Wandsworth Warriors 2 vs 6 Clapham Common FC

Another big cupset for the Commoners as we knocked out high-flying Wandsworth Warriors, who are three leagues above us and were previously undefeated at home all season.

We got off to a brilliant start as a textbook Payne long throw was slotted in back post by McManus. Whitby also came close in the first half, and Stanton rocketed a strike against the crossbar as CCFC looked to take the game to the home side. Wandsworth then grew into the game, and equalised from a tidy set piece as their player flicked a near-post ball into the CCFC net. Wandsworth then had their best spell of the game heading into half-time, with Hall-Drinkwater pulling off some super saves to keep us level, including a point-black save knocked up onto the crossbar.

Second half Clapham came out strong. Warriors put in an own goal from a tricky throw-in, before Wallis netted his first ever goal for the Common with a back post volley from another throw-in. In quick succession the Warriors headed in another own goal from a near post throw, and just like that CCFC had pulled up a 4-1 lead.

Warriors made it an own goal hat-trick as Hall-Drinkwater's dangerous ball forward was converted by a beautiful 25 yard lob of the Warriors goalkeeper by their own centre-back. Shortly after, Fletcher netted his first goal for the Purple Army with a beautiful top corner volley after some head tennis in the Wandsworth penalty box.

Warriors added a nice consolation goal in the dying minutes as their former semi-pro manager blasted the ball across the goal and into the net.

A huge win for the Common who march onto the 2nd round of the Marcus Lipton Cup to face Vauxhall Virgins.