Richmond & Kew vs Clapton Community FC takes place on Sunday, November 3 2024 with a 2pm kick off at Ham Playing Fields, Riverside Drive, Richmond Upon Thames, TW10 7RX

The Clapton CFC Women’s First Team have won seven out of eight games – including five in a row – to lift themselves into second place in the table. We’ve played the most game – we’re exactly halfway through the season after 11 games – which means we’re really fourth best placed on a points per game basis. But that’s still an impressive positiion after starting the season with three defeats in a row. Credit must go to the caretaker coaching team featuring Alice Sharpe, Brian Bramble, Egle Trezzi and Jack Francis, along with the captains and others.

It’s another long away day on Sunday as we visit Richmond & Kew for the first time after their promotion last season. They’re midtable but with four games in hand could easily overtake us.

Opposition

The club was formed in 1906 as St Anne’s Kew, changing its name in 1911 to Kew Association FC and then its current name in 2020. In 1996 they managed to find their own ground at Ham and they now have dozens of youth and adult teams. The women’s team was formed in 2021 and have enjoyed two promotions in those three seasons. Last season they pipped Leyton Orient, Comets and Tooting Bec to the one promotion spot. Due to funding pressures, they are crowdfunding, any help no doubt appreciated. The men’s team joined the Southern Amateur League in 1925 so are coming up to their centenary there.

Form guide

Richmond & Kew have beaten Actonians Reserves and Dulwich Hamlet Reserves, both of whom beat us, and had a decent run in the Women’s FA Cup which agonisingly ended on penalties against Reading.

Previous meetings

None.

Players to watch

Charlotte Close has scored 30 goals a season for the three seasons R&K have been playing. She has 7 already this season including 4 in one game.

Admission

It’s free entry. Their website says they have a clubhouse for snacks, hot food, tea, coffee, soft and alcoholic drinks.

Transport and directions

The ground is 35 minutes’ walk from Teddington station, which is served by a direct line from Waterloo and Vauxhall. It’s a 39 min walk from Twickenham station, which is also served directly from Waterloo and on a faster service. To cut down on walking, you can go to Richmond and then catch a bus.

The ground has a large car park but it can be full on busy days. There is plenty of free on-street parking outside the ground.