Missing players cost the Menace

The Menace were up against it before a ball was kicked on Saturday. Stansfeld have won four on the bounce coming into the match, and were full of confidence. So going into the match with half the squad absent for various reasons, including the two top scorers and the regular midfield pairing, was far from ideal. The remaining players were shuffled around with players forced into unfamiliar positions. There was one bit of good news, George Legg returned in goal, much to the relief of Elton Romaku who could return to a more familiar outfield position!

Peckham had the better of the opening exchanges, and should have taken an early lead when Tiddy Barry found Adam Toubal at the near post, but he could only put his shot wide of the post. This was followed up soon after with a shot just over the bar from Samuel Boakye. Adam Toubal then found himself in on goal, but went over under a challenge in the box. The ref waved away the penalty appeal, but getting a shot away would have been the better option rather than falling under the slight pressure shoulder to shoulder.

Stansfeld had their chances too in the half and George Legg had to be alert to keep a couple of attempts out. It was pleasing to see the home side were committed to playing football on the deck and move it quickly though the lines, which is a rarity in this league. However, it was a set piece that broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time, when a corner was swung in and a simple header was placed into the bottom corner, giving Legg no chance.

The versatile Elton Romaku came on for Adam Toubal in the 52nd minute. A left back by trade, Elton had been forced to fill in as a goalkeeper for the last two games and half with both Legg and Banks-Hayes injured. He was asked to play up top with Gabor when joining the match on Saturday, and it came off. Peckham won a free kick on the hour mark and he ghosted into the edge of the box unmarked and was given time to pick out the bottom left corner to pull the Menace level.

The momentum should have now been with Peckham, but this confidence was immediately dented when Tiddy Barry gave away a penalty. The Stansfeld player had his back to goal and was going nowhere, so the home side would have been delighted by the unnecessary rash challenge. George Legg pulled off a great save from the resulting spot kick, low down to his right, but the Menace defence were slow to react and the penalty taker had time to knock the rebound home.

The nasty side of the game reared its ugly head soon after the goal. David Gabor was wiped out by a tackle that took the top of the ball and the striker’s shin. Remarkably the referee awarded a throw-in, while Gabor was left on the floor and had to be helped from the pitch. He was taken to hospital following the match with a heavily swollen knee and will be out for an unspecified time as we await further news. We wish him well in his recovery. Toubal returned to the pitch to take his place up front.

Meta had a chance to equalise with a shot from distance, but Stansfeld held firm. The Menace didn't give the impression that a second equaliser was imminent, with no resources to call on from the bench, and Stansfeld were content to protect their lead.

Manager, Mary Phillip, said after the match “We had to make several last minute changes, as the squad dwindled from sixteen down to twelve. This posed a challenge! All the remaining squad players stepped up and played to the final whistle 110%. Collectively we will pull together again and learn from our past. We will prepare for our next challenge and live in the present.”

Peckham Town (4-4-2): George Legg; Handerson Suarez, Stephane Nzimbakany, Adam Carrick, Mustafa Hashemi; Tidian Barry, Samuel Boakye, Charlie Egleton, Nicky Meta (c); David Gabor, Adam Toubal. Subs: Elton Romaku (on for Toubal)