Five Things We Learned From Peckham's Rousing Win

1. Anticipation Can Be Excitement Enough

Reading up on the form of today’s visitors, New Romney, on the way to the game was a thrill in itself. Two wins and a draw from their first four games was a promising start to the season; but the following six games produced two draws and four losses, including 8-2, 8-3 and 6-1 shellackings at the hands of Ashford, Kent United and Stansfeld. Something of a Curate’s egg of a season, then. Excluding those games, Romney had a positive goal difference, and could arguably pose a threat to a Peckham side that had conceded two or more goals in each of their last seven League games… but equally, the home side’s recent scoring form (11 in the last three matches) would likely threaten a defence seemingly prone to falling apart when the going gets tough.

Peckham went into the game with a strong and settled front five, with Weber and Dowding up front supported by Nieva and Suleman on the wings and Kemp at the tip of a midfield diamond. When Nicky Meta (playing left back) is your sixth most-likely scorer, one thing you can say with certainty is that you have goals in your team. The Menace faithful were licking their lips as kick-off approached...

2. A Fast Start Has The Opposition Panting

Kieran Dowding had won the three points for Peckham in their midweek derby away at Bermondsey Town, surging through a tired defence to slot the winner in the 97th minute, after his side had squandered a one man and two goal advantage. He started the game with the same energy and determination, and it was no surprise to see him slotting another just three minutes form the off in what was a wonderfully worked goal. Suleman cut in from the left and ran at an angle towards the New Romney goal, before slotting a cheeky pass through to Dowding, running in behind him. Peckham's leading scorer finished first time beyond the despairing keeper.

Peckham's second, 20 minutes later, was just as slick, a combination of Kemp and Dowding winning the ball high on the right, with the latter feeding Weber centrally some 25 yards out. His turn and pass with back to goal for Yacoub Suleman rushing in from the left was inch perfect, the Peckham winger sweeping a shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards out. The interplay and understanding on display between midfield and attack was in evidence all game, aided by a playing surface in excellent condition given extra juice after an early afternoon shower. Peckham have developed a real threat going forward this season - no side has scored more than their 26 league goals - and they are a delight to watch when linking up as they did today.

3. It's Tighter At the Back But Still No Clean Sheet

The tenth League match of the campaign (are we really one third through already? sigh...) saw Peckham use their fourth keeper. Making his debut for the Menace was Ross Jefferies, formerly of Hinckley AFC, playing behind a back four that saw Jordan James come in for Michael Agyemang at right back, with Omar, Duah Danso and Meta keeping their places from Tuesday's win. In truth, he didn't have a great deal to do, and he could not be faulted for the New Romney equaliser which came on the ninth minute and which originated, as so many opposition goals have this season, from a set piece. A New Romney corner came in, the Menace defence rushed en masse to the near post, gifting the opposition a free header at the back post six yards out which was duly converted.

Peckham have now conceded 21 League goals this season, but this was the first time in eight games in all competitions that the Menace limited it to just the one opposition goal. After that early leveler, Jefferies acquitted himself well, coming off his line to sweep up the occasional ball in behind and distributing accurately (and far!). Perhaps a first clean sheet of the season is around the corner?

4. Peckham Pour It On Late To Ensure The Happy Ending

Switching ends 2-1 to the good, Peckham started the second half brightly, but New Romney were also determined to get something from the contest. The first 20 minutes of the half was breathless, end-to-end stuff, which made for highly watchable if nerve-wracking entertainment. However, it was Peckham who emerged on top, as Jacob Kemp scored a lovely effort to give the home side a two goal cushion. Two minutes earlier he had blazed a chance over and wide when trying to find the top corner of the net from the edge of the area on the left; this time, he cut back inside his marker and placed a low shot inside the near post that the keeper couldn't get back across to keep out.

Peckham added two more on 78 and 81 minutes. The latter was a header by Chris Weber from a couple of yards after the New Romney keeper had produced a miraculous save to deny Omar, seemingly clawing the defender's bullet header back from yards past him; however, it fell to Weber who completed the scoring. The fourth goal came after Kemp and Meta worked a short corner; Kemp's pass found Nicky Meta on the left corner edge of the box from where he chipped the keeper first time - a beautiful goal from an artist of a player, though helped a little perhaps by the defender and the low sun unsighting the New Romney goalie.

5. Hugs And Smiles As We All Bathe In The Autumnal Afterglow

It happens so often, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't mention it because it's not every set of players who do it and it's not every side that strives to create such a bond with their fans. On the final whistle, the Peckham players went to all sides of the crowd to thank the 140 people who had come out to see them in the crisp autumn sunshine that we enjoyed between pre- and post-match showers. The gesture was returned with warm applause by the fans, who stayed to cheer a superb display that sees Peckham consolidate sixth place, just three points behind Hawkinge Town in second. After the fourth goal, the players had queued up to pose for commemorative photos from the Brixton Buzz's champion of non-league reporting - albeit that his attention did need to be diverted away from a nearby divot. I can't help thinking it's this enthusiasm by the team to reach out beyond the touchlines that sees so many fans return to the Menace Arena, swelling attendances to League highs season after season.

If you want to be part of the next match, then Peckham Town host Snodland Reserves in the League Cup next Saturday (21st October). Kick off is 215pm, and entertainment is guaranteed!