02/05/26 - 📍Old Spotted Dog Ground - Clapton CFC Vs Rayleigh Town

Clapton CFC Vs Rayleigh Town 
📍Old Spotted Dog Ground 
Tickets: £5
Attendance: 2375

Eastern Counties League First Division South Play-off Final

A play off final which had it all! Goals, end to end action and a fantastic atmosphere. 

The hosts managed to go ahead quite early on with only nine minutes on the clock. After a brilliant run by the No.2 down the left hand side, he played a brilliant ball through to the No.7 who was on the other side of the pitch. He then cut inside from the edge of the box and curled the ball over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. 

A few minutes later, Clapton doubled their lead. A free kick was sent in from the No.30 on the touchline, into the penalty box. The ball was then headed into the back of the net by the No.10, sending the home fans into ecstasy. 

With twenty minutes on the clock, after a questionable call, Rayleigh were awarded a penalty for a handball. The No.10 stepped up to take the spot kick and slotted the ball into the corner of the net. 

On the hour mark, Rayleigh Town went down to ten men after the No.4 was shown a straight red card. 

The away side then managed to equalise a few minutes later thanks to the No.10 again. The ball was played into him inside the area and he neatly tucked the ball in right at the near post. 

The game then went to extra time. 

Just before the first half break, Clapton took the lead again. The No.7 had the ball on the left hand side and put in a pin point cross towards the No.17. The forward then headed the ball into the back of the net, sending the whole ground into pandemonium.

Then, right at the end of the game, I decided to look away for a slit second and miss a vital part. I looked up to see the No.7 wheeling away in celebration in front of me, sealing the victory for the hosts. 

The full time whistle then went, with Clapton CFC winning the game 4-2 after extra time. 

Big congratulations to the team! Looking forward to watching them play in step 5 next season. 

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