Saturday the 21st May 2022 will go down in Menace history for a few reasons. Firstly, the matter of myself (Dave Webster) coming out of retirement to don the goalkeepers gloves one final time. Oh, and earlier in the day our very own Mary Phillip was given the Freedom of the Borough Southwark. Receiving the award at a ceremony in Southwark Cathedral, it was certainly a well deserved award, the highest award given to members of the public.

So, on to the game, and if I’m honest, I don’t remember much of what went on. Both teams started brightly if I remember. I’m sure I didn’t have to much to do in the opening 15 minutes or so.

It was clear that the fitness levels would certainly play their part as the Parents/Coaches took the lead. Not long after they could have doubled their lead from close range, but I made a fantastic point blank save and gathered the ball, and may have even broken my middle finger in the process, but I battled on!

The second goal of the game again fell to the Parents/Coaches. The ball lofted into the Ultras penalty box from the left, I opted to stay on my line as their were enough defenders to deal with it. Unfortunately it met the head of an attacking player who rose like a salmon and headed high into to the top right hand corner of my goal.

At this point both teams were taking advantage of the roll on roll off substitutes, although the Ultras didn’t quite have as many resources as their opponents. This proved pivotal as the Parents/Coaches scored a third. Shouts for offside were ignored by the officials, concentration dropped and the ball was powered home at the near post. I managed to get a foot to it but it wasn’t enough to stop it going in. I’ll claim that as an OG! The Ultras had two good chances to get back in the game but the finishing just wasn’t happening for us.

Thankfully half time soon came and it was time for both managers to give very different team talks. Time for a change between the sticks for the Menace Ultras too, as the ever present supporter and Menace reserve keeper, Archer Hill to take over.

Duncan Hart, making his managerial debut, opted for a change of formation for the Ultras too. The shape shifted from 442 to 451 in defence and 433 in attach to try and get more of the ball in the midfield. It worked as it kept the Parents/Coaches at bay for a while.

However, the fourth goal was coming, and was in fact gifted to them as the assistant on the far side, somewhat behind play failed to spot an obvious offside and the ball was slotted home, 4-0!

The game was effectively put to bed, but the Ultras weren’t going to give up, and changed shape again to 3-4-3 with the hope of grabbing a consolation. Skipper Al Crane returned to the pitch and went up top as a target man.

The mission now was to at least get one goal. It was at this point the Ultras' manager played his joker and called the infamous ‘next goal wins’ rule into play - much to the delight of his players. Denzil Rolle, the Parents/Coaches manager, seemed to agree via his silence...or perhaps he didn't hear?!

The Ultras'were now reinvigorated and sensed an opportunity. A lovely through ball put Pete Harris through on goal. He was about to fire home when he was taken down from behind. The referee had no hesitation and pointed at the spot.

Skipper Al Crane took responsibility to win the match on "next goal wins". And score he did. Demonstrating nerves of steel he slotted it to the right hand corner to give Rohan Howitt no chance.

So the final whistle blew immediately after the penalty as dictated by the "next goal wins" rule, so the final score finished Menace Ultras 1 vs Parents/Coaches 4. The Ultras celebrated their "win" and Parents/Coaches celebrated their so called win, but there was really only one winner, Peckham Town Football Club.

Yet that wasn’t the end of the day. It was now time for the awards ceremony conducted by club Chairman and founder Bryan Hall. Awards were given to all the teams, from the kids to the 1st team. Whether a player won a specific award or not, each and every one there were all winners.