Clapton Community FC vs Ashford United takes place on Sunday, February 2 2025 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.
It’s probably the biggest game left this season for the Clapton CFC Women’s First Team – our last shot of silverware in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Trophy second round.
However, the visitors are from a division above and have agonisingly beaten us in two big cup games before, so it will require a major upset for us to progress.
The weather was terrible last weekend but the forecast has perked up, so fingers crossed. It’s also one of our two designated Football v Homophobia games – see below for details.
The game will go straight to penalties if level at 90 minutes.
The building works are still ongoing at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, and some of the match details may be different to usual, so please do read on…
The opposition
The team began as Ashford Ladies in 1971, enjoying plenty of promotions and cup glory over the following decades and even reaching the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals in 1973. In 2022 they became part of Isthmian League men’s side Ashford United. That season they won promotion to the London & South East Women’s Regional League Premier Division, the fifth tier, and survived at the level last season.
Form guide
The fantastically nicknamed Nuts & Bolts collected just one point from their first 9 games, but have turned the corner since and recorded a win and a draw.
Previous meetings
We’ve played twice and lost narrowly both times. In November 2022, a then capacity crowd of 500 witnessed our third ever game at the Old Spotted Dog Ground in the Women’s FA Cup. Despite Annie Lyons’ goal, we lost 2-1. That same season, in April 2023, we met in the L&SERWFL Trophy final at Maidstone United. CCFC battled back from 3-0 down to level it thanks to goals from Teju Callisto (2) and Verity Phillips. That took the game to extra time, where Ashford sadly won it 5-3.
Players to watch
Bethany Senior has an impressive 6 goals in 10 games this season.
Admission
No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry is via the Upton Lane turnstiles from 1pm.
This is because of building work around our usual entrance at the Disraeli Road end. The alleyway is also closed. So please go directly to 212 Upton Lane, E7 9NP (What3Words: option.dark.limes).
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.
Food and drink
The Clubhouse bar will be open from 1pm and stay open till about 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.
The Clubhouse is ditching single use plastic and switching to returnable pint and half-pint cups. Just pay a £2 deposit, which is refunded when you return the cup to the bar. If you’d rather keep the cup, you’re welcome to take it home.
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 please put some change in the donation box if you can.
We have crisps, nuts, and bacon and scampi fries on sale in the clubhouse. Outside, Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options.
Football v Homophobia
We are backing the Football v Homophobia (FvH) campaign throughout February. This is one of our designated FvH games. Our captains will wear rainbow armbands and our players rainbow laces to raise awareness. The programme features articles from our players, coaches and volunteers. And we have a guest beer from Queer Brewing in Leyton, a queer and trans-owned brewery. They will donate 10p from every beer to a LGBTQ+ charity.
Hygiene bank collection
The hygiene bank collection is back at all home games, with the collection box at the main entrance. 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 is open before the game, at half-time, and after the game. You can buy a shirt, beanie, baseball cap, scarf, badge and a few more items.
We will have a matchday programme available, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.
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 may be less space to leave your bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground than usual due to building works. You can park your bike near to the main stand. 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.
Heads up it’s a bus replacement service to Forest Gate station this weekend due to engineering works. These are the walking times from alternative stations…
- 18 mins Wanstead Park
- 19 mins Upton Park
- 20 mins Plaistow
- 26 mins Abbey Road
- 28 mins Stratford
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
