Thomas doubting Tons abilty to score

Takeley 2 Clapton 0

CLAPTON boss Wilfred Thomas is turning to the Sunday leagues in a bid to find a solution to the club's goalscoring problems, WRITES IAIN LIDDLE.

The Old Spotted Dog side travelled to Takeley on Saturday, in one of the few Essex Senior League games to be given the go-ahead, but were beaten by a goal in each half.

Thomas was buoyed by the fact his side created most of the chances in the game and enjoyed good possession, but says their failure to score is becoming a running joke around the club.

"I've just brought in another couple of people to have a look at," he said.

"One is a young boy who played for Prostar and the other is someone I've picked up from the Sunday league who is not afraid to throw his head at things.

"Even their people said we deserved more from the game on Saturday. I said to their manager, if you want to watch good football then come to Clapton, just don't expect us to win."

Clapton fell behind in the 13th minute on Saturday when Mark Watters broke from midfield and was not tracked by a runner.

The visitors enjoyed productive spells of possession for the first 75 minutes of the contest, creating four one-on-one chances with the Takeley goalkeeper, but all were spurned by wasteful finishing.

An own-goal from Justin Maynard settled the game on 80 minutes in the home side's favour and Thomas admits it was hardly a proud example of how to defend.

"He struck it like he was shooting," said the disbelieving boss. "It was hard, across the keeper and into the corner."

Clapton, who are now third from bottom of the league, face another tricky encounter on Saturday when they entertain high-flying Bethnal Green United at home.

"I'm looking forward to that one," said the manager. "I've been told they're a good footballing side although I've not yet been able to see them.

"Hopefully it will be a more a game of football and less a game of having to defend long, high balls forward, which will suit us.