THE MENACE TAUGHT A LESSON OR TWO AS MISTAKES PROVE COSTLY

As most of the country is recovering from Storm Eunice, The Menace would surely want to cause a storm of their own against Ide Hill. Cast your mind back to the 29th January when these two teams last met, we were treated to an 8 goal thriller, Peckham coming out 5-3 winners. So, surely this reverse fixture would be a much tighter game, maybe the odd goal winning it, right? Wrong...

Conditions leading up to kick off were atrocious, driving rain and strong winds to boot. The match probably only surviving the weather due to being played on artificial surface, which in itself would cause Peckham difficulty. This would be a tough game for both sides, without a doubt. Mary elected to start with the same XI from last weeks narrow home win. Tidian Barry still absent from his injury at Hawkinge following a terrible challenge, Adam Carrick donning the captains arm band for the third game in succession. Nicky Meta returned from his suspension, starting on the bench along with Marcus Black, Elton Romaku and Hugo Chasseriaux.

The hosts kicked off, and with the wind behind them, opted to shoot with the first kick of the game. This should’ve been an early warning for the Menace that they would be playing route one football, and one that should not have been ignored. Thankfully the shot didn’t trouble George Legg as is bounced over the goal. From the off, Ide Hill meant business and pegged Peckham back with their pressing game.

Peckham soaked up the early pressure and Joshua Montella should’ve done better on 4 minutes, forcing an early save from the Ide Hill keeper. However, within 2 minutes the hosts were ahead after Joe Thomas was out muscled in midfield and lost the ball. A quick ball forward found Scott Higgins, who finished superbly in the top corner with the Menace defence unable to recover the mistake.

On 13 minutes however, the captain had a chance to redeem himself as the Menace were awarded a free kick 30 yards out. The skipper opted to shoot, and saw is effort sail just over the bar. Slowly but surely Peckham were growing in to the game. This would change on 18 minutes after a somewhat controversial decision . A melee in the Peckham box saw George Legg claw the ball off the line, the hosts erupted into cries of “it’s over, it’s in”! The assistant on the far side had a great view and looked happy with his flag held firmly to the floor by the corner flag. Nonetheless, the referee decided to stop the game, so he could consult with his assistant. To the astonishment to the Menace players, bench and supporters, and probably a number of Ide Hill players, he overruled his assistant and the goal was given!

This decision acted as a kick up the backside and Peckham finally began to play the football that we know they can. The next goal would be crucial to whoever were to score it, surely. Peckham were now on top, and were showing the quality that had led to an 8 game unbeaten run going into this match.

However, it would be yet another mistake that was the deciding factor, as the Menace decided to shoot themselves in the foot again. Kevin Dance had the ball on the right in the defending third, and elected to play the ball inside. However, it was easily intercepted, and with George Legg well off his line, Ide Hill took full advantage and the ball was lobbed over his head and into the empty net.

As half time was approaching the Menace had a penalty shout waved away, after Montella was pushed in the back in box and floored. Maybe the shouts just weren’t loud enough, who knows? A Peckham goal was definitely coming though, and it did in the 45th minute. A ball across the crowded Ide Hill area found the unmarked Joshua Montella who fired home. His 18th goal of the season in as many games, an impressive stat. It was an important goal, as it gave Peckham a glimmer of hope for the second half.

The second half beckoned and it was Peckham’s time to play with the wind behind them. Surely Mary must have insisted they use this to their advantage, and from the off they did. It was attack after attack from Peckham now, with Ide Hill understandably content to sit on their lead. Dowding came close on 51 minutes, cutting in from the right and although he got the ball on his favoured left foot, his shot sailed over the bar.

A minute later it was time for a change, and Nicky Meta replaced Kevin Dance on the left wing. His introduction almost made an immediate impact as his cross from the left found David Gabor just inside the 18 yard box. Unfortunately he failed to connect properly and shot harmlessly wide. Nicky Meta then came close himself on 65 minutes, in acres of space he curled an effort just wide of the right hand post.

Yet again, it was another error that led to the hosts extending their lead. The ball, lost in midfield again, the hosts played it through the Menace defence in the 74th minute and saw the Ide Hill striker crash to the ground. However, this time the shouts were loud enough and a penalty was given of course. George Legg had no chance with the resulting kick - 4-1 to the hosts.

With 15 minutes to go it was surely game over now? No! Mary urged her men forward every time they had possession. Within 3 minutes David Gabor had is name on the score sheet after a perfect cross from Joshua Montella found him in the middle. He turned his marker one way, then again the other way, moved the ball onto his left foot he shot under the keeper.

This game was far from over, Mary knew this and urged her team to attack. On 82 minutes the Menace were awarded a corner, which Nicky Meta would take. He unleashed a high, curling ball into the crowded box, and perhaps wind assisted, it flew straight into the net. Another goal direct from a corner to add to Meta's collection.

The score was now 4-3, and it was game on now, and time for another change as Marcus Black replaced Keiren Dowding to try and nab the equaliser. Time for the veteran striker to help his teammates get something from this game. However, yet again, Peckham gave away any hope they had to secure points from the fixture. Ide Hill's fifth and decisive goal was gift-wrapped again. The ball was lost in defence, which enabled Ide Hill to launch another swift counter-attack, with Billy Robbins, on loan from Tonbridge Angels, finishing off the move.

Time was running out for the Menace, and with Hugo Chasseriaux replacing Norman Hong on 88 minutes, despite some decent passes he would have very little time to make an impact on the game. This was proven as the hosts added a sixth as the full time whistle approached, and the Menace were desperately pushing forward and leaving gaps at the back.

The referee finally put Peckham out of their misery, and the hosts celebrated with gusto when the final whistle blew. It was no more than they deserved, as this a performance littered with errors from Peckham. Despite falling to their fourth defeat of the season, the Menace are still on top of the league with a 5 point cushion. Second place Red Velvet's match succumbed to the weather, and now have seven, yes seven, games in hand!

Peckham Town (442) George Legg; Enzo Barreira, Charlie Egleton, Adam Carrick (c), Mustafa Hashemi; Kevin Dance, Norman Hong, Joe Thomas, Kieren Dowding; Joshua Montella, David Gabor. Subs: Elton Romaku, Nicky Meta (on for Kevin Dance), Marcus Black (on for Kieren Dowding), Hugo Chasseriaux (on for Norman Hong).