CHIPS TOO SALTY FOR PECKHAM

Peckham returned to action at The Menace Arena after Southwark Council finally gave the ok for games to resume. Nathan Gamester started in goal with Raymond Agyemang and Elton Romaku the right and left backs respectively. With Jeremiah Duah Danso suspended and Adam Carrick only just recovering from Covid, Hassan Omar partnered Ben Whittaker in the centre of defence. Mary Phillip was able to field the same midfield and attack as last week, Joe Thomas, Tidi Barry and captain Nicky Meta the former, and Camilo Andres Nieva, Chris Weber and Kieran Dowding the latter. On the bench were Fareid Yassein, Yacoub Suleman, Rashane Wilson and, after re-signing for the club following injury, Joshua Montella.

With a crowd of 139 inside the Menace Arena the visitors got the game underway and immediately went on the offensive. Within two minutes they had forced a corner over on the far side. The ball was whipped across the area and eventually found the unmarked Chipstead number 5 at the back post via the chest of Camilo Andres Nieva. The Peckham winger immediately threw himself at the incoming shot and managed to block the effort only to take a knock as the Chipstead man followed through with his attempt at goal.

With a man down, the game continued but eventually the official saw sense and blew his whistle allowing the Peckham physio to give Camilo Andres Nieva some treatment. The game restarted with a drop ball and Peckham went on the attack with Kieran Dowding down the left wing. Losing his marker inside the box he managed to get a shot at goal only to be denied by the Chipstead keeper. He could only parry the ball as far as captain Nicky Meta but he hit his effort high over the bar from eight yards.

So far both sides were defending well with both Ben Whittaker and Hassan Omar standing firm. Raymond Agyemang and Elton Romaku both providing support when going forward. Mary Phillip’s team continued to put their opponents under pressure and had a great chance to take the lead on 14 minutes. Again the threat came down the left wing with Kieran Dowding crossing a ball deep into the Chipstead area. The ball found a defender who could only head the ball to Camilo Andres Nieva but he just couldn’t get his body over the ball and hit it over the goal.

This was already a very physical game and the first yellow came on the quarter hour mark after a rash challenge from Hassan Omar. The deadlock was finally broken in the 19th minute after a Chipstead player won the ball in midfield. He ran towards the ‘D’ before playing it out to the number 9 who slotted the ball past Nathan Gamester at the far post.

Peckham continued to search for an equaliser but just couldn’t break down the Chipstead defence. Nicky Meta came very close just before the half hour mark shooting just wide from 20 yards out in the 27th minute. Four minutes later Chris Weber did well to beat his marker to the ball at the far post but he could keep his effort on target! This coming after some great work down the right from Camilo Andres Nieva.

Peckham were just edging their opponents on possession with both Joe Thomas and Tidi Barry working hard in the middle of the pitch. Again the threats came from both flanks but they just couldn’t finish their opponents off in the final third. Half time came and despite the visitors going in one to the good, this was still anyone’s game, the next goal would certainly be pivotal.

With no changes during the break, Peckham got the second half underway. With six minutes played Hassan Omar went down after taking a knock to his ankle, but after some treatment he was fine to continue. Just before the hour mark Mary Phillip made her first changes, Joshua Montella replacing Chris Weber and Yacoub Suleman replacing Camilo Andres Nieva.

With 65 minutes played Raymond Agyemang had a go at goal but it was on his wrong foot and he hit it well wide. With both teams looking a threat going forward it was the visitors that got the next goal of the game. The Chipstead number 10 did well to cross the ball across the Peckham area and managed to find their number 11 who slotted the ball past the advancing Nathan Gamester at the back post.

Mary Phillip then opted for some more changes, Fareid Yassein replacing Raymond Agyemang in the 67th minute and then Peter Tarrant replacing Tidi Barry three minutes later. A minute later and Joe Thomas was taken out from behind by the Chipstead number ten and to the astonishment of the Peckham contingent the official only gave him a talking to.

With the game now inside the last fifteen, Rashane Wilson entered the field replacing captain Nicky Meta. Peckham continued to search for a way back into the game but Chipstead began to defend in numbers. With ten minutes to play Joe Thomas went into the officials book for a late challenge.

Bizarrely the away bench were adamant this was his second yellow of the game and were insistent the official stop play and send the Peckham midfielder off. With Chipstead players now insisting the Peckham man should go, the official then checked his book only to put them all in their place and tell them they need to get their facts right before making such claims. It was of course the first and only booking for Joe Thomas!

Time was running out for Peckham now, but Rashane Wilson came close four minutes from time only to be denied by a brave save from the Chipstead keeper and the assistants flag. The game had now entered added time and Mary Phillip was forced into one more change. Ben Whittaker turned his ankle in the fifth added minute and could take no further part. Nicky Meta returned to take up the left back position with Elton Romaku slotting into the centre of defence for the remaining minutes.

With a further three added minutes played the game was over. Yes, another disappointing result but this wasn’t a game in which Peckham played badly. At times they dominated their opponents and were the better team. This was a game of chances taken and chances not taken. There are certainly positives to take out of this game, the only negative will be the injury to Ben Whittaker which could see him out for a few weeks.

Next week we have a trip to the Kent coast as we face newly promoted Ashford, who play their home games in Hythe. Hopefully the sea air will help us to get back to winning ways.

Peckham Town FC (4-2-3-1). Nathan Gamester; Raymond Agyemang, Hassan Omar, Ben Whittaker, Elton Romaku; Tidi Barry, Joe Thomas; Camilo Andres Nieva, Nicky Meta (c), Kieran Dowding; Chris Weber

Subs: Joshua Montella (on for Chris Weber), Yacoub Suleman (on for Camilo Andres Nieva), Fareid Yassein (on for Raymond Agyemang), Peter Tarrant (on for Tidi Barry), Rashane Wilson (on for Nicky Meta) & Nicky Meta ( back on for Ben Whittaker)