It took a dramatic James Armes equaliser deep in added time to earn Peckham a well deserved point. Peckham’s recent run of good form kept their survival hopes alive in a feisty game against Snodland Town Reserves.

Nelson Nunes continued in goal with Michael Desta at right back, Hassan Omar at left back and Ismaila Doumbia and Jeremiah Duah Danso in the centre of defence. Raymond and Michael Agyemang were the two central midfielders with Camilo Andres Nieva on the right of the midfield and captain Nicky Meta on the left. Jacob Kemp returned to start up front alongside Evaristo Mendes. On the bench were Tidi Barry, Jude Harris, Whizz Ettinger, James Armes and Reece Walters.

Peckham won the toss and opted to kick off uphill but soon found themselves in front after Evaristo Mendes capitalised on a poor back pass from the hosts number 3. Under pressure from their number 4 he won the ball before hitting it across the goal and in off the far post with barely two minutes played.

They almost had a second five minutes later after the hosts won a corner over on the far side. Jeremiah Duah Danso headed the ball clear at the near post and as the corner taker ran to retrieve it, Evaristo Mendes came out of nowhere and snatched it away. He played it into Jacob Kemp who ran towards goal with only Camilo Andres Nieva ahead of him out on the left. Both Peckham men were heavily outnumbered, 6 to 2, but the midfielder found his counterpart out on the wing. The Peckham midfielder continued his run into the area and as the cross from Camilo Andres Nieva came in, it was just behind him, and Jacob Kemp headed it inches wide.

A minute later and Jeremiah Duah Danso’s last second touch took the ball away from the hosts number 11 as he was about to pull the trigger from 8 yards. Again, Peckham were defending well but the game took a bit of a twist just before the 15 minute mark. Hassan Omar took a throw over on the far side and received the ball back from Michael Agyemang. As the defender played the ball forward he was caught very late by a high boot from the hosts number 8 just below his knee and went down in some discomfort. The Snodland player went into the book but as the Peckham man received treatment he was in some disbelief that it wasn’t a red.

It was at this point that, reading the situation, manager Mary Phillip opted to substitute the player and Jude Harris entered the game. The game had still not restarted and what followed is a bit unclear but some actions from the home bench only exacerbated the situation and the official then showed the Peckham defender two yellow cards and a red giving him his marching orders. His replacement also went into the book before the game eventually restarted with a Peckham free kick some seven minutes later.

The long delay took the momentum out of Peckham’s game and with 28 minutes on the clock the hosts were level. Winning a free kick just inside the Peckham half the ball was launched towards the back post. As a melee of players jumped towards the ball the hosts number 8, possibly still lucky to be on the pitch, ran through the crowd and onto he ball tapping it past the helpless Nelson Nunes to level the game.

Peckham persevered and began to find their rhythm again and continued to look dangerous every time they attacked. Both teams were defending well and the frustration began to show when captain Nicky Meta went into the book for a cynical foul off the ball in the 42nd minute. As the first half entered added time Peckham won a free kick in a promising position on the edge of the hosts area. Michael Agyemang stepped up to take and curled it around the two man wall but the hosts keeper was equal to it and made the save. Evaristo Mendes pounced to square the loose ball but it evaded every one inside the six yard box and the danger was gone. Eventually after nine added minutes the first half was over, and this was still anyone’s game.

The second half would have a lot to live up to if it was going to be as entertaining as the first, and it was. Again both teams continued to create chances but neither could find the finishing touches. That was until the hosts won a corner on the hour mark after a decent save from Nelson Nunes denied their number 9. The ball was sent into the 6 yard area and no-one picked up the run of the hosts number 7 who headed the ball home from 5 yards to make it 2-1 to Snodland. Peckham heads could have easily dropped at this point but they continued to search for a way back into the game.

Manager Mary Phillip opted for a double change on 67 minutes that saw Tidi Barry and Reece Walters replace Michael Agyemang and Evaristo Mendes respectively. Some much needed fresh legs for a very heavy pitch. With just under 15 minutes of normal time remaining, super sub James Armes was introduced to the action with Camilo Andres Nieva making way. Captain Nicky Meta was now driving his team on, knowing that defeat was not an option and that his team deserved at least a point. The chances kept coming for Peckham but they still couldn’t find a way through.

Raymond Agyemang’s free kick on 78 minutes brought a decent save from the hosts keeper. Five minutes later Reece Walters did well to get a shot away but it was going wide. James Armes connected at the back post but his effort went agonisingly wide on 83 minutes with the goal at his mercy. With time running out Peckham made their final change, Whizz Ettinger replacing Michael Desta with three minutes of the 90 remaining, and it was a change that proved pivotal as the game entered added time.

Peckham continued to pile on the pressure, again with captain Nicky Meta the driving force down the left wing, his second half performance later earning him the King of the Match accolade. With the home support continuing to call for the final whistle, Peckham gave it one last push and won a throw-in deep in the Snodland half. Whizz Ettinger stepped up to launch it into the 6 yard box but it was cleared back out to the substitute. Close to the by-line, he passed it to Nicky Meta who crossed it back towards the far post. Ismaila Doumbia out-jumped his marker and nodded the ball down into the path of James Armes who poked it home from 5 yards to level the game with 6 added minutes played. The Peckham players all ran to celebrate with the goal scorer and their supporters much to the dismay of the home crowd. It was literally a last gasp goal as within seconds of the restart the game was over.

Another point for Mary Phillip’s team as they fight to avoid the drop, unbeaten it three games they’ve now picked up 5 vital points for their troubles. With the February fixtures all complete, Peckham now face three away games and two homes game in March. They start next week away at high flying fourth placed Fleetdown Utd. This is followed by further away games against Guru Nanak and Hawkinge Town on the 8th and 29th respectively and in-between this they have two home fixture against Stansfeld O&B on the 15th and Ide Hill on the 22nd. As always, your support at home and on the road will be greatly appreciated, keep an eye on our socials again for all the details.

Peckham Town FC (4-4-2). Nelson Nunes; Michael Desta, Ismaila Doumbia, Jeremiah Duah Danso, Hassan Omar; Camilo Andres Nieva, Michael Agyemang, Raymond Agyemang, Nicky Meta (c); Jacob Kemp, Evaristo Mendes.
Subs. Jude Harris (on for Hassan Omar 16’), Tidi Barry (on for Michael Agyemang 67’), Reece Walters (on for Evaristo Mendes 67’), James Armes (on for Camilo Andres Nieva 76’) & Whizz Ettinger (on for Michael Desta 87’).
Hassan Omar (sent off 19’).