DOWDING A THORN IN OPPONENT'S SIDE

Peckham’s preseason continued on Saturday as SCFL step six side Copthorne FC travelled up from West Sussex. Mary Phillip had a match day squad of fifteen which consisted of ten regulars from las season and five trialists. After the last game where a record crowd of 283 packed the Menace Arena, a more modest crowd of 80 came to watch this game.

Any late comers to the game could have missed 75% of the goals as Peckham took the lead after just 16.5 seconds! Peckham kicked off into a very strong wind and immediately went on the offensive, Kieran Dowding running onto a loose ball on the far side of the visitors 18 yard box. Without hesitating the Menace winger hit it first time across the area, the ball hit the Copthorne keeper's left hand post and rebounded into the goal.

The early euphoria didn’t last long as the visitors levelled with just three minutes played. Peckham failed to pick up an opponent on the edge of their area, and after receiving the ball from a corner, he curled the ball home from 20 yards. Then with barely five minutes played Copthorne took the lead from a close ranged header at the far post!

The visitors began to take control and could have doubled their lead were it not for a great save from the Peckham trialist keeper on 20 minutes. Mary Phillip’s side had a great chance to equalise on 24 minutes but were denied by a goal line clearance from a Copthorne defender. Peckham eventually got their reward five minutes before the break. As we saw many-a-time last season, Peckham’s wingers switch flanks at the halfway mark, and having done this earlier it was again Kieran Dowding with an outstanding run, that drew them level. Running on to a ball from deep inside the Peckham half he outran his marker, turned inside to lose another, and slotted the ball in at the near post from 15 yards, 2-2! As half time approached Peckham should have taken the lead as the ball ricocheted around the visitors 6 yard box before it was eventually cleared to safety.

Half time and all to play for, and with no changes during the break, the visitors kicked off the second half. Captain Nicky Meta brought out a decent save from the Copthorne keeper on 55 minutes and again two minutes later to deny Kieran Dowding his hat-trick. After some great work by A. Trialist on the far side of the visitors 18 yard box, the ball was played into space inside the 6 yard box. The Peckham winger ran on to the ball and fired goal-wards only to see the Copthorne keeper save it with his left boot!

Mary Phillip then opted for some changes, A Trialist replacing A Trialist on 63 minutes and Jeremiah Duah Danso making way for A Trialist on 70 minutes. The visitors then thought they had won a spot kick three minutes later as their striker looked to have been taken out from behind as he bore down on the Peckham goal! The Copthorne players went through the motion, placing the ball on spot as the Peckham contingent protested. The official was adamant it was a penalty kick but was yet to notice his assistant frantically trying to get his attention. Eventually the official went over to consult with his counterpart and after what seemed ages overturned his penalty decision and gave a corner. It was a great spot by the assistant as on closer inspection the video evidence favours the defenders challenge!

With just over ten minutes to play Elton Romaku and Joe Thomas replaced Nicky Meta and Tidi Barry in the 78th minute, the skipper returning to the action six minutes from time replacing A Trialist. As the game entered added time Joe Thomas was given a great opportunity to win the game, only to send the ball high over the bar and into Dulwich Park! And with that the game was over and the spoils were shared. Again several Peckham regulars stood out alongside a few of the trialists and a draw, albeit a friendly, against a higher league opponent was a decent result.

Tuesday’s game against Tooting Bec (18th July) was unfortunately cancelled due to scheduled road closures outside the Menace Arena. Our next game will now be on Saturday 22nd July when we travel to the south coast to play step six SCFL side Worthing United. Jolly boys and girls outing anyone??

Peckham Town FC (4-2-3-1): A. Trialist; A. Trialist, Jeremiah Duah Danso, Ben Whittaker, Adam Carrick; Tidi Barry, A. Trialist; Camilo Andres Nieva, Nicky Meta (c), Kieran Dowding; A. Trialist
Subs: Fareid Yassein, Elton Romaku, Joe Thomas, A. Trialist