Matt Dean previews the meeting between in-form Tons and Hullbridge Sports FC as both teams push for top six finish in the Essex Senior League.
On Saturday, Hullbridge return to the Old Spotted Dog Stadium where last week they earned a late 2-2 draw in fading daylight against London Bari. Clapton beat Burnham Ramblers FC 2-0 on their last outing.
With both teams unbeaten in their last three games, they will both be looking for three points to push for a top six finish. Clapton are in eighth in the league on 40 points and Hullbridge are 10th on 36 points, though they do have three games in hand on their rivals.
When the two teams last met in October, the result was a 4-4 draw. However, Hullbridge Sports FC squad is far more consistent. All of the players that played in that 4-4 draw have all featured in their last five games. For Clapton FC, only captain Geoff Ocran, Nathan Cook and Freddie Morris who lined up in the October match, have played in 20 league games this season.
Injury
Hullbridge will be hoping for the return of their prolific striker Luke Hornsley who has scored 22 goals in the league so far this season and is fourth joint top scorer in the Essex Senior League. Player-manager Rob Hodgson does have some injury worries after goalkeeper Jamie Merrells pulled up in his last game against London Bari. Bobby Mason is on standby to make his seventh appearance this season.
Clapton and their supporters, who are well known for their socialist standpoint and anti-discriminatory views, will campaigning against homophobia at the game. This is from a group of hard core fans known as “Clapton Ultras” and promises to be a vocal affair.
Expected line-ups:
Hullbridge Sports FC:
Reece Brandon, Matthew David Brinklow, Kurtis Charles Clarke, Luke Hornsley,
Charlie Little, Jamie Merralls, Kieran Offord, Harry Skinner, Samuel Taylor, Joseph Turpin, Dean Martin Wallace
Clapton FC:
Abdeen Abdul, Idu Bogdan, Nathan Cook, Pape Diagne, Peter Moore, Geoff Ocran
Paul Olujimi Oshin, Antony Aylett, Matt Waldron, Miles Hunter, Paul Barry