Greenways vs Clapton Community FC takes place on Saturday, November 2 2024 with a 3pm kick off at Rochester United Sports Ground, Rede Court Road, Strood, Kent, ME2 3TU
Clapton CFC Men’s First Team are three games unbeaten and will look to carry on that run at Greenways on Saturday. After good wins at Stansted and Meridian VP, CCFC were held to a 2-2 draw at FC Elmstead last weekend. While it was a decent result, given the balance of play and having been 2-1 up, manager Geoff Ocran was disappointed not to hold on for the win. During those three games, the squad has been pretty much unchanged, while strikers Fred Taylor, Noah Adejokun and Cameron Gordon have all been on the scoresheet.
The fixture schedule has been rather frustrating as this is a fourth away game in a row – five including the FA Vase game at Stansted. Overall this will be SCEFL matchday number 14, and 9 of those have been away from home, with just three Saturday home games so far. It’s the first return fixture of the SCEFL season after we met on the opening day at the Old Spotted Dog Ground.
Opposition
Founded in 1965 as NALGO FC, the sporting wing of the National and Local Government Officers’ Association trade union, Gravesend-based Greenways competed in various regional Kent leagues until 2018, when they were promoted to SCEFL Division 1. They had rarely finished in the bottom half until last season’s last place finish. However, Greenways were reprieved from relegation due to league reconstruction that also saw Clapton CFC join them in the Southern Counties. Manager Rob Jeffrey has moved upstairs after a whopping 14 years with former player Andy Pierce stepping into the manager’s job for the club’s 60th anniversary year. Previously playing in Aylesford, Greenways now groundshare with SCEFL Div 1 counterparts Rochester United,
Form guide
Greenways are sitting in midtable, just below CCFC. They won at Meridian VP last weekend, lost 1-0 to league leaders Croydon the game before that, and beat Tooting Bec the previous game.
Previous meetings
We met on the first day of the season, with CCFC edging it 1-0 against a dogged Greenways, sub Fred Taylor finally breaking the deadlock in the second half.
Players to watch
Winger Ashley Poppy has 8 goals this season and impressed in the game at the Old Spotted Dog Ground earlier in the season.
Admission
Admission is £6, concessions £4, free for U16s.
Transport and directions
The ground is in Strood, rather than neighbouring Rochester. Strood has a station on a direct line from St Pancras International and Stratford International, and another line from Victoria. It’s a 39 minute walk from Strood station or you can catch the 190 bus.