After a minor blip in the cup last week we returned to league action this week still with a 100% record. The visitors, East Peckham. For a few of the new players in the team it was just another game but some of the longer serving lads knew this was going to be a tough physical game and with only one win against East Peckham in their short history we were taking nothing for granted.
From the off B&A were playing slick passing football and looked dangerous. A lovely ball in from Bert early on saw Latts hit the post with a diving header, the Peckham keeper left stranded. It seemed like we'd set the tone another win was on the cards. But a long ball over the top caught the black back line out and the Peckham forward ran through and finished well. This did set the tone for the rest of the game. All East Peckham did for 90 minutes was punt it long and hope for the best, and all credit to them as it worked and we failed to deal with this age old tactic. Lawrie Sanchez and Graham Taylor would have been proud of them. It wasn't long before Blackham were on terms, Ghosty found the Bichon Frise a few yards out with an empty net. Just before the half a slip from stand in skipper Junior let them in again, a week shot which Dan obviously thought was going wide sailed neatly in to the top corner to give the visitors the advantage at the break. Still playing by far the better football and having the majority of possetion it was no surprise that Blackham levelled early in the second half, a long range strike from The Romford Pele bobbled horribly in front of the Blond Bombshell in the Peckham sticks and trickled in for 2-2. But then the long balls starting raining down like a Wednesday night during the blitz. And rather than sending up the barrage balloons and trying to deal with it all the B&A boys ran for shelter in the underground station!! It went to pieces and East Peckham scored two more goals, both good finishes but they should have never been given the time and space.
It was time to start making changes as the clock was running out. Hobbit was introduced in place of Phat Head Jefferies and we switched to a 4-4-2. Within minutes he had pulled a goal back, a smart finish from close range. But it all ended in despair for the fans favourite as clumsy, late challenge from the fat lad at the back ruptured a ligament in Hobbit's new, ending his afternoon and possibly his season. The ref however, did nothing. Minutes later Blackham had the ball in the back of the net (by a good 4 yards) but again the ref gave nothing, but he at least consulted his assistant, who conveniently said he saw nothing. Funny as he was about 10 yards away and in line. Everyone else on the pitch and on the sidelines saw that it was in. He was wearing glasses to be fair so probably not his fault. Still with all protesting the ref waved play on and even booked Latts for his efforts. We poured forward, Hamish made a good run and was hacked down on the edge of the box, the ref gave a free kick but again did precious little else. Not that we want to see players sent off but how many dangerous challenges do you need to see before taking action! Anyway, East Peckham held on and took all three points in a well contested, full blooded affair. Our first league defeat of the season, let’s hope it’s our last.
