Back row: Chris Brewster, Gordon McCarthy, Mike Garvey, Andy Brannon, Paul Hamilton, Trevor Williams: Front row: Errol McCarthy, Spencer McGuire, John McGowan, Will Ross, Jim McTavish.

Team Photo

Eleven Clapham 'veterans' made their merry way to sunny Southgate on Saturday for our first ever competitive Vets fixture* - in the AFA Veterans Cup - amateur football's premium veterans competition. Fittingly, the eleventh arrive was John McGowan who had the kit meaning any chance of a warm up or team talk went out of the window - arguably John did us a favour on both fronts!

The fixture itself was a long time in the making. As a club we have pushed to formalise a vets side for 3 years and after a number of friendlies and a lot of admin we finally had the opportunity for some competitive action. Just our luck that the game fell on a weekend with so many players unavailable!

With the game underway we were comfortable keeping the oppo at bay, with John McGowan and Andy Brannon at centre half dominating their strikers. However, with Errol McCarthy up front on his own we weren't causing them any issues. With no substitutes we juggled what players we have into a more attacking formation during the first half - Paul Hamilton moving up front reaping immediate rewards with Clapham scoring two goals in five minutes before half time. Both goals began with the outstanding Paul Hamilton feeding the evergreen Jim McTavish on the left wing. On both occasions Jimmy picked out team mates in the box with great accuracy, making the finishing easy for Paul and Gordon McCarthy.

At half time we patched ourselves up and all agreed that we would not throw this away. In truth we could've added more with the McCarthy brothers and Paul Hamilton all coming close to extending our lead. Will Ross, making his Clapham debut was fantastic in midfield. At 5ft 2ins he won so many headers you'd swear he was a foot taller! Spencer McGuire in goal dealt efficiently with anything around our box and even swapped with the solid Trevor Williams for the last ten minutes when injury forced Trevor in goal…it was telling that he didn't need to touch the ball in that ten minutes such was our back four's dominance.

Anyone present knew Minchendenians were beaten when in the dying minutes the oppo skipper overran the ball in midfield, sending it ten yards out of his feet and within twelve yards of John McGowan…both guys' eyes lit up and feet went up in pursuit of the ball. Not only did McGowan take the ball and the man but he got up snarling and swearing like a trooper. He's one of a kind that Piggy! But it summed up that Clapham meant business.

The final whistle went and after a stint in their bar we learnt that the next round will be played on Saturday 18 October away at Nottsborough, in SW London. Big game. Hopefully we can deliver another solid performance and continue this cup run.

Please get the dates in your diaries.

Michael Garvey