Return to the Menace

Saturday 26 April 2025, Peckham Town 1 New Romney 2 - Kent County, Premier Division, Menace Arena

After a late call off last season due to a waterlogged pitch, thought I should go back and watch a game at the Menace Arena, and with top of the table, New Romney as the visitors, I thought it would be a good game.

The Menace Arena is a great ground for Step 7 and should be one for all hoppers to visit, Railed off, clubhouse, good beer, quirky stand, smallest stand in IK and great signage add to that a good community club, a woman manager and a friendly welcome.

Football wise, New Romney did not look like a team who could win the title today, they offered very little and Peckham deserved to go in front after 36 minutes.

New Romney started the second half with a more positive attitude and got back on level terms after 50 minutes. The game got quite niggly as certain players in both teams became ill-disciplined, but the ref did well to calm things down and keep all 22 on the pitch.

Peckham then got back on top and looked like they may get a winner but then with 5 minutes left New Romney hit them on the break to get an undeserved win. 

With Minster also winning, New Romney will have to wait a bit longer to lift the title. 

Soon to move

Saturday 12 April 2025, Cuxton 91 2 SC Thamesmead Reserves 1 - Kent County Premier, Cuxton Community Ground 

Wanted to be home early however wanted a new ground and then when I heard the Cuxton 1st team are to move in at Maidstone next season that had me driving just south of the Dartford Tunnel.

Ground is well worth a visit, the friendly welcome , the programme then you spot the raised spectator area on a small hill above the dug outs. Giving the ground an almost South Wales feel to it. The ground is very tight so you can only watch from the hill or the corner behind one goal. Smart, large modern clubhouse, selling beer and pies. The crowd (according to the programme) was one of the lowest of the season, but think that when the club announces the gate it will include the 15 to 20 punters who never left the clubhouse or clubhouse garden.

Cuxton started the day in third with a chance of going second but it was Thamesmead who started on top and took the lead after 12 minutes, this actually seemed to wake Cuxton up, who got back on terms after 19 minutes then went ahead after 30 minutes.

No further goals in the second half but Cuxton did hit the post and the visitors keeper had to make a number of good saves.

Good news is that the Cuxton Reserve team will continue to play here next season.