Clapton extended their interest in the London & South East Regional Women’s League Trophy with a 3-0 victory over Ashford United, writes Harry Gillies.

Second half goals from Marta Casanovas, Emily Link and Oskia Summers saw Clapton into the quarter-finals and an East London derby with Hackney.

Both teams’ captains wore the rainbow armband for the Football V Homophobia campaign which Clapton will be supporting throughout February.

Clapton attacked Ashford from the first whistle, showing no fear of a team that play in the division above. Ashford’s Kayleigh Harris looked to catch Clapton out by clipping balls over the back line but the home side won every aerial dual.

An early scare came for Clapton when some quick Ashford play resulted in a low cross into the box, but the ball was guided wide of the post instead of into an empty net.

Clapton woke up and started to impose themselves on the cup tie. A corner from the right side met the head of Link who perfectly directed the ball over the keeper, only for her effort to be cleared off the line at the last second. The Clapton captain had a shot moments later that triggered cries for a handball.

The surface was becoming increasingly cut up, with Ashford putting in the hard tackling. Clapton’s Egle Trezzi matched the away side’s vigour as she tidied up everything in midfield.

Clapton began to produce some of the best football of the season, displaying fast, dynamic passing moves from midfield out to the wings. Each player’s pass was weighted perfectly into the path of a teammate. There was a real sense of purpose and intent in the home side’s game.

Maria Mendonca and Casanovas continued to be menacing down either wing, with Aimee Shaw getting a couple of shots off, but the game slowly cooled down before half time.

Clapton had controlled the game and tested the keeper but now had to follow through in the second half.

There was no sign of the exciting football letting up as Mendonca delighted fans with a Cruyff turn on the left wing.

Just before the hour mark, Casanovas glided down the right wing and delivered a low cross into the area of uncertainty. The keeper came and spilled the ball, but Link could not get her angles adjusted to guide the ball in. A resulting corner led to a scramble and another hand ball cry in the box.

Marta Boiro was excellent from left back, playing accurate high passes down the wing to launch Clapton attacks.

Oskia Summers, a player who has come through the reserves at Clapton, was brought on. The number 27 was released down the right wing and unleashed blistering pace as she left the opposition full back for dead before whipping a delightful ball in. Clapton still could not find a precise finish.

Another substitution was made as another Reserves team star Tammy Hymas replaced Li Steiner.

With 10 minutes to go, Shaw delivered a cross from the left into the path of the arriving Casanovas, who delicately guided the ball into the bottom right corner.

Clapton remained composed, containing their passion. Hymas slotted perfectly into the midfield and controlled the play while Summers continued to run every channel, her pace and determination stretched a weary Ashford side.

Hymas drove forward and danced past players who had no answer other than to trip the midfielder up in the box. Clapton were finally awarded a penalty. Link stepped up and slotted the ball home to make it 2-0.

Minutes later, Hymas dribbled and arched a cross for Summers to rise high in the box and loop a header over the keeper, sealing the win. A sublime goal from the new player.

Clapton can look forward to the next round of the cup as well as league meetings with promotion contenders Brentford and Bromley.