After months of waiting we were treated to an all-time classic final in torrential rain at the Artic Stadium, culminating in a nail-biting penalty shootout.

From the very start, the game was played at a high tempo with both teams having chances to score early. AFC Cubo had most of the possession early on, but Peckham looked dangerous on the counter, particularly through Jefroy Leslie, whose pace terrorised their defence all game.

It looked like Peckham had taken an early lead after Leslie danced past the Cubo defence and slotted in Marcus Black who beat the keeper from close range, but the goal was ruled offside.

AFC Cubo had their best chances midway through the first half with only heroic defending off the line preventing them from taking the lead. Minutes later they missed a one on one, shooting wide when it would have been easier to score.

This seemed to galvanise Peckham who responded by upping their intensity and creating some dangerous chances of their own. Early in the game Peckham were struggling to break down Cubo’s defence and create clear cut chances in the box. But we were having more luck from range with the captain Nicky Meta going close from 25 yards with a curled effort just over the bar with the keeper beaten.

Peckham were also looking threatening from the wings when a sublime cross from Meta was met by a powerful header from Charlie Egleton and tipped over the bar by the opposition keeper.

Going into the second half, there was everything to play for and fans hoping for a similar intensity to the previous 45 minutes were not disappointed.

Peckham started strongly, with a fair share of the possession and some good openings through set plays. The second half, like the first, was end-to-end with both teams demonstrating that the absence of regular fixtures had not compromised their quality on the pitch.

With the intensity on the pitch, it was no surprise that the number of fouls started to rack up and Peckham looked the more likely to find a breakthrough from free kicks, but these opportunities were not capitalised on.

Peckham continued to challenge from a distance with Meta and Leslie going close with long range efforts. At the other end, Cubo continued to threaten and were only thwarted by some outstanding goalkeeping by George Legg.

After a spell of pressure from Cubo in the Peckham half, the moment that Peckham fans were waiting for nearly happened. A lightning fast break saw Leslie run at the Cubo defence, dribbling past two defenders and producing a sublime chip over the keeper’s head which agonisingly bounced off the crossbar.

It was the chance of the half for the Menace and Peckham came under a sustained assault shortly after with only inspired defending and a lack of clinical edge preventing Cubo from taking the lead. After 90 minutes, nothing separated the two teams and the game headed into extra time.

After regaining the initiative after the break, it was Peckham’s turn to dominate and they were able to camp deep in Cubo’s half, producing consecutive corners. A rare break nearly saw Peckham’s hopes end in heart breaking fashion with George Legg making an exceptional save with his legs to prevent Cubo taking home the cup. In the last minute of extra time, it looked as if the game might be stolen cruelly from Peckham’s grasp. A quick break from Cubo saw Henry Chadwick through on goal but he put his shot over the crossbar.

After 120 minutes nothing could separate the teams in an absorbing but evenly matched contest. It could only end with penalties and what a classic shootout it was. As the rain became heavier, the players lined up with the chance to be the hero for their teams. Cubo were up first and the first penalty was placed just out of George Legg’s reach.

First up for Peckham was Jay Virgo who put his penalty away with authority, smashing the ball into the right hand corner. The hero of the final George Legg then made a fantastic save to parry Paul Maas’ penalty around the post.

Marcus Black then put Peckham ahead when he rifled his penalty into the top of the left-hand corner. Peckham’s moment looked like it had arrived when Cubo substitute Samuel Brooks skied his penalty over the bar. But Marco Alemedia’s penalty was saved by Cubo’s goalkeeper, who dived to his left.

With Cubo levelling at 2-2, the captain’s penalty was then caught by the keeper and when Cubo went 3-2 up, it looked as though Peckham’s dreams were over. Leslie kept the game alive for Peckham when he scored and when Cubo’s super sub Nicholas Chan put his penalty over the crossbar, they were right back in the game.

With both sides scoring their next penalty, Kevin Dance placing his penalty perfectly for Peckham in the right-hand corner, the moment of truth arrived. Cubo midfielder missed his penalty and substitute Tidian Barry put his penalty straight down the middle to set of scenes of celebration amongst the Peckham fans and players.

Mary Phillips, Peckham Town Manager, commented on the game saying ‘Like I said to the players today, you go out there and you enjoy the game. You’re going to make history because it’s the first time in Peckham Town’s history that a senior team has got to the London Senior Trophy Final and won it’.

Peckham Town: George Legg, Youseff Bouimane, Jay Virgo, Charles Egleton (Tidian Barry 98), Marco Alemedia, Elliot Hardisty, Nicky Meta (C), Norman Hong (David Gabor 50), Jeffroy Leslie, Marcus Black, Kevin Dance.
Subs: Archer Hill, Gary Martin, Joe Thomas
Booked: Charles Egleton 73 , Youseff Bouimane 77

AFC Cubo: Jack Hutchinson, Matthew Laing, Mitchell Seymour, Thomas Shaw (Nicholas Chan 120),Tim De La Haye, Marcus Torr, Matthew Cross, Harry Peel (Samuel Brooks 66), Henry Chadwick, Oliver Perkins (Barney Tierney 87), Paul Maas.
Subs: Robert Davies, Ryan Hulme
Booked: Thomas Shaw 51, Samuel Brooks 90