THE 101ST MINUTE IS THE CUX OF THE MATTER

Midfielder Tidi Barry scored a dramatic winner in the eleventh added minute to bag three points for the ten men of Peckham. For the third game in a row Mary Phillip’s side finished with ten or less players on the pitch as Kieran Dowding was again shown two yellow cards.

Nathan Gamester started in goal for the second game in a row, Fareid Yassein started at right back with Raymond Agyemang injured in midweek. Hassan Omar and Jeremiah Duah Danso were the two centre halves and captain Nicky Meta deputised at left back in place of the suspended Elton Romaku. With many players missing, Mary Phillip reverted to a 4-4-2 line up, with Malachi Brissett unavailable Joe Thomas partnered Tidi Barry in central midfield with Camilo Andres Nieva on the right and Kieran Dowding on the left. Up front were Chris Weber and Rashane Wilson, the latter making his first start for the Menace. On the bench was Yeison Arizmendi and new signing Yacoub Suleman.

Peckham got the game underway with both teams starting brightly but Peckham soon had their hosts under some intense pressure, with both Kieran Dowding and captain Nicky Meta linking up well down the left and Camilo Andres Nieva causing mayhem down the right flank. They were however up against a very resilient Cuxton defence and just couldn’t find a way through.

This obviously gave the hosts a boost and as the game approached the twenty minute mark Mary Phillip’s side found themselves under pressure, so it came as a surprise as Peckham took the lead after clearing a Cuxton corner.

Fareid Yassein headed the ball clear and it eventually found the feet of Tidi Barry just outside the 18 yard box who did well to control the ball before passing to Camilo Andres Nieva. The winger then played a one-two with striker Chris Weber on the edge of the centre circle who held it up well before turning and playing the ball forward to the advancing winger. Breaking past the last man just inside the host's half the Peckham player was away on goal with three teammates around him. The hosts struggled to get men back and as a challenge came in the winger slotted home from 10 yards on twenty minutes.

Cuxton continued to play a high defensive line and had it not been for a tight offside they could’ve been two down four minutes later. They still posed a threat to Mary Phillip’s side and it took a great block from Fareid Yassein at the far post to deny them an equaliser.

The equaliser did come five minutes before halftime after Chris Weber lost the ball on the half way line. It eventually made its way to Caleb Bearman-Dyce for Cuzton out on the right wing who took a touch before cutting inside on Nicky Meta on the edge of the Peckham area. As a challenge came in from Hassan Omar the Cuxton player hit the ball with his left peg curling it into the top left hand corner past the diving Nathan Gamester. To be fair it was a great strike and would have beaten any keeper!

Three minutes later Camilo Andres Nieva attacked down the left flank and went down as he entered the Cuxton area. Despite the calls for a penalty the official was having none of it and a goal kick was given.

After five added minutes the official blew for half time. Again Mary Phillip would have been disappointed with her team's performance having been dominated by their hosts for so much of the first half. With no changes during the break the hosts kicked off the second half.

Cuxton started the half with a spring in their step and within three minutes Nathan Gamester was called upon to make a point blank save from 6 yards out although the assistant on the far side had already raised his flag for offside.

A minute later Kieran Dowding went into the book for diving as he attacked down the left wing. Bearing down on goal the challenge came in as he entered the area and even though the defender made no contact with the ball, the official had no hesitation in booking the Menace winger.

Peckham then stunned the hosts as they took the lead in the 53rd minute, Camilo Andres Nieva netting his second goal of the game. Jeremiah Duah Danso played a long ball out to the right wing from 10 yards inside his own half. As the ball came down a Cuxton defender could only head it on to the Peckham winger who then took a touch with his right foot before curling it past the keeper and into the far corner of the goal with his left, 53 minutes played and now 2-1 to the good.

Peckham were beginning to look lethargic so it was no surprise when Mary Phillip opted for some substations, firstly bringing new signing Yacoub Suleman on for Chris Weber on 59 minutes and then Yeison Arizmendi on for Rashane Wilson on 63 minutes hoping the fresh legs could help kill the game off.

It was however the hosts that levelled from the spot a minute later after a challenge from Jeremiah Duah Danso. Despite guessing the right way the Caleb Bearman-Dyce slotted home inside Nathan Gamester’s left hand post for his second goal of the match.

Substitute Yeison Arizmendi then had two great chances to open his Peckham account, the first on 69 minutes, shooting wide of the Cuxton goal, one he won’t want to see back on video again. The second chance three minutes later was on target, but he hit it straight at the keeper.

With fifteen minutes left of the 90 midfielder Joe Thomas went down off the ball and after consulting with his assistant on the near side, the Cuxton number 5 went into the book. Peckham were awarded a free kick just outside the centre circle in their opponents half. Captain Nicky Meta floated the ball into the Cuxton area but the flag was immediately raised before Yeison Arizmendi netted. Then with just under ten minutes left the Cuxton keeper was given a yellow card after he carried the ball outside his area, the resulting free being easily cleared by the hosts.

The game entered added time, and for the second game running there would be a good few minutes to play. Camilo Andres Nieva had a chance to bag his hat-trick in the fourth added minute but hit his effort high over the Cuxton goal. Then with seven added minutes on the clock Peckham found themselves down to ten men.

Kieran Dowding looked to have lost his marker but was cynically dragged to the ground. The winger seemed to retaliate but a Cuxton player then appeared to raise his hands to the Peckham player's throat. After the official regained control he was joined by both of his assistants over on the far side of the pitch. After consulting both his counterparts Kieran Dowding was shown his second yellow card, and then gave the Cuxton player a straight red.

With both teams now both down to ten men the game looked destined to be a draw, but then against the run of play Peckham capitalised on a mistake by the Cuxton left back and took the lead.

With eleven added minutes on the clock Yeison Arizmendi nicked the ball away from the Cuxton player as he attempted to shield the ball out for a throw. It then fell to Yacoub Suleman who took a touch before crossing the ball under a challenge from the Cuxton player and past the advancing keeper. The ball found Tidi Barry at the back post who tapped it into the empty net sending the entire Peckham contingent into jubilant celebrations.

The game continued and the hosts piled forward in the hope of snatching a draw. Winning two consecutive corners Peckham only half cleared the ball to the Cuxton number 4 on the edge of the area. He played it square hoping to find a teammate but Yacoub Suleman looked to have won the ball but went through the Cuxton player sending him crashing to the floor. The official didn’t hesitate in awarding a free kick 40 yards from the Peckham goal.

This was surely the last chance for the hosts and everyone bar the taker, one defender and their goalkeeper packed the Peckham area. Up stepped the Cuxton number 8 to take the free kick and sent it over the bar, much to the relief of the Menace faithful, and in a similar end to Peckham’s midweek game, the official blew for full time before goalkeeper Nathan Gamester hand landed after his attempt to save the ball.

The Peckham players, bench and supporters celebrated, relieved that the game was over. Despite letting their opponents back in the game twice, Mary Phillip’s team never gave up and in the end got the result they just about deserved despite coming under a lot of pressure. Her main issue to tackle will be the lack of discipline, albeit often provoked, from some of her players as this must improve as the season progresses. King of the Match went to Jeremiah Duah Danso for a solid display at the back. Next up Peckham take on Parkwood Rangers at the Menace Arena as the attention turns to the cup.

Peckham Town FC (4-4-2). Nathan Gamester; Fareid Yassein, Hassan Omar, Jeremiah Duah Danso, Nicky Meta (c); Camilo Andres Nieva, Tidi Barry, Joe Thomas, Kieran Dowding; Rashane Wilson, Chris Weber.
Subs. Yacoub Suleman (on for Chris Weber) & Yeison Arizmendi (on for Rashane Wilson).