Two goals in the first eleven minutes paved the way for Clapton Community to beat Forest Hill Park in the Presence & Co. Southern Counties East Football League First Division Cup Final.
They added a third just before half time and despite conceding a penalty in the second period, Clapton had enough left in the tank to see the game out and lift the trophy.
Over 1,200 spectators made a lot of noise, although one set were quietened when Clapton went ahead in the third minute. Noah Adejokun crossed from the left and Joel Akuwudike rose to head it inside the far post.
Tobi Coker tried a shot for Forest Hill but ballooned it high into the air and Jack Francis held his concentration to catch it. Soon after, Clapton scored again to send their supporters behind the goal delirious. Jake Wintour broke down the right wing and his low cross clipped goalkeeper George Kamurasi’s leg and Fred Taylor arrived at the far post to tuck it away.
Ryan Palmer came close to pulling one back for the Dons, directly from a corner, but it struck the inside of the far post and came out. Coker then had another good chance but fired well over, and Uli Fischer, at full stretch, was unable to get enough purchase on Bradley Ryan’s cross to turn it home.
It wasn’t all one way, though, and Clapton came close when Adejokun intercepted a sloppy pass and strode forward before shooting just wide from twenty yards.
Francis was again called into action when making a good low save from Ryan before Palmer tried to bend one inside the far post but was just off target.
However, it was Clapton who scored again a minute before half time when Akuwudike won a tackle in the Forest Hill half, and passed to Julian Austin. He looked up and threaded it between the right back and centre back for Taylor to feast on it and fire home.
Akuwudike went close to adding a fourth in the second period when shooting just wide. Fischer then hooked over for Park from Stefan Wright’s cross before he claimed that he had knocked it over the line during a scramble inside the six yard box, but the well placed assistant referee was unmoved.
Nineteen minutes into the second period, the Dons pulled one back when a corner was handled and a penalty awarded. Georgi Steeds stepped up and sent Francis the wrong way.
Multiple substitutions then caused the game to become very disjointed before Ryan was thwarted by a brilliant tip over by Francis with twelve minutes left on the clock.
Had that gone in, there might have been a grandstand finish but although Ryan shot over from twenty-five yards and Ed Mbango had a miss-hit shot smothered by Francis after it fell to him awkwardly.
Cameron Gordon chased a long pass for Clapton in stoppage time but couldn’t get past the imposing figure of Kamurasi.
One last half chance fell to Forest Hill when Ryan sent Temi Alaka in on goal but Francis was in no mood to be beaten again and he saved at the substitute’s feet.
While Clapton celebrated noisily, the Forest Hill players went to their supporters to say farewell to the name together as, from next season, they will be called SE Dons.
Clapton Community: Francis, Charlton (George-Lawal 60), Unuefa, Twumasi, Sidky, Cook (Fagan 53, Wintour (Gordon 73), Akuwudike (Briggs 75), Adejokun (Odeku 77), Austin, Taylor. Subs not used: None.
Goalscorer: Aduwudike (3), Taylor (7), (44)
Yellow cards: None
Forest Hill Park: Kamurasi, Saunders, McKay, Barrance (Alaka 76), Johnson, Bell (Banjoko 81), R. Palmer, Coker (Wright 46), Fischer (Mbungo 67), Steeds (Ansah 90+3), Ryan. Sub not used: None.
Goalscorers: Steeds pen (66)
Yellow card: Palmer (90+6)
Referee: Howard Collins
Assistants: Ben Wright and Leigh Newby
Fourth Official: Chandon Chapman
Attendance: 1,242