Clapton CFC 4-0 Hounslow United Reserves, Saturday 26th October 2019

Clapton CFC 4-0 Hounslow United Reserves, Middlesex County Football League Premier Division, att. 329

Indeed.

Only a fortnight after our last visit to Clapton, we were back; Londontykes Dave, Maria, Loko and myself, along with Gunner Rod and junior, all of us still giddy from Non League Day, where we and 897 others turned out.  There weren’t that many this time, only 329 braving the incessant rain (though it was the players braving it, we were tucked under a roof behind the goal).  But it’s quality not quantity wot counts, and the ultras continued the 90 minute barrage of noise.  Well, more of a hum than a barrage, but still.  I doubt it’s something Hounslow United (reserves) hear every week.

Clapton Ultras.  Actually smiling at football.

We met up pre-match in the Forest Bar in downtown Hoe Street, which still reeked of paint, despite it having been open two weeks.  Craft ale, say no more.  Earlier, I’d planned on having brunch in the Goose, but they were showing the rugby (of course they were).  I walked in, heard someone say loudly ‘lavvly’ (I think they meant ‘lovely’), had a p*** and walked out.  I hate rugby.

Clapton's #1 fan barks the team on.

At least we’d learnt one lesson from last time – kick-off is 2:30 and not 3pm.  And we entered at exactly 2:30…via another pint at the Dog and Duck, round the corner from the ground.  Another decent boozer, both spacious and affording a range of beer, it’s also difficult…nay impossible….to not come in afterwards too.  Mind, with plans to return to the Old Spotted Dog ground in Forest Gate, you'd better get to Wadham Lodge while you can.

The Main Stand in the rain.

The match was another high scoring romp, this time 4-0 to CCFC.  They were at it right from the start, and coulda been three up in 5 minutes.  Although they weren’t, class (!) told in the end and Hounslow reserves were well beaten.  ‘You look exhausted, keeper’ was my favourite jibe, though a poignant chant of ‘No human is illegal’ followed the minute’s silence to commemorate the 39 Vietnamese found dead in the back of a truck this week.  How desperate must they have been?

Match action.

More cheerfully, we all ruminated on how, at circa 50 years of age and 15 stones light in some cases, our football careers should not be considered over, given the rotundness of a couple of away players.  You’re a long time retired.

The Damage:
£5 ent
£2 prog
= £7

The Tunes:
Slave to the Rhythm (Grace Jones)
Gold Mother (James)
Con Todo El Mundo (Khruangbin)
Orbital 2 (Orbital)

Walter Tull commemorated.

That old Cov City tracky top came in handy...

Anti-fascist action!

Who knew where you buy goalposts from...?

A corner about to be swung in.

Programme cover