Non-League and Academy football writer

It was second versus fifth from the regular Thurlow Nunn League First Division South season, as Clapton Community and Lymore Gardens faced each other at the Old Spotted Dog Ground on Saturday afternoon, in front of a very impressive crowd. This one off Thurlow Nunn League First Division South play-off semi-final tie was won 4-1 by Clapton Community, as Geoff Ocran’s side progressed to the play-off final, which will be at home to Rayleigh Town, next Saturday.

An early Clapton free-kick on the edge of the Lymore penalty area, would be taken by James Briggs. The midfielder’s curling effort around the Lymore wall, was well parried by Samuel Owusu, with a Clapton player being ruled offside on the follow-up, and from inside the Lymore penalty area. Having made steady progress during the first half, just after the 20 minute mark in the game, Clapton would take the lead. With centre-forward Louis Brown getting to a cross inside the centre of the Lymore box. His volleyed effort on goal was excellently kept out by Samuel Owusu, with Nathan Cook finishing into the goal on the follow-up, and from inside the box, 1-0.

The next chance in the game would see Lymore Gardens’ captain, Ryo Brown, turn  well beyond a Clapton defender down the right-hand side of the pitch. He would then play a nice lofted pass to Josh Morris, inside the home team’s penalty area. After working the space well under pressure, the Lymore forward’s low side-footed effort on goal was well turned behind by Clapton’s goalkeeper, Chris Mathers. Clapton would add a further two goals to their tally before half-time, in what was a strong finish to the first half, by the home side. 

For Clapton’s second goal of the game, it would arrive from the penalty spot. After Andre Odeku had got to Louis Brown’s flick on in behind the Lymore defence. He would take the ball forwards at pace, but one versus one inside of the box his low effort was well saved by Samuel Owusu, who would then foul the alert Louis Brown inside the box, on the follow-up. James Briggs would then step-up to clinically whip the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, from the penalty spot, 2-0. And then just before half-time, Fred Taylor would do well to keep the ball in play following a pass to the left-hand side of the Lymore box, before curling the ball across to Adam Sidky at the back post of the goal, whose good volleyed effort would go past Samuel Owusu, 3-0.

Clapton would manage their three goal lead well during the early stages of the second half. Next in the game, and Lymore player Malik Donaldson would drift inside with the ball from the left flank before playing a through-ball pass towards the run of James Smith, who from the left-hand side of the Clapton box, would power an effort into the side-netting of the goal. And then soon after that Lymore chance, Clapton would effectively seal their place in the play-off final. With Nathan Cook getting to a loose pass from a Lymore defender, and in space, the Clapton midfielder would take the ball to the edge of the away team’s penalty area. One versus one with Samuel Owusu, Nathan Cook would finish low into the goal, to the goalkeeper’s right, 4-0.

Lymore Gardens did improve as the second half went on. And they would get a goal back in the game with around 20 minutes still to play. With Lymore’s player of the match, Ryo Brown, getting to the ball over 25 yards out. He would then play a nice forward pass towards the run of Lymore substitute Paul Benfield, who was through on goal inside of the Clapton penalty area, where he would finish low and clinically into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, beyond the outrushing goalkeeper, 4-1. The scores would finish that way, and in what was a very good all-round and clinical performance from Clapton, it was a great occasion and moment for them. With one more game remaining before they could potentially be playing step 5 football, next season.

With two goals and an excellent all-round performance from Clapton midfielder Nathan Cook, he was my player of the match on Saturday afternoon. However, it was a very good and well balanced performance from the winning team on Saturday, with honourable mentions going to Andre Odeku, Louis Brown, and Adam Sidky for their performances.