The Menace fail to topple the Monarchs

Peckham Town’s travel sickness continued, as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat away to Staplehurst Monarchs.

The Menace made one change from the team that downed Fleetdown United at home last Saturday - Adrian Butler returned to midfield as Drew Newton was unavailable. This was arguably the biggest game of the season so far for Peckham, as Staplehurst Monarchs were setting the pace atop of the Kent County League Premier Division. Town went into the game buoyed by a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture at the Menace Arena in December, and were looking to complete a league double over the league leaders.

A crowd of over fifty spectators were present at the Jubilee Sports Ground to greet both teams, as they walked out to a cold afternoon in the Kent countryside. The Monarchs had the majority of the possession in the first half and were winning the 50-50 challenges, but Town were containing the home team and looking to be a threat on the break. It was the home-side that broke the deadlock, as they won a hotly disputed penalty. Despite protests from the Menace, Josh Brown kept his cool and converted the spot-kick.

Peckham now had to chase the game in the second half, and began to match Staplehurst across the pitch. Substitute Yaya Barry pulled a goal back for the visitors, but two further goals from Nathan Bertrand and Steve Elliot condemned the visitors to defeat and a disappointing journey back to Peckham. Luke Wallond, Player-Manager of Staplehurst Monarchs, said “It was a great team performance. The boys [did] everyone at the club proud - a great battle against a very good Peckham side”.

The Menace were left to ponder why the team’s form has been so disappointing outside of the M25 this season. Town have been on fire when making short journeys within the ring-road – winning five away games out of five and scoring twenty-two goals in the process. However, crossing the M25 and into Kent has given Peckham travel sickness. Town have won only twice and lost six games, including two against lower division opposition in Cups games. Town will be thanking their lucky stars that there is only one further away game into Kent out of the remaining eleven games this season!

The Menace are back at home on Saturday 26 January, when they take on Faversham Strike Force at 2pm. You can keep up with all the latest Menace news on Twitter and Instragram by following @PeckhamTownFC.

Staplehurst Monarchs: Steven Lawrence; Carl West (c), Nathan Bertrand, William Philips-Reid, Dan Ashton; Harry Sheridan, James West, Edward Rossetti, Steve Elliot; Luke Wallond, Joshua Brown. Subs: Jack Clark, Ross Borg, Ryan Parks, Pete West, Paul Atkins

Peckham Town (4-4-2): Larry McArdle; Lewis McIntyre, Alfie Ball, Hiram Laud - Anderson, Adam Tarrant; Kevin Dance, Adrian Butler, Lukman Mojeed (c), Nicky Meta; Herve Mbongue, Kladji Cani. Subs: Youssef Bouimane and Yaya Barry

Officials: Peter Wilson, Mick Pitcher and Jim Bodle