Five Things We Learned From Peckham’s Cup Exit on Penalties to Higher League Clapton

1. The London Senior Trophy… It’s Better Than The Manklow

The 28th August 2020 was one of the best nights ever. Yes, the beer was poor. Yes, it absolutely pissed down. And yes, 120 minutes of football produce exactly zero goals. But when George Legg saved the final AFC Cubo penalty and sent Peckham players, staff and fans bananas it almost made the six months of lockdown that had preceded the game worth it, such was the let-off. As the first senior men’s trophy to have been won by a female coach, the night also has a special place in the record books.

Today’s game was the first step in a potential journey back to such dizzying highs, and the Menace started the game at a furious pace, determined it seemed to make progress against their higher league opposition. After eight minutes the visitors had barely had a touch in the hosts half, and the opening goal duly came from Yacoub Suleman ghosting in behind his man on the left wing, found by a lovely pass from Joe Thomas after Kieran Dowding had done well to retain possession on the right.

2. A Rare Unchanged Defence, However Leaks Remain

Although keeping up their tempo, Peckham were unable to hold onto the lead and it was the visitors who headed into the break 2-1 to the good. The equaliser came from the right, taking advantage of space in behind Suleman to give Romaku too much to do at full back. The second came from a corner, as the Menace again failed to deal with a dead ball threat - a theme of the season so far. And the visitors’ third, retaking the lead, again owed to confusion at the back and a seeming unwillingness to agriculturally clear their lines.

It’s worth noting that this was the tenth game of the season so far, and it was only the second time Peckham had fielded an unchanged back four. Availability, for personal, fitness and disciplinary reasons, has of course been an unwanted factor in this - but the 22 goals Peckham have conceded in those ten matches can’t be being helped by constantly changing personnel at the back. The prior match when Peckham’s defence was unchanged (against Kent United) resulted in a 4-2 away win. Hopefully more settled selection can be enjoyed going forward, although with Carrick (previously played three won three) limping off at the end that may not be immediately possible.

3. K Is Special All Day Long, But Goals Throughout The Team

Kieran Dowding has had a great start to the season, and although he wasn’t on the scoresheet it continued here. Partnering Chris Weber up front with a midfield diamond behind - albeit one that agave licence to Nieva and Suleman to roam wide - he was a constant threat, often dropping deep to gain and keep possession, isolating and beating his fullback with pace, and threatening with set piece deliveries.

Peckham’s first equaliser, to make things 2-2, fell to their other striker though. After a rousing half time speech from manager Mary Philip, the home side again started with intent, and two minutes in were back level. Raymond Agyemang, on as a half time substitute, picked up the ball on the left and sent a perfect cross field ball to Chris Weber in space in the area. He made his control and thumped finish look far more simple than it was.

Weber’s goal scoring composure may have momentarily caught the eye, but Dowding’s all-game all-action display had funs purring… and his sponsors wondering whether such dynamism was at all “on brand” - a coincidence given the extent to which Special K gave the opposition indigestion.

4. Peckham Profit Against Ten Men, But Fall Short From The Spot

Peckham’s third came after a lengthy delay in play caused by a foul to Raymond Agyemang for which Clapton’s right winger received a second yellow card. So often this season it has been Peckham reduced to ten men, but this was the first time they had had the numerical advantage. They made it pay; a vicious in swinging corner from Dowding fell to Yacoub Suleman ten yards out, and he placed his shot through a crowd of defenders and into the net.

It was no more than Peckham deserved; in truth they had been the better side, despite Clapton being a Step higher. But after a final chance deep into injury time that ricocheted back off the post, Peckham had to settle for a 3-3 draw and a penalty shoot out. The first six were scored, and when Gamester saved Clapton’s fourth Peckham had a huge chance to win. However the post and the Clapton keeper denied Peckham’s fourth and sixth kicks to allow the visitors to progress.

5. Everybody Needs Good Neighbours

I’ve spent a lot my time at the Menace Arena just to the side of the away dugout, as it’s the nearest location pitch-side to the kids’ football pitch that my boys like to play on. While convenient for lazy parenting it can often be less enjoyable given the attitudes and opinions regularly expressed by the away benches - Stansfeld and Red Velvet springing to mind as particularly shocking.

Spending the second half of this game in that spot was by contrast a breath of fresh air; the visiting staff were passionate but friendly and fair. I can’t help wondering if the SCEFL First Division, with almost half the league composed of sides from neighbouring London boroughs rather than distant villages in medieval Kent, might offer a similar experience more often. With this Cup exit comes renewed attention on the League; it’s hard to know, given League position isn’t the only determinant of promotion, what might be the requirement for Peckham to move up next Summer. But a midweek night win against Bernondsey - who themselves leapt four levels to play in the SCELF First last season - would be a great place to start.

Peckham Town are next in action on Tuesday night, when we travel to St Paul’s Sports Ground (Fisher’s ground) for a south London derby against Bermondsey Town. Kick off is 745pm.