Two second half headers four minutes apart by super sub Joshua Oduwuga sealed another three points for Peckham as they came from behind and go top of the league on goal difference. Once again manager Mary Phillip had the luxury of naming an unchanged starting XI for the seventh game running. Again Nelson Nunes started in goal with Clayton Ryan, Patrick Yawson, Jeremiah Duah Danso and captain Nicky Meta the back four. Raymond Agyemang, Tidi Barry and Femi Cole were the midfield trio with Camilo Andres Nieva, Gabriel Gomes Souto and Eric Alhassan the front three. The only change to the squad saw Anass Ashraf return on the subs bench alongside Chisom Nnadika, Nathan Chris, Abdelrahman Delilache and Josh Oduwuga.

Prior to kick off there was a surprise in store for manger Mary Phillip and her squad as they were presented with a certificate and trophy having won the Kent County Football League team of the month award for October. After winning all four of their games in October and tucking away a total of 20 goals and conceding only four for their troubles, it was a no-brainer that they won!!

On an unseasonably warm but grey and miserable November afternoon, Peckham got the game underway kicking up the gradient. They started the better team playing some decent passing football and almost got an early reward four minutes in. With the hosts struggling to clear the ball it fell to Raymond Agyemang twenty yards out and hitting it first time with his left boot, the ball sailed inches past the near post. As the half progressed neither keeper had really been tested with both teams clearly forgetting their shooting boots. Peckham did have another decent opportunity to open the scoring just after the half hour mark but Camilo Andres Nieva’s left footed effort from just outside the Bromelain’s area passed inches over the crossbar. No surprise that the fist half finished goalless.

It wasn’t a bad first half of football, chances were being created by both teams but the finishing touches were missing in the final third. Hopefully that would change as the hosts got the second half underway and it didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken. Within two minutes of the restart the hosts took the lead after some good work down their right flank. The ball was crossed into the Peckham area and with no defenders spotting the run of the Bromelain’s number 16 he tapped the ball home passed the helpless Nelson Nunes from 6 yards out.

Within two minutes of going behind Mary Phillip made her first change, Gabriel Gomes Souto making way for Joshua Oduwuga on 49 minutes. This was the first of three changes that completely changed the dynamic of the game as Peckham finally took control but not before a heart in mouth moment for Nelson Nunes on 51 minutes. As the hosts attacked the Peckham keeper came off his line diving feet first at the ball and the Bromelain’s number 7. Whilst he made minimal contact with the player, the official noted captain Nicky Meta’s protests that there was a covering defender and only a yellow card was shown!

Manger Mary Phillip made a further two changes, Abdelrahman Delilache replaced Nicky Meta on 56 minutes before Jeremiah Duah Danso took a knock and was replaced by Anass Ashraf on 62 minutes. This meant a slight reshuffle as Femi Cole moved into the centre of defence with Anass Ashraf into the midfield. The hosts began to struggle as the two Peckham substitutes dominated the left wing and began to cause their back four problems. As the game approached the final twenty minutes Peckham won a throw in on the near side down by the corner flag. Eric Alhassan took the throw quickly and found Abdelrahman Delilache on the left flank. The Peckham substitute took a touch before sending a looping ball towards the back post. It was inch perfect as Joshua Oduwuga out jumped his marker and nodded the ball over the outstretched keeper and into the net making it one all on 68 minutes.

The hosts looked demoralised and Peckham took advantage whilst their heads were down and within four minutes they were ahead. Peckham attacked down the right wing, Camilo Andres Nieva found Clayton Ryan on the overlap and as the full back teed himself up to cross the ball the Bromelain’s number four lunged in for the tackle bringing the Peckham man down. The official gave a free kick which Anass Ashraf sent towards the back post and once again Joshua Oduwuga out jumped his marker and nodded the ball home at the far post making it 2-1 to Peckham with 72 minutes played. Three minutes later and the hosts keeper made a decent save to deny Camilo Andres Nieva a goal after Eric Alhassan crossed the ball across the area from the left wing.

As 90 minutes approached Peckham were forced into another change as Anass Ashraf pulled up and was replaced by Nicky Meta on 86 minutes. Two minutes later Nathan Chris replaced Camilo Andres Nieva and the Peckham substitute will be wondering how he didn’t make it 3-1 a minute after his introduction. Eric Alhassan saw his close range effort saved but the ball fell to the feet of the Peckham substitute 4 yards out but under pressure he sent it high over the Bromelain’s goal. One final change saw Chisom Nnadika replace Eric Alhassan on the 89th minute but by then Peckham had done enough to see out the game.

It was another true grit performance from Mary Phillip’s team in which they had to dig in deep at times but still managed to grind out another win. King of the Match could have gone to several players but was awarded to the super sub Joshua Oduwuga for his two goals. This result took Peckham to the top of the table, and after a long wait for the result to come in, saw them stay there on goal defence after Equinoccial drew a blank against Ide Hill. Whilst Peckham have played more games than the teams immediately below them, it definitely sends out a statement of intent and one that probably shouldn’t be ignored. Next week we welcome South East Athletic to the Menace Arena and would really appreciate your support too. As always please keep an eye on our socials for all the details.

Peckham Town FC (4-1-2-3). Nelson Nunes; Clayton Ryan, Patrick Yawson, Jeremiah Duah Danso, Nicky Meta (c); Raymond Agyemang; Femi Cole, Tidi Barry; Camilo Andres Nieva, Gabriel Gomes Souto, Eric Alhassan.
Subs. Joshua Oduwuga (on for Gabriel Gomes Souto 48’), Abdelrahman Delilache (on for Nicky Meta 56’), Anass Ashraf (on for Jeremiah Duah Danso 62’), Nicky Meta (back on for Anass Ashraf 86’), Nathan Chris (on for Camilo Andres Nieva 88’) & Chisom Nnadika (on for Eric Alhassan 89’).