Clapton Community FC vs Dulwich Hamlet Reserves takes place on Sunday, January 19 2025 with a 2pm kick off at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, East London.

At last! The Clapton CFC Women’s First Team are back in action after a seven week break – 49 days. It’s actually a whopping 70 days since the last league fixture against Bromley, so it’s been very much a winter break similar to the summer.

One game was postponed due to wintry weather and two due to opponents being given cup games, which take priority. Even a friendly arranged last week had to be cancelled due to a frozen pitch. Dulwich Hamlet Reserves have been in the same boat, however, with this being their first game for 63 days.

There are nine games left for CCFC in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North campaign, and while the top spot seems out of reach, we could still finish in our highest ever position. Manager Alice Sharpe will be looking to start the second half of the season with a good performance and a first OSD win against Dulwich.

The building works are still ongoing at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, and some of the match details may be different to usual, so please do read on…

The opponents

The current Dulwich Hamlet women’s team story began in 2010 under the name AFC Phoenix. The self-funded, fully independent and exclusively women’s club worked its way up the football pyramid. In 2018, the club decided to merge with Dulwich Hamlet, and the first team and reserves have played in the pink and blue since. Last season the first team pulled off an impressive promotion up against the likes of Fulham and Millwall, with crowds growing massively. The reserves, meanwhile, finished third in the division last season, one place above us.

Previous meetings

This will be the ninth meeting between the two teams, and Dulwich have the upper hand with four wins. We’ve won two while both games at the Old Spotted Dog Ground so far have been draws. Earlier this season, we lost 2-1 away, despite a great strike from Aimee Shaw.

Form guide

It seems a bit pointless to mention, since both two teams have not played for a few months. It’s a meeting of fifth vs sixth place in the table. It’s worth noting that Dulwich are the only team to have beaten leaders Bromley this season, and lost both games against Brentford by narrow margins.

Players to watch 

It has to be speedy winger Natalia Davila, who played four games for us last season, before joining Dulwich this season. She scored both goals in our away defeat earlier this season.

Admission

No tickets are needed, just turn up and pay. Spectator entry is via the Upton Lane turnstiles from 1pm.

This is because of building work around our usual entrance at the Disraeli Road end. The alleyway is also closed. So please go directly to 212 Upton Lane, E7 9NP (What3Words: option.dark.limes).

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.

Food and drink

The Clubhouse bar will be open from 1pm and stay open till after 9pm due to the gig from 6pm (details below).

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.

The Clubhouse is ditching single use plastic and switching to returnable pint and half-pint cups. Just pay a £2 deposit, which is refunded when you return the cup to the bar. If you’d rather keep the cup, you’re welcome to take it home.

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 please put some change in the donation box if you can.

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.

Benefit gig after the game

A benefit gig for the Free The MBR Beagles anti vivisection campaign, with donations on entry. Featuring: YUR MUM, DISSENT, CHERRY & PEESH, RITES OF HADDA. The gig starts at 6pm, and the bar closes at 9pm due to licensing restrictions. More info here.

Hygiene bank collection

The hygiene bank collection is back at all home games, with the collection box at the main entrance. 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 is open before the game, at half-time, and after the game. You can buy a shirt, beanie, baseball cap, scarf, badge and a few more items. 

We will have a matchday programme available, pick one up for free, donations welcome to cover the printing costs.

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 may be less space to leave your bikes inside the Old Spotted Dog Ground than usual due to building works. You can park your bike near to the main stand. 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