FC United’s men’s team beat Clapton after women’s team defeated 

FC United's men's team enjoyed an entertaining 3-1 victory over Clapton Community Football Club on Saturday afternoon in front of 1,153 supporters after the women's team had been beaten by the same score two hours earlier.

The victory meant the men’s team lifted the Brian Lomax Supporters Direct Trophy at the Old Spotted Dog Ground in Forest Gate, East London.

On a day that was as much about making friends not millionaires, as it was about the football on the pitch, the matches were nevertheless competitive. 

While FC’s women fielded something of a scratch team, the men’s team contained many familiar faces, though Max Cane and the injured Dontai Gabidon did not make the journey to the capital. 

Manager Neil Reynolds did have good news about Callum Gribbin’s being on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery due to a bad injured sustained last season.
A fairly one-sided women’s game saw Clapton go 3-0 up in the first half, courtesy of a brace from Larissa Vieira and a third from Juliet before the Reds bagged a late consolation goal that their hardwork deserved.

The men’s game finished with the same scoreline but with a victory for FC United. Though Clapton’s men’s team gave a good account of themselves, and equalised through Noah Adejokun, FC looked to have the edge throughout. 

The Reds led 2-1 at half time, took greater control after their second goal, and dominated the latter stages of the game. 

On a warm and extremely windy day, both teams generally played a short passing game. As a result, much of the play was in the centre, with fairly limited goalmouth action. Nevertheless, four goals were scored, a penalty missed, and a goal frame rattled. 

FC scored the opening goal on 23 minutes. Charlie Ennis curled a free-kick past the wall and the Clapton goalkeeper, Jack Francis, who appeared to be wrong-footed. 

Clapton hit back quickly. On 30 minutes, Adejokun ran on to perfectly-weighted through ball, and slotted into the corner with aplomb, past the on-rushing Pat Boyes in the FC goal. 

FC’s midfield looked confident on the ball all afternoon, and had several efforts at goal from around the edge of the area. Most notably Luke Griffiths, who regained the lead on 37 minutes. He executed a lovely chip from distance, over Francis, and under the crossbar. 

A few minutes later, Jay Fitzmartin could hardly have come closer to making it 3-1. He saw his effort, from a similar range as Griffiths’, hit the angle of post and crossbar, and bounced safely away.

FC United were awarded a penalty on 52 minutes when substitute Declan McLoughlin was barged in the back during an aerial challenge. The usually deadly Ennis stepped up, but hit his penalty too centrally. Francis made a relatively easy save. 

The Clapton goalkeeper made a few more saves thereafter, but the Reds – playing in yellow – finally killed off the game with 10 minutes to go. 

Substitute Chiekh Thiam, who looked very lively in an inside right position, did well to beat his man. His low cross evaded Francis at the near post. It left Thiam’s well-positioned fellow substitute Demarlio Brown-Sterling with a tap in from such close range that he almost looked embarrassed to score. But score he did, and the game was won.

Soon after, FC lifted the trophy, to applause from both sets of fans. An enjoyable day was rounded off with young FC and Clapton fans enjoying a kickabout on the pitch. Those of a legal drinking age, meanwhile, continued to enjoy the beer, music and chat in and around the clubhouse.

Report by Ben Haley