Southern Combination League Premier Division
Piddinghoe Avenue, Peacehaven
Admsission: £7.00
Programme: Online
Attendance: 173
Following my lunchtime game at Ringmer, I then made the half hour drive down to the coast, for my first visit to Piddinghoe Avenue since Boxing Day 2017, although it would be my fourth time watching Peacehaven & Telscombe in 2022.
There have been no noticeable alterations to the ground since 2017, apart from a new entrance. The turnstile block that was used then is still in place but is no longer in use, and instead access is gained down a walkway alongside the clubhouse building, indicated with attracting surrounding pillars. The club publishes their programme online, but a few people did seem to have printed copies to hand, perhaps reserved for regulars.
Peacehaven have had a very up and down season so far, opening their season with four straight wins, then having a bit of blip, picking up just four points from seven games, but have picked up four points from their last two league games, along with 4-0 and 6-0 wins in cup competitions. They came into this game in tenth place in the table, following six wins and two draws from their 13 league games. This is Roffey's first ever season at Step 5, and it is fair to say that they have the going tough, picking just a solitary point from their opening 14 league games - and that point came in their last game, last Sautday, a goalless draw at home to Eastbourne United. They were certainly not helped by their manager leaving just before the start of the season, along with most of last season's squad. After having former AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Eames as interim boss, the club appointed Jack Munday as their new permanent manager earlier this week, and that looks an interesting appointment, with Munday guiding Alfold from Division Two to the Premier Division in successive seasons.
The majority of games in the Southern Combination League were postponed today, thanks to the persistent rain falling today after a deluge on Thursday, but Peacehaven's ground always seems to drain well, and indeed the pitch remained in excellent condition for this game. Happily, the rain relented for this game, save for a spell late in the second half. After an even start to the game, it was actually Roffey who came closest to opening the scoring, twice, first on 6 minutes a near post shot went just wide of the near post, and on 16 minutes, they had a goal ruled out for offside - a narrow call, by all accounts. But on 26 minutes, Peacehaven opened the scoring when, following a corner, some good quick passing in the and around the box ended with Jack Pettett curled the ball powerfully into the bottom right corner. Although Roffey looked reasonable going forward, and overall the game was quite even in the first half, they looked very vulnerable defensively, with a goalkeeper who did not inspire much confidence, which Peacehaven seemed to soon pick up on as they tried to rain in shots from distance. On 28 minutes, Max Hollobone saw his shot from the edge of the area come back off the right post, and on 34 minutes, Pettett had a close range shot from a very tight angle hit the outside of the right hand post. But on 42 minutes, Peacehaven were awarded a penalty when Drew Matthews was tripped over in the box, and Cameron Wiltshire scored, shooting into the bottom right corner with the keeper rooted. On the stroke of half time, Pettett came close to scoring another, excellently making his way through midfield before bearing down on goal, but his eventual shot was well blocked by the keeper.
After a first half in which Roffey had some good spells and looked an occasional threat, the second half really was one way traffic in favour of the hosts. They extended their lead to three within just a minute of the restart, when a loose ball was struck into the top left corner from 8 yards out, and they scored their fourth on 57 minutes, when another good flowing passing passage of play ended with Curtis Ford striking the ball into the roof of the net from close range at the second attempt. The goal of the game came on 75 minutes, when Matthews ran through midfield, and with the Roffey defenders not closing him down, Matthews unleashed a lovely shot on the run which sent the ball flying into the top right corner. Peacehaven's sixth came on 78 minutes when Callum Connor tapped home a corner at the far post, and after the ball was struck wide of an open goal on 81 minutes after a cross from the left, the hosts made it seven in the final minute when the Roffey keeper fumbled a low cross into the path of sub Robin Deen, who tapped the ball home from 8 yards.
In truth, Peacehaven could easily have made double figures in this game, spurning numerous great chances, and although this was a tough result on Roffey, hopefully brighter times will follow for them once their new manager settles and no doubt new players will join the fight.to save their season. It will be a tall order though, as they are currently nine points adrift of safety.
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