Hackney WFC vs Clapton Community FC takes place on Sunday, January 21 2024 with a 3.30pm kick off at the Wadham Lodge 3G pitch, Walthamstow, East London.

After winning one East London away derby at London Seaward Reserves in the Capital Cup second round, Clapton CFC women’s first team face another.

On Sunday we will travel to our pals Hackney Women for the team’s first game for 18 months at our former temporary home at Wadham Lodge, after which we moved into the revamped Old Spotted Dog Ground, of course.

The kick off has been changed to 3.30pm on the 3G pitch due to the weather forecast. If level at full-time, we’d go straight to penalties.

New head coach Jason Murray enjoyed a 6-0 win in charge of his first game last Sunday at Camden & Islington United and hopefully the new manager bounce will continue.

The Capital Cup is our last chance of silverware as the only cup competition left for the women’s first team – or the men’s first team, for that matter.

The opposition

Hackney WFC was the first totally women-run team and the first out lesbian team in the country. It currently has around 100 players across its three teams. Last season they launched a new red and black kit which includes the club’s slogan, ‘Playing with Pride since 1986’, on the sleeve along with the progress flag and the black triangle which has been reclaimed by lesbians as a feminist symbol of pride and solidarity.

Previous meetings

In October, we won 3-1 at the Old Spotted Dog Ground in the women’s first team’s first, and so far only, midweek night game. Our first ever competitive meeting came in February 2023 when we squeezed a 2-0 win at their then home at the Douglas Eyre Centre in Walthamstow. In the return fixture in April 2023, we lost 2-1 to a revitalised Hackney side who were battling relegation at the time.

Form guide

It’s a good season so far for Hackney, who are in the top half of the division and still in two cup competitions.

Players to watch

Top scorer Lizzie Tucker has 13 goals so far, just behind our own Teju Callisto. Our former hotshot striker Fae Fulconis looks set to miss out on this reunion having been out injured for most of the season.

Admission

It’s free to watch. Be warned though the 3G pitch has no cover so wrap up warm.

Directions

• Wadham Lodge is a 31 minute walk from Walthamstow Central station. Turn onto Hoe Street and follow the road all the way along (past the junction with The Bell pub) until Chingford Lane. Continue past Sir George Monoux 6th Form College and take the first right onto Brookscroft Road then left onto Kitchener Road.
• You can catch a bus along that route too. The 357, 34, 97, 215 will all take you to the top of Brookscroft Road from Walthamstow Central. It will take about 12 minutes. You can park on nearby streets.

Capital Cup draw

The full third round draw is as follows…

Sport London E Benfica v A.F.C. Whyteleafe
Woking v Denham United
Richmond Park v Camden Town
Leyton Orient FC v Brentford
Actonians Reserves v Tooting Bec
Hackney v Clapton Community
Abbey Rangers FC v Comets
Larkspur Rovers Ladies v Leatherhead