“Well, that’s it” as the live “X” feed summed up, not only this game but Peckham’s season. I’ll try to keep this report as brief as I can as I’ve started this at 7.15am on Wednesday morning and will continue to add bits throughout the day whilst at work.

So, finally after three postponements the “home” game against Minster finally went ahead. I say “home” game loosely as, despite a big handful of Menace faithful turning up, it was only a home game on paper. The venue was the 3g pitch adjacent to Dartford FC’s Princes Park stadium, not a venue Peckham would have, or did choose. Manager Mary Phillip could not make the fixture which meant assistant Manager Bryan Hall would take charge.
It was evident an hour before kick off the omens were against Peckham as the opponents nabbed the only
remaining space left on the pitch to warm up, (2 kids training sessions in full swing).

Then as the 8.15pm kick off approached only one goal was in place, with the other goal near the dugouts and several smaller goals scattered across the pitch. Needless to say the Peckham contingent and match officials began to clear the pitch and then came a call from the opposition bench to the match official and or the Peckham bench to ‘turn the lights on’. The bemused Peckham bench then pointed out that as this isn’t their ground and that they had no idea how!

Kick of was five minutes late, remember this as it is crucial to the way the game ended. Peckham lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Nathan Gamester in goal, Raymond Agyemang returned to right back allowing Hassan Omar to start at left back. Jeremiah Duah Danso returned to partner Fareid Yassein in central defence. Tidi Barry and Joe Thomas formed the midfield duo with captain Nicky Meta on the left and Mohamed Bah starting on the right. Kieren Dowding started up front along side Rashane Wilson, on the bench were Chris Weber, Elton Romaku, Sampson Ofori and Peter Tarrant.

Minster kicked off and within the first three minutes it could easily have been 1-1. With two minutes played, just, Kieran Dowding whipped a cross into the Minster Area and all that was needed was contact from a toe and it would’ve been in! A minute later and the visitors hit the post, the rebound falling kindly to another Minster player who’s shot didn’t fall so kindly for Hassan Omar, if you get me. Five minutes later and Minster were ahead, the unfortunate Jeremiah Duah Danso turning a cross into his own net in an attempt to clear. Remember them omens from earlier....

Both teams were creating chances and Tidi Barry had a great chance to level on 15 minutes but his header went high and wide. With 28 minutes played Nathan Gamester was clattered to the ground as he claimed a cross in his 6 yard box. Despite not opting to receive any treatment it was evident that he had been injured but after a minute to compose himself the game continued. Two minutes later the visitors doubled their lead, the Menace stopper did well to get down to his far post to save a shot from 20 yards out but the rebound fell to a Minster player who slotted the ball home. Captain Nicky Meta then went into the book for what was deemed a late tackle on 35 minutes before a Tidi Barry shot was easily saved on 40 minutes. The game then entered added time and the official immediately blew for half time.

Peckham found themselves going in 2-0 down at the break, they hadn’t played badly, the opposition had just played better. Bryan Hall opted for no changes before the restart and Peckham got the second half underway. Now, cast your mind back to the beginning of my report and you may recall me mentioning the omens, well this half they wreaked havoc on Peckham. On 65 minutes Fareid Yassein seemed under no
pressure and attempted a cross field pass just outside the Peckham area. This was easily intercepted by the Minster forward and with the now limping Nathan Gamester out of position he then proceeded to put the ball into am empty goal to make it 3-0.

Three minutes later Bryan Hall opted for a quadruple change which saw Elton Romaku, Chris Weber, Sampson Ofori and Peter Tarrant replace Hassan Omar, Rashane Wilson, Mohamed Bah and Tidi Barry respectively. The omens were still out in force when Sampson Ofori was brought down on the corner of the Minster area. The official blew his whistle and Peckham were bracing themselves for the start of a dramatic come back from the penalty spot. The official and his assistant had other ideas and awarded a free kick some 2 yards outside the area despite the
protests from the Peckham players, bench and supporters. The resulting kick taken by Raymond Agyemang then rattled off the Minster crossbar and was cleared to safety.

Cue the omens to finish the game, as a minute later Minster broke the offside trap and scored again to make it 4-0. But they weren’t finished yet, as two minutes later it was 5-0. The game entered the final ten minutes and on 83 minutes Minster finished their goal scoring rout to make it 6-0. Captain Nicky Meta hit the bar on 86 minutes but as the game was close to entering the 90 th minute the floodlights went out on the
stadium and on Peckham’s season as the match official found his whistle in the darkness and blew to end the game.

Those pesky omens had it on for Peckham, not just tonight but the entire season. My colleague Dom summed this up quite well in the Ashford match report, and I quote:
“The season has been a frustrating one in many ways, the team for so long looking a set of disjointed parts, albeit with glimpses of real promise. Rhythm has been denied by them rafts of injuries and countless postponements, as the worst winter in living memory (certainly in my four year old’s living memory anyway) wreaked havoc with the fixture list”.
I am inclined to agree with his summary, as right from the off way back in August the level of rain right through this season has been
unprecedented.

So, that’s it. The season is now finally over and one can only hope (and I’m sure it will be) that next season turns out to be better, a lot better (omens if you are listening, please pick on someone else)! However, there is still one more Saturday for you to visit the Menace Arena when the club will be holding their awards ceremony (date to be confirmed). Also there will be the goal of the season to look out for too so keep am eye on our socials for information on both of those. So for now, from me and everyone at Peckham Town FC, have a great summer.

Peckham Town FC (4-4-2). Nathan Gamester; Agyemang, Fareid Yassein, Jeremiah Duah Danso, Hassan Omar; Mohamed Bah, Tidi Barry, Joe Thomas, Nicky Meta (c); Rashane Wilson, Kieran Dowding.
Subs. Elton Romaku (on for Hassan Omar), Chris Weber (on for Rashane Wilson, Sampson Ofori (on for Mohamed Bah) & Peter Tarrant (on for Tidi Barry).