Here we are towards the end of March and Clapton CFC women’s first team are STILL top of the league in their first season at this level.

Yes, Brentford in second and in particular Dorking Wanderers in third can overtake us with their games in hand, Dorking by some margin.

But to be anywhere near the top, and to be mathematically safe from relegation, and reach another cup final too is a brilliant achievement.

The comeback win at Richmond Park last weekend after two hours of football just shows you write off this team at your peril. 

With six games in hand on Clapton CFC, Watford can also overtake us at the top of the table. They’re hitting form at the right time too, having thrashed Sport London e Benfica 6-0 and Leatherhead 4-0 recently, and running Dorking Wanderers close.

Goals have been shared out all season, with Rebecca Lovelace on 10 and Sophia Amanor and Lily Hall both on 9.

In the away game at their Bovingdon home, Clapton CFC edged it with a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Teju Callisto and Annie Lyons.

This is CCFC’s fourth last game of the season, with two more home games against Hackney WFC and Dorking Wanderers and an away game against the latter too.

About Watford Development

Watford Ladies FC formed in 1970 and were part of the Watford FC men’s club from 2003 until 2018 when they parted ways and Watford Ladies FC went independent again.

Watford FC now has its own women’s football set-up, with a first team in the third tier, the FA Women’s National League South.

Despite the ‘Development’ name in the London & South East Women’s Regional Football League fixture list, it is now the club’s first team and they are in process of renaming back to Watford Ladies FC.

Match information

Clapton Community FC vs Watford Development takes place at the Old Spotted Dog Ground at 2pm on Sunday March 26 2023.

You do not need to book a ticket in advance, just turn up. Entry to all our games is free, but with donations welcome. We suggest £3 for waged adults for competitive games.

We will have a mini programme available, pick one up for free, donations welcome. We should have some replica shirts, woolly hats and scarves on sale too.

Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options.

Spectator entry will be via the Disraeli Road turnstile and gates. The ground and the clubhouse bar will open from 1pm, with kickoff at 2pm, and the bar will remain open during and after the game.

Dogs on leads are very much welcome. Cash and cards are accepted everywhere.

Post-match entertainment – free comedy!

Two brilliant working class comedians Sapphire McIntosh and Jen Nolan will be on stage about an hour or so after the game.

Sapphire is a top footballer, BBC podcast host, reporter for Channel 4 and Vice… and an award-winning comedian who has appeared at Edinburgh Fringe.

Jen will be heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this year for the first time and tells (not so tall) tales of life growing up on the breadline.

Our regular DJs the Old Dogs Disco will be playing records before and after.

Toiletries collection is back

We’re now in a position to bring back the hygiene bank collection at every Old Spotted Dog home game.

Our charity partners Magpie Project support mums and young children in temporary accommodation. They need:

● Toothpaste ● Toothbrush ● Shower gel ● Shampoo ● Deodorant ● Sanitary towel

We’ll have a collection box in the OSD clubhouse area.

New tinned food bank trial

We have a box for food donations in the clubhouse for anyone to use, donate to, or collect for others. Anyone; members, volunteers, parents, players, builders etc are welcome to come & take what they need, when they need it.

Directions

The Old Spotted Dog Ground is at 212 Upton Lane in Forest Gate, London E7 9NP.

Forest Gate station (Elizabeth Line) and Wanstead Park (Overground) are 15 minutes’ walk away, Plaistow (District / Hammersmith & City) is 20 minutes’ walk, and Stratford (National Rail/Overground/Elizabeth/Jubilee/Central/DLR) is 25 minutes’ walk.

The Gospel Oak to Barking Line to Wanstead Park station is running as a replacement bus service. If you’re able to walk, it may be quicker to do that from one of the other stations above, rather than wait for the replacement buses.

If you’ve not been to the OSD yet, here are some even more detailed directions.

There’s parking for bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground, you can chain your bike to the railings.

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