway Station, which can be reached from London Liverpool in 31 minutes and Stratford in 24 minutes. So it’s possibly closer than you think to get there.