The men’s first team host our old rivals NW London FC on Saturday as the pre-season heats up – quite literally judging by the weather forecast.
We’re back on the Old Spotted Dog Ground for a 2pm kick off in what is a bit of a Rage Sport derby between two teams with the same kit supplier. The players will be having drinks breaks with the temperature set to hit 27c.
Pre-season has been unspectacular so far for Geoff Ocran’s team, with consecutive 2-1 defeats against CSM London and Catholic United, though with line-ups were heavy on trialists.
Meanwhile newly promoted NW London have been in the goals in their four friendlies, cruising to wins over OIR (7-3), Fennecs (3-1), FC Marylebone (8-1) and Jolof Sports (3-0).
We both began our journey together in the Middlesex County Football League, getting promotion together from the First Division Central & East.
Indeed NW London were the first MCFL team we ever played, in a friendly in August 2018, which we won 3-1 at the New River Stadium.
In the league that season, however, we lost away at New River again 2-1 and then played out a fantastic 4-4 draw under the Wadham Lodge Stadium lights late in the season.
Another friendly followed in August 2019, which we lost heavily 6-2, before we finally beat them in a competitive game 1-0 in November.
A third friendly was played in September 2020 – this one a 0-0 draw – before we beat them 4-2 in the post-season Middlesex Super 6 League which we helped to co-organise with them.
Last season we beat them 5-3 at home in the league and then grabbed a 3-3 draw away near the end of the season thanks to two late goals.
But they knocked us out on penalties in the Anagram Records Trophy quarter-final on the way to winning that trophy.
Match information
Clapton CFC vs NW London is on Saturday, July 16 2022 at 2pm at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, 212 Upton Lane, Forest Gate, E7 9NP
It’s donate what you want entry, no advanced tickets needed. For friendlies we suggest £2 for waged adults.
The bar will be open from around 12 noon until 6pm for soft drinks, alcohol and bar snacks. There is plenty of shade from the sun in the bar and the Scaffold.
Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options – and accept cards or cash.
Forest Gate station (Elizabeth Lane) and Wanstead Park (Overground) are 15 minutes’ walk away, Plaistow (District / Hammersmith & City) is 20 minutes’ walk, and Stratford (Elizabeth/Jubilee/Central/DLR/Overground/National Rail) is 25 minutes.