Peckham will be glad that October is now over, a month that saw them exit the London FA Cup on penalties, and take only one point from
three league games to boot. A win today would hopefully be the catalyst that could turn their season around and get them back to winning ways, but it certainly wasn’t all plain sailing for Mary Phillip’s team.

With several key players missing through suspension and injury this was another much changed Peckham team. Nelson Nunes started in goal with the returning Michael Agyemang slotting in at right back and Oreoluwa Majekodunmi at left back, in the centre of defence were Bamory Meite and Michael Desta. Raymond Agyemang, Jacob Kemp and Tidi Barry were the midfield three with captain Nicky Meta on the left wing, Camilo Andres Nieva on the right wing and James Armes starting up top. On the bench were Alejandro Llumigusin, Peter Tarrant, David Gabor and Mohamed Bah.

A trip to Gravesend was on the cards with Greenway Aces of the Kent Division One (C&E) the hosts in the second round of the IRCC Cup. With the possibilities of extra time and penalties, kick of was at the earlier time of 1.30pm. This would be a tough test for Peckham as it would be difficult to play a decent passing game on the very uneven pitch and this was evident as the hosts kicked off, the ball bobbling almost immediately. Peckham started strongly and could’ve taken the lead in the 4th minute. Camilo Andres Nieva whipped the ball from the right wing into the 6 yard box, finding the outstretched foot of James Armes 4 yards out. With so much pace on the cross the makeshift striker could only deflect the ball over the goal.

A minute later and the hosts took the lead, albeit in a somewhat controversial manner. Peckham were under no threat as Michael Desta squared the ball out to Oreoluwa Majekodunmi on the left but his touch was poor as the Greenways number 11 approached. The Peckham defender managed to touch the ball passed his opponent who then caught his trailing foot sending him crashing to the ground. Despite the appeals of a foul the game continued and the hosts number 8 picked up the loose ball and proceeded to head towards the Peckham area. He then crossed it from the by-line finding his teammate unmarked at the back post who took a touch before slotting it passed Nelson Nunes to make it one-nil on 5 minutes.

Conceding early shocked Peckham but it had a positive effect on Mary Phillip’s players who then began to dominate but just couldn’t find a way through. Tidi Barry shot inches wide in the 11th minute and it took a goal line clearance and a point blank save from a Greenway defender and their keeper respectively four minutes later to deny Peckham their equaliser. The Greenways keeper made another decent save in the 21st minute after Raymond Agyemang unleashed a thunderbolt from 25 yards out before Camilo Andres Nieva shot over two minutes later. Peckham finally got their equaliser just before the half hour mark, Nicky Meta sent the ball deep into the six yard box from the left wing and James Armes was on hand to head it hard and low at the keeper, who got a slight touch with his feet but it wasn’t enough to keep the ball out.

Peckham’s only booking of the game came in the 35th minute as Michael Desta had his name taken for a late challenge. This booking had a slight impact on the next goal as the hosts regained the lead two minutes later. Captain Nicky Meta lost possession of the ball just inside the Greenways half and it then found its way to their number 11 just inside Peckham’s half. He immediately sent a diagonal ball across the field towards their number nine and the recently booked Peckham defender. With Nelson Nunes racing out of his goal and the Peckham defender in two minds as to whether he should make a tackle and risk a second yellow, the Greenways striker lifted the ball over the keeper and into the goal to make it 2-1. Half time came after two added minutes and Peckham had it all to do in the second half.

Whatever Mary Phillip said during the break certainly had a profound effect on her players as they took control of the game in the second half. The Peckham manger made a double change in the 56th minute, Peter Tarrant replaced Tidi Barry and David Gabor replacing James Armes. Their introduction had an immediate effect as three minutes later Peckham were level. Peter Tarrant volleyed the ball from just inside the centre circle which found Camilo Andres Nieva out on the left wing. He played the ball into David Gabor deep inside the Greenways area who then cut the ball back out to Raymond Agyemang on the edge of the 18 yard box, but he just couldn’t find a way through. The ball eventually fell to Jacob Kemp 18 yards from goal who took a touch before lifting it over two defenders and into the goal to make it 2-2 on 58 minutes.

Six minutes later and Peckham were ahead for the first time as David Gabor powered home from 5 yards to make it 3-2 after Greenways struggled to clear a Nicky Meta corner. Mary Phillip’s side then doubled their lead in the 69th minute as Nicky Meta collected a diagonal ball from the left before shooting across the keeper and into the bottom left hand corner of the goal to make it 4-2. With just under twenty minutes of normal time remaining Alejandro Llumigusin replaced Oreoluwa Majekodunmi with the skipper dropping into the left back position. A minute later and the hosts had a life line, attacking down the right, the ball was powered across the 18 yard box and into the bottom left hand corner of Nelson Nunes’ goal, making it 4-3 setting up a final thrilling fifteen minutes or so to play.

Peckham’s final change saw Mohamed Bah replace Camilo Andres Nieva, and with some more fresh legs in attack Mary Phillip’s intent was to put the game to bed. This almost came in the 80th minute after a great run from Michael Agyemang from inside his own half. Playing a quick one-two with Alejandro Llumigusin the full back continued his run down the right wing and into the Greenways where again he played another one-two with the Peckham substitute inside the area. The full back took a couple of touches before poking it with his right boot towards the goal only to see it go inches wide.

The game was finally put to bed five minutes later with probably the best goal of the game, a 30 yard left foot screamer from Raymond Agymang. Nicky Meta sent the ball into the area from the left which found Alejandro Llumigusin by the penalty spot. With nowhere to go the winger played it back out to the midfielder who took a couple of touches before striking it with his left peg into the top right hand corner of the goal to make it 5-3. With an additional six minutes played the official finally blew for full time.

This was a hard fought game against a decent team from the division below, who I might add should be proud of their performance despite their loss. They gave Peckham a good run for their money and hopefully they can carry that into their league games as they certainly wouldn’t look out of place in the Kent Premier League. Also I cannot fail to mention today’s official, who without ‘official’ assistants had a great game considering. But this is really all about Peckham’s resilience in getting back into the game and going on to win and progressing into the next round. This was a much needed win, and hopefully one that can kick start their season again after a difficult October and see them get back to winning ways in the league once again. This will be put to the test next week when we return to league action away at fourth placed Stansfeld O&B. Kick off is at 2pm and, as always, keep an eye on our socials for all the information.

Peckham Town FC (4-3-3). Nelson Nunes; Michael Agyemang, Bamory Meite, Michael Desta, Oreoluwa Majekodunmi; Jacob Kemp, Raymond Agyemang, Tidi Barry; Camilo Andres Nieva, James Armes, Nicky Meta (c).
Subs. Peter Tarrant (on for Tidi Barry 56’), David Gabor (on for James Armes 56’), Alejandro Llumigusi (on for Oreoluwa Majekodunmi 71’) & Mohamed Bah (on for Camilo Andres Nieva 75’).