Missed Chances Prove Costly In Mid-Season Friendly

Peckham last played a competitive league match on the 17 th February, their first draw of the season, a nil-nil against Fleetdown at the Menace Arena. Their next two league games, both at home fell foul of an incredibly wet February, and when their scheduled game at home against Welling Park was cancelled last Sunday (for reasons unknown as of yet) the call went out on social media for an away friendly to help Mary Phillip’s squad get some much needed match fitness. Thankfully KCFL Division 1 side Rochester City answered the call and a pitch was booked at Sittingbourne College.

Peckham brought a seventeen man squad which contained five trialists and the club coach, Junior Asante deputising between the sticks. Peckham showed early dominance and almost took the lead on four minutes, Rashane Wilson running onto a through ball from Michael Agyemang. Opting to hit it with his right foot he dragged his effort wide of the goal when maybe hitting with his left may have been the better choice. Five minutes later and Peckham attacked again only for Raymond Agyemang’s cross to miss Rashane Wilson lunge at the back post by a whisker. The chances kept coming for Peckham as they continued to dominate, but lady luck was definitely on the hosts side as Peckham just could find the back of the net. A trialist hit one just over the bar on 31 minutes, his last contribution of the half as Camilo Andres Nieva replaced him a minute later.

Rashane Wilson came close again on 32 minutes blazing his effort over from 8 yards. Peckham’s best chance of the half came on 40 minutes, Jacob Kemp squaring the ball in the 6 yard box to Rashane Wilson for a tap in. However a nasty bobble saw the ball hit the Peckham strikers knee and back across the 6 yard box before Camilo Andres Nieva’s strike was deflected high into the air for an easy take by the hosts keeper. Two minutes later the hosts took advantage of some sloppy defending to take a surprised lead. Winning a corner on 42 minutes it was taken short and the ball was pumped towards the Peckham back post. A Rochester City player headed it back towards the goal where three unmarked players were waiting to pounce, their number 9 tapping the ball home.

The half time whistle came and really Peckham should have been 3 ,4 or even 5-1 up at this point. The hosts had only really had one effort on goal but they had taken their chance with some ease. Peckham got the second half underway and the host looked more up for this game now. A host of changes from Mary Phillip ensued, Gbolahan Jimoh and a trailaist replacing Tidi Barry and Rashane Wilson with eight seconded half minutes played. Nicky Meta then made way just after the hour mark as another trialist came on, on 61 minutes.

Peckham began to push for an equaliser and it almost came as Raymond Agyemang hit the post in the 71 st minute. Jacob Kemp was then replaced by another trialist. As the final ten minutes approached again Mary Phillip’s side should have equalised. Some frantic defending denied a trialist from scoring as the ball ricocheted around the Rochester 6 yard box. It just wasn’t coming for Peckham and the hosts saw the game out in the end.

This wasn’t really about the result but more about the Peckham players gaining some much needed match fitness. It also gave some potential additions to the squad to show manager Mary Phillip what they can bring to the club too. So we now look to next Saturday as we travel to Erith to face the league leaders Halls Athletic.

Peckham Town FC: Junior Asante (GK), Fareid Yassein, Jacob Kemp, Tidi Barry, Nicky Meta (c), Chris Weber, Raymond Agyemang, Rashane Wilson , Jeremiah Duah Danso, Camilo Andres Nieva, Michael Agyemang , Gbolahan Jimoh & A Trialist, A Trialist, A Trialist, A Trialist, A Trialist.