“Where’s the jousting, or at least a spot of bear baiting?” asked one supporter as they filed in for Saturday’s match versus Tudor Sports. The name of Saturday's opposition had obviously confused some punters who were hoping for some blood curdling 16th century sport. South London was renowned for playing host to bear baiting during this period. Sadly, the Menace volunteers were not able to rustle up a bear at short notice, so supporters had to make do with a sport more associated with the Windsor period.

The Menace team were accompanied onto the pitch by James and his birthday party friends, as they had sponsored the match for the day. The team were hoping to bounce back from a disappointing run of form or late and return to winning ways. The opposition had several familiar faces with several ex-Menace players, including former Peckham joint manager, Ricky Tompkins.

Peckham were on top from the off, creating several chances. The referee waved away a couple of early penalty appeals when a handball was missed in the box and Josh Montella’s leg was clipped as he went to shoot.

The Menace were not to be denied however with a beautiful team goal to open the scoring. Nicky Meta brought the ball out of defence, Mary Phillip called for the ball to be switched across the pitch, and Meta duly delivered with a peach of a through-ball to Kevin Dance advancing down the right side of the pitch. He then bent a cross around his marker for Josh Montella to delicately apply the final touch as he arrived late at the back post.

The second goal arrived on the half hour mark, when the offside trap was beaten. Josh Montella feigned to go one way and left Tommy Kemp wrong footed as he rounded him and had the simple job of passing the ball into the Tudor net.

The gloss was put on the half in injury time. Nicky Meta crossed from the left after the initial corner was cleared, and Charlie Egleton rose unmarked at the near post to flick a lovely header into the net at the back post. The Menace were worthy leaders after a dominant first half display, although memories of the last home game would have undoubtedly been in the players heads when a 3-0 lead was tossed away.

The onslaught on the Tudor goal continued in the second half. Hashemi had an opportunity to score when Meta’a backheel set him free in the box, but his shot was straight at the ‘keeper. Montella was then set free down the left, but his cross was straight at the defender when Barry and Dowding were both free in the box.

Egleton looked to extend the Menace’s lead on the hour mark when he received the ball in the middle and smacked a dipping shot from outside the box, but Kemp was equal to it, and tipped it over the bar.

Opportunities for the players on the bench were made over the last half hour, as all players were given minutes and the opportunity to impress. Nzimbakany suddenly found himself free to advance into the box and thundered his shot against the upright. The goal was still shaking when Dowding did really well to beat his man on the edge of the box minute and advance on goal, but a last ditch tackle denied him the opportunity to score.

A fourth goal finally came in injury time when Herve Mbongue was rewarded for his patience from the bench. A cross from the right found Mbongue unmarked at the back stick and he side-footed home past the Tudor keeper. The final whistle sounded soon after to send the 186 Menace supporters home happy.

Peckham Town Chairman, Bryan Hall, reflected “We have had a rough three weeks. We had gone down with injuries, but I knew once we had players coming back into the side we would be alright. That’s how it is - Menace life ain’t easy.” The Menace are on the road for the next two Saturdays at Snodland Town and Borden Village. Peckham return to the Menace Arena on 6 November versus Hawkinge Town.

Peckham Town (4-4-2): George Legg; Stephane Nzimbakany, Samuel Boakye, Adam Carrick, Mustafa Hashemi; Kevin Dance, Tidian Barry, Charlie Egleton, Nicky Meta (c); Kieran Dowding, Joshu Montella. Subs (all used): Elton Romaku, Handerson Suarez, Emmanuel Cobbina, Norman Hong, Herve Mbongue

Attendance - 186