NEW ROMNEY DERAILED BY PECKHAM PROWESS

A great Nicky Meta strike, a ‘worldie’ from Hassan Omar and a late Chris Weber goal secured all three points for Mary Phillip’s Peckham. A long trip down to the Kent coast was today’s destination and with several players unavailable the Peckham manger had a match day squad of 14. Nathan Gamester returned in goal with an unchanged defence from last weeks win in front of him. Hassan Omar started at right back with Adam Carrick at left back, Fareid Yassein and Jeremiah Duah Danso in the centre. In a change of formation Peter Tarrant started behind the midfield four of Raymond Agyemang, Jacob Kemp, Tidi Barry and captain Nicky Meta. Kieran Dowding started as the lone striker. On the bench were Chris Weber, Nosa Obaguedo and Rashane Wilson.

Peckham got the game underway and soon showed their intent when a Tidi Barry strike on five minutes brought out a decent save from the New Romney keeper. The resulting corner was cleared but only as far as Fareid Yassein whose cheeky 30 yard effort brought out another decent finger tipped save from the New Romney keeper. Peckham continued to put pressure on their hosts so it was no surprise when the deadlock was broken on 11 minutes. Peter Tarrant did well to win the ball some 25 yards from his own goal before Jacob Kemp found Kieran Dowding in the centre circle. The winger-cum-striker shrugged of a couple of challenges before playing a through ball to find Nicky Meta out on the left. Aware of the advancing keeper the Menace skipper took a touch before slotting it home in the far corner of the goal to make 1-0.

The hosts were then almost gifted an equaliser on 16 minutes but thankfully the New Romney number 7 hit his effort just over the Peckham goal as Nathan Gamester scrambled to get back between the sticks. Both teams continued to threaten but Peckham’s defence, protected by Peter Tarrant, stood firm. The turning point of the first half came on the half hour mark when the hosts were temporarily reduced to ten men. In a battle for the ball with Jeremiah Duah Danso and then Fareid Yassein the New Romney number 9 thought he had been impeded but the official awarded Peckham the free kick. Upset at the decision he obviously voiced his opinion and earned himself ten minutes in the sin bin. Within two minutes Peckham were ahead by another contender for goal of the season.

Adam Carrick took a throw in over on the far side and opted to throw it to Raymond Agyemang rather than deep into the penalty area. Struggling to shake off his marker the Peckham winger eventually had enough space to attempt a cross but it only found the head of a New Romney defender sending it spinning high into the air. Seeing it may come his way, Hassan Omar tee’d himself up to strike. The ball bounced kindly and the Peckham right back hit it on the half volley with his left peg sending it into the top right hand corner of the goal to make it 2-0 on 32 minutes.

Peckham were now firmly in control and when the hosts were back to eleven men that didn’t change. As half time approached there were concerns when Adam Carrick went down with a head injury in the 44 th minute. After some lengthy treatment he was fine to see out the four added minutes in the first half.

Mary Phillip’s team talk was quite simple, rather than sit back and protect their lead, play the second half as if her team were two nil down. With no changes the hosts kicked off the second half and they came out of the blocks full steam ahead. Winning a free kick on the edge of the Peckham area in the 52 nd minute they were faced with a real chance of getting back into the game. However the Peckham wall had other ideas but the threat wasn’t over just yet. Captain Nicky Meta was called upon to defend and in the process went down with a head injury as he
headed clear. The official was forced to stop the game as it was obvious the skipper needed treatment. After three minutes he was eventually up on his feet, much to the relief of the entire Peckham contingent.

Three minutes later and it was the Peckham skipper who had a great chance to make it three just before the hour mark. The chance came after an Adam Carrick free kick from inside his own half was sent deep out to the right wing to find Hassan Omar. He played the ball back to Raymond Agyemang who sent the ball into the New Romney area for Kieran Dowding to nod on and past the retreating defenders. With the goal at his mercy the Peckham skipper looked destined to bag his brace but he dragged his effort wide of the goal. Two minutes later and Adam Carrick required more treatment after the New Romney number 2 caught him with a very late challenge, earning himself a yellow card. Three minutes later and it was the same New Romney player who got his team back into the game, tapping home at the back post to make it 2-1 on 63 minutes.

Sensing they could perhaps get something out of this game they began to throw everything forward at every chance they had but not before Nicky Meta was replaced by Rashane Wilson on 65 minutes. Peckham’s first booking of the game came a minute later after Hassan Omar’s tackle was deemed a bit late by the official. Peckham continued to defend well but when the hosts countered in the 75th minute Raymond Agyemang took one for the team and went into the officials book, his last action of the game as Chris Weber then came on to replace him.

Peckham began to dig deep thwarting every attempt by the hosts as they threw numbers forward. As the game entered the final ten minutes
their number 15 was lucky only to receive a yellow card for a high challenge on Peter Tarrant which left him requiring lengthy treatment. Thankfully the versatile Peckham player was ok to continue.

With five minutes of the 90 remaining a further two Peckham players went into the officials book, Tidi Barry for a late challenge and Rashane Wilson for bringing down a New Romney player off of the ball in the build up to their attack. The game now entered added time and the assistant indicated that the official would play at least a further 9 minutes. Mary Phillip’s made her final change with two added minutes on the clock, Nosa Obaguedo replacing Tidi Barry.

Time was fast running out for the hosts but they just could find a way through a resilient Peckham defence no matter what they threw at them. With 5 added minutes played, Peter Tarrant again did well to win the ball just inside his own half. The ball then found Kieran Dowding who hit it down the wing before giving chase. As the winger and a New Romney defender battled to get the ball the Peckham man beat the defender and spotted the run through the middle of Chris Weber. Plying an inch perfect ball into the striker, he took a touch before placing it into the New Romney goal from 15 yards to make it 3-1 and game over.

With a further 5 added minutes played the game was over with Peckham deserved winners. Every Peckham player gave 110% and several of them could have taken the King of the Match award. However there was one player who just stood out from the rest to take that accolade, and that was Peter Tarrant. The win saw Peckham leapfrog their opponents in the league and they now sit in 10th place on 24 points having played 16 games. Next week Peckham face 2 nd from bottom Bexley in their first of three games at the Menace Arena.

Peckham Town FC (4-1-4-1): Nathan Gamester; Hassan Omar, Fareid Yassein, Jeremiah Duah Danso, Adam Carrick; Peter Tarrant; Raymond Agyemang, Jacob Kemp, Tidi Barry, Nicky Meta (c); Kieran Dowding.
Subs. Rashane Wilson (on for Nicky Meta), Chris Weber (on for Raymond Agyemang); Nosa Obaguedo (on for Tidi Barry).