BANGURA BAGS WIN FOR PECKHAM

Mary Phillip’s side returned to action after more than a month without kicking a ball. This their first game of 2023 and their first game since the 3rd of December, and their first league game since the 26th November. The Peckham manager had a depleted squad once again with many players unavailable. George Legg returned in goal, and Ben Whittaker also returned to partner Charlie Egleton in the centre of defence. Captain Nicky Meta deputised at left back, and Festus Ogunlana was the stand-in at right back. Jacob Kemp returned to partner Joe Thomas in the centre of midfield with Kieran Dowding on the left wing and Camilo Andres Nieva on the right wing. Hamid Bangura and David Gabor started up front with Tidi Barry and Joshua Montella both on the substitutes bench.

There were concerns that this game would be called off as the rain fell on an already soft Menace Arena early on Saturday morning. All eyes were on the Match official as he made his way around the pitch but with about an hour to go before kick off he gave the thumbs up. And with that good news, Peckham kicked off into the wind, attacking towards the South Circular Road end. Both teams started brightly, the visitors still awaiting their first win of the season opting for route one football early on. They were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal with barely three minutes played, but George Legg wasn’t troubled by their effort.

Peckham’s first real chance came in the 9th minute, as they attacked down the left wing. Overlapping winger Kieran Dowding, Nicky Meta found himself in some space and sent an in-swinging ball into the visitors area towards the unmarked David Gabor on the 6 yard line. The Peckham forward failed to connect and this nearly caught the visiting keeper by surprise who parried the ball away. With no one following in at the back post, he had plenty of time to compose himself and gather the ball!

Both teams looked dangerous going forward, and once again Charlie Eglton and Ben Whittaker were on hand making some vital interventions. When Peckham attacked they looked to their wingers, Festus Ogunlana providing some decent support for Camilo Andres Nieva on the right. Jacob Kemp saw his effort on 22 minutes easily saved, the midfielder never really got any power behind his shot, but again showing what a vital player he is to have in the team.

The opening goal came a minute before the half hour mark. As Peckham pushed forward the ball fell to Hamid Bangura just inside the opponents area. He took a touch with his right foot, turned his marker and curled in a shot with his left foot which found the bottom left hand corner of the net. Mary Phillip’s team began to put the pressure on their opponents now as they searched to double their lead.

There were shouts for a penalty in the 32nd minute as David Gabor went down in the area from a challenge from behind. The official saw nothing wrong with the tackle and the game continued despite the striker’s protests. As Peckham continued to dominate further the visitors began to show their frustration. Camilo Andres Nieva was floored a minute later and required some treatment to continue.

The first yellow of the game came after the Bromleians number 3 wiped out Joe Thomas in the centre circle on 37 minutes. Still Peckham continued to dominate and should have doubled their lead five minutes later. Nicky Meta sent in a corner from the far side, Charlie Egleton made a diagonal run through the area but headed over the bar. As the game entered added time the visitors showed that they were far from out of the game. They probably should have had the equaliser, heading wide of George Legg’s goal just seconds before the official brought the half to a close!

Mary Phillip opted for a change for the second half and Joshua Montella replaced Hamid Bangura for the restart. Within two minutes the visitors again should have equalised as they countered, but thankfully their effort went just wide of the Peckham goal. Camilo Andres Nieva could have doubled Peckham’s lead three minutes later after Joshua Montella played a ball into the area. The Bromleians defender got a foot to the ball but only knocked it straight to the Peckham winger who saw his snap shot hit the side netting.

Joshua Montella looked threatening every time Peckham attacked, shooting just wide on 55 minutes. It was however the visitors that came closest to scoring just two minutes later as they searched for the equaliser. As they got numbers forward Peckham failed to clear, the visitors number 11 shot goal wards from just inside the Menace area. His shot deflected off of Charlie Egleton and fell kindly at the feet of their number 9 six yards from the goal. George Legg managed to get back to his feet and threw himself towards the ball, deflecting the shot high over the bar.

Both teams continued to threaten each other as they both searched for the next goal. Frustration setting in again, the visitors picked up their second booking of the game in the 63rd minute after a late challenge from their number 7 on Nicky Meta. The Menace skipper looked in some discomfort but thankfully was ok to continue.

Two minutes later the visitors could have and should have had their equaliser. The ball found its way to their unmarked striker who put his effort wide from just 5 yards out. This was a big let off for Peckham and a big chance missed for Bromleians to get back into the game. Mary Phillip decided on her second change and Joe Thomas made way for Tidi Barry on 65 minutes.

As the game entered the final fifteen minutes Peckham had several chances to finish their opponents off. The first of two chances for Camilo Andres Nieva came in the 75th minute as the winger found himself in a central position heading towards the goal. The visitors defence kept backing off from the winger and he let fly with his left foot from 20 yards out. The Bromleians keeper was equal to his effort and pulled off a decent one handed save to his right to deny Peckham a second goal.

Mary Phillip’s made a third change on 77 minutes as Hamid Bangura returned to the action to replace David Gabor. Four minutes later came Camilo Andres Nieva’s second chance to put the game out of reach but he shot inches wide. However Peckham’s best chance to seal it came two minutes from the end of normal time. Striker Joshua Montella found himself with only one defender to beat. As he switched the ball on to his left foot the advancing keeper looked to have gifted the Menace striker an open goal but he just couldn’t get enough power behind his shot. As his effort rolled towards the goal the defender recovered and managed to block the ball on the 6 yard line and it was cleared. Another frustrating day at the office for the Peckham forward, but it won’t be long before he finds the back of the net again.

The game entered added time and Peckham eventually saw out the game after four added minutes. This was a hard fought win in some tricky conditions, and a crowd of 96 showed their appreciation at the final whistle. Credit must be given to Bromleians who despite propping up the league table, certainly didn’t play like a team in that position. Credit also goes to the Menace back four, Charlie Egleton with some vital tackles and also to the King of the Match winner Festus Ogunlana. The midfielder, deputising at right back showed some quality on the pitch, not only in his defending but for his support when Peckham attacked. An important win for Mary Phillip’s side as they look to climb the table and move into the top half. Next week Peckham travel out to Dartford as they face a tricky league tie away to third placed Fleetdown Utd.

Peckham Town FC (4-4-2): George Legg; Festus Ogunlana, Charlie Egleton, Ben Whittaker, Nicky Meta (c); Camilo Andres Nieva, Joe Thomas, Jacob Kemp, Kieran Dowding; Hamid Bangura, David Gabor. Subs: Joshua Montella (on for Hamid Bangura), Tidi Barry (on for Joe Thomas) & Hamid Bangura (back on for David Gabor).