CLAPTON face a crunch clash against East End rivals London APSA this weekend on the back of the most destructive seven days of their season.

CLAPTON face a crunch clash against East End rivals London APSA this weekend on the back of the most destructive seven days of their season.

The Tons went into the week buoyed by an impressive away victory at fellow strugglers Tiptree United, with boss Wilfred Thomas showcasing a new 4-3-3 formation.

They followed this with a trip to promotion-chasing Burnham Ramblers last Tuesday and continued their impressive form, although found themselves a goal down at the break.

The turning point came two minutes after the restart when Chris Lewis scored his first of the afternoon for Burnham, who added three more to give the scoreline a one-sided appearance.

Another tough game followed on Saturday as Clapton hosted big-spending Enfield 1893, who are still harbouring ambitions of playing above the Essex Senior League next season.

Unfortunately for the young side, it was a similar story as the Middlesex club were two up before the break and took advantage of numerous defensive slip-ups to add three more in the second half.

Thomas must now find a way of lifting morale before Saturday when they travel to the Terence McMillan stadium in Plaistow to take on APSA, who are just one place and three points above them in the table.

While the Tons vastly inferior goal difference, not helped by the 10 goals conceded and none scored in the past week, means they cannot leapfrog their neighbours with victory, the proximity of the two clubs should ensure a fiercely-competitive contest.