PECKHAM ON THE ROPES AS BRIDON WIN COMFORTABLY

With the temperatures soaring once again, and the opponents from a higher league, this would certainly be a tough game for the Menace. Throw into the mix a match day squad of fourteen that included six trialists, it was always going to be a big ask.

Peckham got off to a good start winning a corner in the 4th minute. Nicky Meta sent in a low ball to the near post but the resulting shot went high over the goal. Four minutes later it was Bridon's turn to try and get something from a corner. The ball was lofted high into the 6 yard box, but Elton Romaku, deputising between the sticks, punched clear. From then on the visitors turned it up a gear and Peckham were on the back foot. In the 14th minute the visitors were awarded a free kick for a late challenge just outside the Peckham area. Thankfully Elton Romaku had positioned his defensive wall just right as the ball ricocheted off one of the defending players and was cleared.

The visitors continued to press forward and eventually got their reward on the 17th minute. The ball was played through the middle, and although the attacking player looked suspiciously offside, he slotted home past the advancing Menace stopper. Following the restart, Peckham almost equalised within a minute. Jacob Kemp shot inches wide, then moments later Hamid Bangura also shot wide. The game paused in the 24th minute to enable all involved to take on some much needed water, and also time for some tactical intervention from both managers.

The game resumed three minutes later, but it was clear which team was in control. Peckham were struggling to keep the ball, and the visitors almost doubled their lead on 31 minutes but the ball was always rising, thankfully. The visitors almost scored on 41 minutes as a shot hit the post, when it was easier to score, but luckily it fell kindly for Elton Romaku and he gathered the ball. Another warning for the Menace!!
As the game entered added time Peckham pushed forward, a chance going wide on 45+1. They had another chance to equalise in the second added minute when a free kick was awarded 25 yards out. However, like the visitors' attempt earlier, the ball struck the wall and was cleared. Bridon countered and eventually doubled their lead in the 3rd added minute.

Mary opted for two changes for the second half, two Trialists replacing two other Trialists. However, the second half didn’t start well and Mary’s team found themselves 3-0 down within 2 minutes of the restar, as the ball was kicked high into the goal by a retreating Trialist for an own goal. Within another 2 minutes a Trialist and Tidi Barry were replaced by another Trialist and Joe Thomas. There was a short break in play as a familiar face went down injured. Former Peckham left back, Mustafa Hashemi, now at Bridon, left the field with a slight knock.

The visitors kept pushing forward and were awarded a free kick on 58 minutes, sandwiched between two Trialist swaps from Mary. The free kick was hit high into the Menace area, and as Elton Romaku punched clear, he was clearly fouled by a late challenge. Visibly winded from said challenge, he composed himself and was fine to continue. Again the second half was paused like the first for a water break. Play resumed 2 minutes later in the 73rd minute. Within two minutes of the restart Mary was forced to make another change as one of the Trialist limped off, his replacement of course being A. Trialist!

There was no let up for Peckham. The visitors were nearly gifted number four when a slip at the back gave the ball away. Luckily the through ball was played just too late and the assistants flag went up. The fourth and final goal came in the 81st minute. Bridon were awarded a corner which was taken perfectly and was headed home without a challenge, Elton Romaku had no chance.

The game entered added time, and there would be 6 minutes still to play. Surprisingly Peckham turned it up a gear, and were it not for better finishing could have got on the scores sheet a couple of times. However, it wasn’t to be, and the official finally brought the game to a close. Although at this point of the season the result doesn’t really matter, as it's about gaining that match fitness, the performance was disappointing. Maybe this was down to the heat and the personnel not available. Hopefully next week we will see a different Peckham.

Peckham Town (4-4-2) from: Elton Romaku (GK), Fidele Kassindi, Joe Thomas, Tidi Barry, Nicky Meta (c), Hamid Bangura, Jacob Kemp, Yusuf Dahir & six Trialists