Clapton Community FC vs Ashmount Leigh takes place on Sunday, September 22 2024 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

The Clapton CFC Women’s First Team will be feeling a lot happier now after finally getting a first win of the new season on the board. The 3-2 win away at a strong Denham United was a hard-fought victory but with plenty of flair too.

The team will be looking for a second win this Sunday and some momentum going into the game away at Brentford the following Sunday. However, Ashmount Leigh have more points than us this season and are free-scoring so will be no pushovers.

This game has been arranged by the league at short notice after we were knocked out of the Women’s FA Cup on penalties at Hutton.

The opposition

Ashmount Leigh was set up in 2021 to give more opportunities for women in Surrey. They enjoyed two promotions on the bounce as well as lifting the League Cup then finished ninth in their first at this level last season. Originally based in the village of Nutfield, they moved to groundshare at Dorking Wanderers’ ground last season. The Ashmount name was inspired by the chair and vice-chair’s college in the United States with Leigh in honour of the grandfather of their club secretary.

Previous meetings

Last season we did the double with a 2-1 win at home thanks to goals from subs Lenny Holmes and Marta Boiro and then a 4-3 thriller away with Maria Mendonca scoring twice plus goals from Egle Trezzi and Lucy Spours.

Form guide

Ashmount are just above us in the table and have been entertaining with 21 goals in the first four games. The highlight is a 4-1 win over AFC Whyteleafe on the opening day.

Players to watch

Former Crawley Wasps player Rosanne Fine has had an amazing start to the season with 4 goals in 3 games. Last season’s top scorer Danielle Boyd is also off the mark.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry is via the Disraeli Road turnstile from 1pm.

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 – cash is quicker at the turnstile to help prevent queues but card quicker elsewhere.

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will be open from 1pm until 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. We also have reusable cups now.

Please help the club by purchasing drinks from the bar. The premises are licensed so we ask you not to bring your own alcohol into the OSD. The profits from the bar are invested in maintaining the grounds.

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 feel free to put some change in the donation box.

We have crisps, nuts, and Hackney Gelato on sale in the clubhouse. Outside, Fusion Foods will be selling hot and cold food – meat, veggie and vegan options.

Hygiene bank collection

The hygiene bank collection is back at all home games, with the collection box just inside the ground near the turnstile. 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 just inside the ground is open before the game, at half-time, and after the game. You can buy a shirt, beanie, summer scarf, badge, tea towel and a few more items.

For Women’s First Team games, we produce a four-page matchday programme available at the entrance and merch stall, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.

Accessibility

There is an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities next to the Clubhouse. The Clubhouse main entrance is also step-free.

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’s space to leave your bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground, next to the main stand. You can lock them to the fencing. Please don’t leave them locked to the pitch perimeter as it blocks the walkway.

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.

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.

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