Record Crowd Sees Six Goal Thriller

At the bus stops. In the beer gardens. Down the laundrettes. In the newsagents. All they are talking about is the Race For Ninth.

Although Peckham Town could still mathematically reach eighth place and a spot in the top half of the table, it would likely require current occupants Tenterden Town to fail to win either of their remaining two games while the Menace won all three of theirs. Consequently, their ambitions turn to the ninth spot currently occupied by Cuxton whose league season has finished with 42 points and a +5 goal difference from their 30 games. Peckham in tenth and Ashford in eleventh both have 36 points from 27 games, but inferior goal differences of -4 and -14 respectively. Any of those three could therefore win the Top Of The Bottom Half Cup, with the visit of Ashford on the final day of the season potentially pivotal. For the Menace there is the added target of bettering last season’s tally of 40 points, which was good enough for eleventh in the table.

There was plenty to play for then for the home side, but also for visitors Stansfeld (Oxford & Bermondsey), who although already relegated would be keen to go leave the division on a high. Having finished just one place above the relegation zone in the prior 22/23 season, their fate this term has been decided by defensive frailty – their tally of 76 goals conceded is the worst in the league, with 4+ goals conceded in no fewer than 8 (out of 29) league games. The reverse fixture in August saw Peckham triumph 2-1, with goals from Dowding and Barry enough to overcome the loss of Omar and Dowding to second yellows late on. Today this represented an opportunity for the Menace to do a league double over a side for only the second time so far this season (Bermondsey Town being the other).

Peckham vulnerable and pegged back after Nieva’s opener

That Peckham changed formation as a result of the absence of Michael Agyemang tells a lot about how important he has become to the side in recent weeks; in many ways the recently adapted 4-2-3-1 seems designed to put him at the heart of the side, creating from deep and dictating play whenever possible. Without him, Peckham lined up in a more straightforward 4-4-2. Gamester continued in goal behind centre backs Duah Danso and Yassein. Somewhat-makeshift right back Hasan Omar and extremely-makeshift left back Joe Thomas completed the back four. Tarrant and Kemp were the central midfield partnership with Nieva right and Meta left. Rashane Wilson and Chris Weber were paired up front.

Stansfeld began the game in kits as dark grey as the ominous overhead clouds, and immediately made the most of their downhill advantage. Whether they were aware of Thomas playing out of position or whether their side naturally attacks down that flank, it seemed their plan was to get in behind the Peckham left back – something they frequently managed. The pattern of the first half hour or so was of Peckham struggling to adapt to their new system, and Stansfeld fashioning half chances from opportunities created by their #11 on the right wing. Indeed, on the evidence of the first half it was not at all apparent which of the sides would be playing higher division football next season. Gradually though Peckham began to find their rhythm, and Nieva, Wilson and Weber all had decent efforts as the interval approached.

The final five minutes of the half were as full of incident as the previous forty. First Gamester made two terrific saves from point blank range, the first a shot from nine yards out after the Stansfeld striker had been fed by a cross from the right (again), the second a header from even closer range from the resulting corner. As if spurred into action, Peckham immediately took the lead, surging up the pitch and delivering the ball to Camilo Andres Nieva who burst into the box on the Peckham left and beat the keeper with a low shot at the second attempt. Fustratingly, the lead lasted only a minute or so, as Stansfeld scored a fine goal from a free kick on the edge of the area, Gamester beaten as he scrambled back across to his near post.

Peckham once more too generous at the back

Peckham changed their front two at half time, with Dowding and Bah replacing Weber and Wilson, but in truth it had little impact on Peckham’s ability to create chances. The only thing getting cranked up seemed to be the assistant referee’s temper as he offered his flag to a succession of fans in the Main and the World’s Smallest Stands who opined that they could do better than seemingly awarding possession on the basis of who happened to ask for it first.

On the 65 minute mark Peckham did have an opportunity; a Dowding free kick clipped the wall, the Stansfeld keeper spilled his catch and the ball fell just behind Bah rushing in – he was unable to keep his effort down and the shot hit the bar.

That chance came immediately after two more fine stops by Gamester – confidently claiming a dangerous free kick into the area and then tipping over a sharp drive from 20 yards – but before two goals for Stansfeld. Both ought to make the Menace defence shudder to remember them, the first coming after a defensive mix-up allowed Stansfeld’s forward to stroll onto the ball and slot into an empty net, the second seeing the same forward score from an all-too-easy ball over the top from a quick counter.

And so Peckham trailed another relegated team with a little over 20 minutes remaining…

One thrilling comeback and two memorable goals

Realising that I was thirsty and I hadn’t seen my son in about an hour (I probably should have typed those the other way round really) I thought this would be an opportune time to head to the bar and do some half-arsed parenting along the way. The kids’ football match in progress on the pitch behind the away dugout seemed to have gone to penalties, and satisfied that everyone (my son included) seemed to be happy and enjoying themselves I headed to the bar. I really should do this more often as not for the first time this season I missed a goal while ordering a beer. I saw Kemp pick the ball up to the left of the half way line….I saw his cross field switch to Mohamed Bah running in to the Stansfeld box…I saw Bah hit it first time with his right foot across the goal, and then I saw….the back of the home dugout. But the roar (and a subsequent check on The Wonder That Is Dave’s Twitter Feed) told me that the ball had nestled in the far corner of the net and Peckham were back in it.

The goal went in on 79 minutes, but although they pressed hard Peckham could only carve out one chance of note in regulation time, a ball from the right into the six yard box causing an almighty scramble, some scuffed attempts, but ultimately a hoof to safety. However, in the seventh minute of added time the Menace had their equaliser. Kemp’s corner from the right was headed away by the Stansfeld defence but only as far as Sampson Ofori who was in acres of space just ten yards out. What happened next is, well, he’ll say he meant it, others will say he scuffed it. Let’s just say that the ball bounced up waist high and as he tried to hook his leg over it, instead of volleying it powerfully down to the keeper’s right as everyone (keeper included) anticipated it looped up apparently harmlessly only to drop into the other side of the goal for a stunning if surprising equaliser. Graft a Panenka onto a bicycle kick and you’ve about got the idea.

The attendance was what now?!

Holmesdale. Sutton United. Three Bridges. Metropolitan Police. Welling Town. Erith Town. Lydd Town. Thatcham Town! Can you hear me? Thatcham Town! Thatcham Town, your gates took a hell of a beating! Your gates took a hell of a beating.

312. 312 people through the muddy entrance to the Menace Arena today, a new record for the club and higher than the top attendances for all those sides above that I’ve made needless enemies of for the sake of a tenuous reference to begin the final section. But how amazing to see so many fans around the pitch cheering the side on to a point that keeps them in the Race For Ninth (side note: Ashford obligingly lost, yay). I spent most of my enjoyable afternoon in the World’s Smallest Stand, getting to know a number of first-time visitors, many of whom had come seeking out the special south London atmosphere after seeing the Copa90 documentary. I hope they and everyone who came had a great time, tells others they had a great time, and comes back with friends.

And to the gentleman in the World’s Smallest Stand who had such fun he managed to rip the seat of his trousers open I’d just say… Menace Life Ain’t Easy.

You can enjoy Peckham Town games twice more in the next six days, on Bank Holiday Monday 6th and Saturday 11th, at home to Minster and Ashford respectively. Two games in six days might seem like a lot but it’s really two in ninety six days when you think about it, given that will be it for competitive games until the 24/25 season begins in mid August. So make the most of the Menace Arena while you can and buckle up for the end of the season.

Because in the dugouts. Queuing for jerk. Behind the goals. In the World’s Smallest Stand. All they are talking about is the Race For Ninth.