PECKHAM IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

So, all refreshed from my holiday on the Isle of Wight, I was psyching myself up in the car on the A3 on our way home for my return to action on Twitter and thinking how I could better my last match report. Suddenly a WhatsApp message came through from club secretary Jackie Phillip informing me that Saturday's game is off.

The reason, Southwark Council had decided to shut the clubhouse for all access on Friday due to the fire alarm system failing its checks, and the realisation that the fire extinguishers had not had their annual checks. The responsibility for undertaking both, the Council!

So in spite of the pitch being prepared, food ordered and programmes printed…all at a cost to the club. It was deemed necessary to shut the clubhouse with immediate effect the day before our next league game. Given the distance Minster would have had to come, the league understandably refused permission for the match to go ahead without showers and changing facilities.

‘Oh well’ I thought, myself and my significant other would have to pile through the washing after a week away, and give out our gifts to everyone when we can return to the Menace Arena once again. Then, about half an hour later another WhatsApp message came through to say that Mary Phillip had got in touch with enough players to arrange an in-house friendly at the Menace Arena. Supporters would be welcome, free entry for all, but obviously there would be no access to the club house.

So, with this news we arrived at the Menace Arena on Saturday and distributed our gifts as planned, Andrew Baffour quickly munched his way through his stick of Isle of Wight rock, hoping that the sugar rush would improve his officiating skills for the game (and I must say it did).

As for the game, well, for an ‘in-house friendly’ both sides didn’t hold back in their determination to come out victorious. For the handful of spectators inside the ground they were treated to some great goals and some great saves from both keepers.

Mary Phillip took charge of the "away team" in Yellow, with coach Junior Asante slotting into the midfield. The "home team", in traditional red & white hoops, were managed by assistant manager, Bryan Hall, for all of about five minutes before he was called away. Team affairs were then left in the hands of the injured midfielder Jacob Kemp and Duncan Hart (from programme editor to gaffer!).

The "home side", in the red & white hoops, opened the scoring from a corner in the 15th minute much against the run of play I might add. The Yellow’s defence failing to clear their lines allowing Jeremiah Duah Danso to slot home at the far post.

Six minutes later the game was level after Nicky Meta scored a spectacular goal. The Yellows countered and from over on the far side of the 18 yard box the Peckham team captain sent his effort into the top right hand corner of the goal.

The Yellows had now found an extra gear and took the lead in the 38th minute. Yacoub Suleman shrugged off three challenges inside the area before poking the ball past the Hoops keeper at his near post. Half time was quickly approaching and as the game entered the 45th minute Chris Weber was tripped in the Yellow' area. Andrew, the match official, had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped the striker to send Nathan the wrong way, slotting the ball in at the keepers far post. Half time arrived and both teams soaked up the information from their managers. Mary for the Yellows, and Duncan & Jacob for the Hoops, the game at this point was anyone’s to take as it was evenly poised at 2-2.

Nicky Meta came close for the Yellows in the 49th minute, the Hoops hit the post five minutes later but it was the Yellows that capitalised on a sleeping Hoops defence to take the lead in the 57th minute. An unmarked Sule at the back post bagged his second of the game to make it 3-2.

Hoops keeper Nikoli then pulled off two decent saves to keep his team in the game before Gbolahan "Bola" Jimoh (returning from injury) lobbed Nathan at the other end to level things up on 61 minutes, 3-3. The Hoops then hit the crossbar four minutes later, Nathan well beaten.

As the game approached the last fifteen minutes the Hoops went down to ten men, David leaving the game with a groin injury. Nathan then pulled off a fantastic save to deny the Hoops in the 84th minute, then two minutes later the Yellows were down to ten men, Joshua Montella leaving the field (after also returning from long term injury).

Full time was approaching fast and if there was another goal then that would surely be the winner. The Hoops managerial duo were not happy with a draw and urged their team on for one last opportunity. And there was one last goal, in the 90th minute, indeed for the Hoops, Gbolahan Jimoh powering the ball past Nathan from 18 yards.

With two added minutes played the game was over. Yes it was only an in-house friendly but there was some impressive and competitive football played by all 22 players and it also kept them all sharp for the next league game.

But the action wasn’t over yet, as there was still time for a penalty shoot-out, why, well, why no?! It was Hoops keeper Nikoli that saved the day (quite literally) denying the Yellows twice from the spot. Hoops came out winners again, winning 4-2 on penalties. And that was that, all in all an exciting afternoon at the Menace Arena under the circumstances.

Please note, our next game against Fleetdown United on the 9th September has now been switched to an away game. So, please do not travel to the Menace Arena next week and also please keep an eye on our social media for any updates that may arise.