Non-League and Academy football writer

It’s the second versus fifth placed sides from the regular Thurlow Nunn League First Division South season, as we enter the league play-offs, as Clapton Community face Lymore Gardens this Saturday afternoon, at the Old Spotted Dog Ground. This one off play-off semi-final tie promises to be a great contest, and it’s an east London derby match, which I’m sure will have a number of supporters in attendance for. 

Geoff Ocran’s Clapton Community side finished the league season three points off the champions, Hutton. And it’s been a very good season for the fan owned club, who have been very consistent during the second half of the season. Like Clapton Community, Lee Benjamin’s Lymore Gardens side play a very good style of football. They move the ball around the pitch really well, and they’ve shown during their first season at step 6 that they can compete against the best in the league. Their run to the fifth round of the FA Vase, was incredible. But, also in the league, they’ve really impressed over the course of this season, and to reach the play-offs in their first season at this level, is a brilliant achievement.

Clapton Community have a lot of experience and talent on the pitch, but they are also supported so well by their fans, at every game. The former Middlesex County Football League side will be favourites, given their final league position, and the fact that they did the double over Lymore in the league during the regular season. However, they will not be underestimating Lymore Gardens at all, on Saturday afternoon. And it promises to be a fantastic game/occasion.