A spectacular hat-trick in just twenty-two minutes off the bench from recently-arrived ex-Dulwich Hamlet striker Klajdi Cani completed a come-from-behind victory for Peckham Town in glorious sunshine at Crockenhill on Saturday.

Peckham made the brighter start, with Yaya Barry’s movement up front causing problems for the Crockenhill defence. However it was the Crocks, relegated last season from the Southern Counties East Football League, who had the ball in the Peckham net after a quarter of an hour; but the linesman’s flag kept the scores even. Minutes later, Peckham weren’t so fortunate, as a low cross was buried at the near post by Crockenhill’s No.14 to open the scoring for the hosts.

Things went much more the visitors’ way on the half hour mark, as hard work pressuring the home defence by Hady Traore led to a corner, which was whipped by Nicky Meta in to the net with the goalkeeper helpless.

Peckham began the second half strongly, with Gareth Jones going close from a cutback, and then again from his own rapid break. It was Crockenhill that nudged ahead however, as they benefitted from a goalkeeper error to take a 2-1 lead. Peckham rallied, determined not to be beaten on their first visit to Wested Meadow, and attacking the goal with their travelling support behind it, began to take a hold on the game. Barry was rewarded for his efforts leading the line, heading in a looping cross to level the scores once again.

Peckham hit the woodwork twice within a minute, before their constant pressure and the introduction of Cani put the game beyond Crockenhill. A wonderful solo goal gave Peckham their first lead of the game, before a left-footed finish by Cani across the keeper ensured all three points would return to South East London. Finally, Cani chased a seemingly lost cause against a demoralised Crocks defence, which gave him his third and Peckham their fifth.

Team (4-2-3-1): Paul Agu; Adam Tarrant, Hiram Laud Anderson, Alfie Bell, Hady Traore; Lukmon Mojeed (C), Alli Amisu; Kevin Dance, Gareth Jones, Nicky Meta; Yaya Barry
Substitutes: Benson Aderibigbe, Youssef Bouimane, Klajdi Cani