CUXTON TOO STRONG FOR PECKHAM

Despite a whopping Non League Day crowd of 280 inside the Menace Arena, it wasn’t enough to prevent Peckham from falling to their tenth defeat of the season. Manager Mary Phillip had a match day squad of 16 with Nathan Gamester in goal, Raymond Agyemang at right back and Adam Carrick available again at left back. Fareid Yassein partnered Joe Thomas in central defence, in a change of formation from last week, Jacob Kemp and Michael Agyemang were the midfield two with captain Nicky Meta on the left wing and Rashane Wilson on the right wing. Kieran Dowding sat just behind striker Chris Weber, on the bench were Tidi Barry, Mohamed Bah, new signing Lucas Grego, Gbolahan Jimoh and Peter Tarrant.

Peckham got the game underway and should’ve been two up as they dominated the opening ten minutes of the game. A Kieran Dowding free kick went just wide on 2 minutes as did his curling effort seven minutes later. With 12 minutes played it took a goal line clearance to deny Jacob Kemp the opening goal. Adam Carrick took a long throw towards the midfielder who out jumped his marker to nod the ball all. The ball beat the keeper at he near post and was goal bound only to be scooped off the line by a Cuxton defender. The next ten minutes was very stop start, firstly Raymond Agyemang went down requiring treatment from an earlier knock to the head on 15 minutes then two minutes later it was the Peckham keeper that required some treatment as he took a knock trying to gather the ball as the visitors attacked. Thankfully both players didn’t suffer any major injuries and were ok to continue but the breaks in play interrupted Peckham’s rhythm allowing their opponents to regroup and get back into the game.

With 25 minutes played Nathan Gamester pulled off a point blank save on the edge of his six yard box to deny the visitors an opener. Five minutes later a Chris Weber touch allowed Jacob Kemp to get a shot away on goal from 20 yards out, but his effort never really troubled the Cuxton keeper who gathered the ball at the second attempt. With both teams playing attacking football it would surely only be a matter of time before the deadlock was broken. This came in the 32nd minute, albeit in a somewhat controversial manner. A long ball out of the visitors defence over on the far side looked as though it would be cleared by Joe Thomas. The Cuxton number 9 had other ideas and looked to have flicked the ball around the Menace defender with his arm. Play continued allowing the forward to run into the area before he crossed it into the 6 yard box for the Cuxton number 7 to head it passed the outstretched arms of Nathan Gamester and into the goal. Several Peckham players protested the goal claiming it should’ve been a free kick for hand ball, but the official wasn’t interested and the goal stood.

Peckham continued to search for an equaliser and were gifted a great opportunity as the first half entered added time. The ball fell to Raymond Agyemang 25 yards from goal and as the defender was about to pull the trigger he was bundled to the floor from behind by the Cuxton number ten. The defender opted to take the free kick himself only to send it straight into the wall. The ball rebounded and fell to Adam Carrick who opted to side foot it toward the target rather that putting his foot through the ball and the Cuxton keeper made an easy save. That really was the last action of the half and the match official blew for half time with four added minutes played.

The game was still anyone’s at this point and the next goal would prove pivotal. With no changes at half time for Peckham, the visitors kicked off the second half. As the heavens opened with a mixture of rain and hail the visitors squandered a great opportunity to double their lead barely two minutes from the restart. Another long ball over the top allowed the Cuxton number 11 to play in his team mate unopposed. As their number ten ran towards the Peckham goal he crossed the ball into the Peckham area. As the defenders struggled to get back the ball found the Cuxton number 9 unmarked on the penalty spot but he skied his effort over an open Peckham goal! The visitors perseverance however, paid off when they did double their lead from the penalty spot two minutes later.

The threat again came down the left wing as yet another long ball over the top found the Cuxton number 11 just outside the Peckham area. He controlled the ball well and entered the Peckham area and attempted to send Fareid Yassein the wrong way. Unfortunately the Peckham defender stuck out is right leg sending the Cuxton winger to the floor giving the match official no option other than to point to the spot with 50 minutes played. Up stepped their number nine to slot the ball home into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, sending the Peckham keeper the wrong way toboot! Time for some personnel changes, on came Tidi Barry and Gbolahan Jimoh, with Rashane Wilson and Chris Weber making way before the restart. Four minutes later and Mary Phillip was forced into another change as Fareid Yassein was caught by a late challenge from the Cuxton striker on 56 minutes. The defender required treatment but was unable to continue, and although there was no malice in the challenge it earned the Cuxton number nine a yellow card. On came debutant Lucas Grego to slot into the centre of defence, a like for like replacement.

Peckham’s final change of the game came just after the hour mark, Mohamed Bah replacing Nicky Meta on 61 minutes. With extra fire power now on the pitch Peckham needed to get the next goal if they were to have any hope in getting something from the game. The next goal however went the way of the visitors as they countered five minutes later. This time the attack came down the right wing, and again it was another ball over the top. With players forward, Peckham were outnumbered at the back and the visitors attacked with three men to Peckham’s two. Nathan Gamester came out to narrow the angle but the ball was squared into the middle of the Peckham area to the Cuxton number nine. He took a touch before slotting the ball home to bag his brace and to put the game to bed despite two defenders scrambling back to the goal line.

Mary Phillip’s team continued to search for a consolation and it almost came in the 74th minute as Adam Carrick headed just wide from a Raymond Agyemang free kick on the centre circle. The goal did finally come for Peckham, courtesy of a Raymond Agyemang penalty five minutes from the end of normal time. Tidi Barry countered down the right wing before playing in Gbolahan Jimoh. His first touch looked a bit heavy allowing the Cuxton number three to make a tackle and clear the ball. With both players on the ground frantically trying to regain their feet, the Cuxton defender opted to keep a hold of the Peckham midfielders leg sending tumbling to the ground. The official immediately pointed to the spot allowing Raymond Agyemang to send the keeper the wrong way in an exact replica of their opponents earlier penalty.

It was however nothing more than a consolation for Peckham and after five added minutes the game was over. Another disappointing home defeat and the lack of game time from all the postponements are still taking their toll. Despite the defeat and what the score line suggests, goalkeeper Nathan Gamester was given the King of the Match for some decent saves. As we move towards Easter Peckham are in action twice over the holiday weekend. On Saturday it’s time for a Jolly Boys outing as we travel down to Ramsgate (it’s very near Margate) to play Minster before we entertain Ashford at the Menace Arena on Easter Monday. Keep an eye on our socials for kick off times and travel information.

Peckham Town FC (4-4-1-1): Nathan Gamester; Raymond Agyemang, Joe Thomas, Fareid Yassein, Adam Carrick, Rashane Wilson, Jacob Kemp, Michael Agyemang, Nicky Meta (c); Kieran Dowding; Chris Weber.
Subs. Tidi Barry (on for Rashane Wilson), Gbolahan Jimoh (on for Chris Weber), Lucas Grego (on for Fareid Yassein), Mohamed Bah (on for Nicky Meta) & Peter Tarrant (not used).