The clock struck 12.30pm on Saturday 3rd September 2011 and it was time for the players to make their way for PPR FC's first ever 11-a-side league game. And what a day it turned out to be!
The Peckham Rye pitch was flat but summer bobbles meant it was tricky to keep the ball under control. PPR went into every tackle like their life depended on it. From the off they were strong, energetic and passionate. The cries of 'man on' and the crack of boot on shinpad were a flavour of the early part of this historic day.
PPR rode the early possession Rovers instigated well and battled through the first 15 mins of this frantic affair and slowly became more confident. This nonchalance was shown by PPR keeper, Turner, letting a 40 yard screamer, from their hair band wearing, 90s throwback "star", hit the bar. But was ready on hand to charge at the feet of the Rovers attacker and make a game changing save.
Then on 15' the early break through came. Richardson with inspiration from watching Rory Delap partner with Kenwyn Jones saw an opportunity as Havers marched into the box for a right sided throw in. He quickly hurled a missile straight onto Havers head, who's quick thinking meant his dummy allowed the ball to hit the Robbie Savage wannabe clean cut on the lower arm.
Richardson who had been given the nod before the game on pens misplaced his balls for a second so in stepped the confident Matthew Green. Keeper chose right but the strike by green was too good as it nestled in the corner with just 6 bounces along the way.
That early strike knocked the home side and the tie immediately flipped to the aways side advantage. PPR then continued to dominate much of the half which led to the second on 35'.
Baker, with a tantalising run on the right, exchanging one twos with anyone who'd oblige, suddenly found himself in the box surrounded by defenders and with their keeper charging at his toes. With true exuberance he looked to the keepers right and played it to his left a la Ronaldhino in his hay day. The ball rolling towards the inform (two in two) Barnes just had to be slotted into the empty net. But wait, the on song Barnes knew he had time and managed to take 6 touches, rounding the keeper for a second time and slotting home deafly into the corner.
This settled PPR as much as it riled the oppo and the game was very much heading for an away victory. An energising halftime analysis along with the knowledge that slope and wind was now in PPRs favour meant the 2nd half was likely to lead to a stinking win for PPRs first ever league game.
Well the 2nd half surly started that way with multiple chances falling to PPR and, what has to be said, some lovely one touch football. Barnes with inspiration from his first half strike saw an opportunity to run to the byline and induce a wild lunge from the Rovers CB. Screams for a pen fell on deaf ears but the ball ricocheted out and fell kindly to the inform Flynn, who nestled the ball away to make it 0-3 PPR.
Subs were introduced on 55' as Havers took a knee to the chest from the oppo keeper and was forced out and on 60' when the commanding "ball AND man' left back PALLAN took leave. Coming into a game of that pace is always difficult but the subs Hilton and Hoey commanded their positions well and held strong till the end.
A late injury to Barnes (ruptured ankle ligament, 6 week rest) saw PPR down to 10 men. And it must be said that this is where we saw the true PPR come to play. Effort/energy was maximised, chat and communication was abundant, there was no way an 11 man home team would get through the 10 man machine that was PPR. Nothing that is until the 80' mark, when the referee decided a legitimate well read tackle by Srdj leaving the attacker confused was deemed an offence and the home said awarded a penalty.
Turner guessed correctly but a well struck right foot shot nestled in the right corner. Too little, too late however as PPR held strong and came away from the first game of the 2011/12 season with a truly deserved 1-3 victory.
Special mention has to go to everyone for an absolutely outstanding display full of grit and determination to hold on to that win when we went down to 10. Everyone will receive an 8 out of 10 on teamstats.com/prioryparkrangersfc (yet to be updated). Receiving 9 out of 10 for the extra style and panache we needed goes to Flynny and Desforges for being MOM nominees. 10/10 and a truly special mention has to go to firstly Srdj for an inspirational game across the back, receiving the players MOM award and secondly to Jonny for an opposition controlling performance in the centre of the park and receiving the referees MOM award.
Well done to all involved! They are a strong outfit and we proved ourselves brilliantly, we just got to keep doing what were doing.
Bring on next week!!! When we will be playing Dynamo Santos at Holland Park in their first game of the season.
The Chair
2011/12 PPR FC Committee
