Hackney Wick vs Clapton Community FC takes place on Saturday, October 14 2023 with a 3pm kick off at Spa Road, Witham, Essex CM8 1UN

After a run of four home games in a row, the Clapton CFC men’s first team are back on the road with a visit to Hackney Wick.

It’s been a dramatic few weeks with late equalisers against Cannons Wood and Burnham Ramblers and then finally a first win since August on Tuesday night against May & Baker.

Due to the shortage of suitable football grounds in East London, the Wickers have been forced into a groundshare 45 miles away with Witham Town. This means what should be a local derby is actually our longest trip of the season.

The opposition

Hackney Wick FC was founded in 2015 and originally played at Mabley Green in the Middlesex County Football League. In 2017 they merged with London Bari and moved up into the Essex Senior League. They now have 16 youth teams and 2 adult teams.

Off the pitch, they offer educational workshops, sporting opportunities, mentoring and access to work routes, particularly for those at risk of gang life. Their members and players also volunteer their services for free to the Hackney community. The Wickers in the Community charity aims to tackle gun, knife and gang culture. They also have an iconic shirt sponsor in Top Boy, the Netflix show.

Form guide

Clapton CFC have lost the second fewest games in the division but due to so many draws we’re sat in mid-table.

Our hosts are sat just behind us but with games in hand. They’ve enjoyed some big wins including against high flyers Hutton and Cannons Wood while they took higher division Ilford to penalties away in the FA Vase.

Previous meetings

This is the first competitive meeting but the two teams played a behind-closed-doors friendly in August 2020 at Wadham Lodge Stadium during a storm. CCFC edged out a close game 2-1 thanks to goals from Sherwin Stanley and Dan Florence.

Players to watch

Hard to narrow as goals have been shared around with a whopping seven players on three goals each. We’ll go for teenage former Enfield Town player Piotr Maslowski who is ever present this season.

Admission

Prices are £6 Adults, £4 concessions £3 u18.

Food and drink

TBC

Directions

Witham Town’s Spa Road ground is 21 minutes’ walk from Witham railway station, which is a 45 minute journey from London Liverpool Street or 37 minutes from Stratford.

There’s a large car park on site for those driving.