A truly fantastic season ended in the best possible fashion at a very warm and sunny Viridor Stadium yesterday afternoon (5th May) as the Peacocks won the Southern League Championship match with a 4-2 victory over East Division winners Beaconsfield Town.
Kick-off for the game was delayed by 40 minutes due to the late arrival of the visitors after being stuck in traffic but Town were soon into their stride and took the lead on 11 minutes when Dan Sullivan set up Ryan Brett to drive into the far corner past Rams keeper Nick Hamann. Chances continued to come for the hosts before the Rams drew level on 31 minutes when Scott Cousins’ free kick hit the post and went in off the back of Lloyd Irish. Aaron Minhas then crashed a shot off the bar but was on hand to put Beaconsfield ahead five minutes later, tapping home after lrish had parried Lee Barney’s shot. The Peacocks equalized four minutes into the second half when a slick break finished with Joel Randall netting across Nick Hamann but the game then dipped in the heat until the Peacocks retook the lead with 15 minutes remaining, Craig Veal being pulled down in the box and skipper Matt Wright driving in the spot kick. Sullivan then sealed matters three minutes later, volleying past Hamann with the aid of a deflection after Wright had flicked on a throw-in. Victory extended Town’s undefeated run in all competitions to 25 games as they look forward to a well-earned break over the summer before beginning their new adventure in the Southern Premier next season.
Reaction | Manager Leigh Robinson said: “A perfect way to end a pretty perfect season with another trophy in front of our own fans on a sunny day. We were a bit flat first half perhaps down to the elongated preparation as it’s tough to be hanging around for so long not knowing when the game will start. However in the second half the players did what they’ve done all year, changed gears and found something when it mattered and we came out with a handy win.”