My first visit to the East Peckham Recreation ground in Pippin Road, was to see a West Kent Sunday Football league Division 1 fixture between AFC Valour and Simla FC. Simla FC once played at East Peckham Recreation ground themselves so while AFC Valour were the home side, there was little advantage.

Simla FC sat second in the table, coming into the game. AFC Valour were some fourteen points behind, in sixth place. Ian Parsons had top scored for Simla FC thus far, with 13 goals.

The match was just five minutes old, when AFC Valour’s number eight, was seemingly through on goal, but tried to go wide when a simple shot would have sealed a goal and thus allowed the Simla FC keeper to make an unlikely save.

The next twenty minutes saw chances created for both sides. In the 27th minute a mistimed challenge in the Simla FC area resulted in a penalty for AFC Valour. Despite the penalty being reasonably well struck, the Simla FC keeper diving to his right, made an athletic and clean save.

At the break the sides went in with the scores level. Both teams had plenty of chances to score but, as the sun came out and it actually felt finally like Spring was breaking through, neither side could make the crucial breakthrough.

The second half saw some heavy Simla FC pressure, which finally, in the 70th minute brought the opening goal. Simla FC creating a clear cut chance in a crowded penalty area courtesy of a clever back heeled pass.

Simla FC then controlled much of the play for the final twenty minutes, the AFC Valour keeper and defence stopped the score from being extended from a range of corners, with some solid defensive work.

As the final whistle blew, it was the away side who took the three points, to put pressure on Wood Lane, at the top of the table. AFC Valour had two clear chances in the first half to put themselves in front, but had run out of steam in the second half.