After the Bank Holiday Monday defeat at home to Fleetdown, manager Mary Phillip would be hoping for an immediate reaction from her players against Ramsgate Athletic at the Menace Arena. Nathan Gamester returned in goal with captain Nicky Meta at right back and Adam Carrick at left back, Hassan Omar once again partnered Fareid Yassein in the centre of defence. The midfield trio were Raymond Agyemang, Tidi Barry and, after finally receiving international clearance, Aliba Lando. Evaristo Mendes started up front with Camilo Andres Nieva on the right and Mohamed Bah on the left. On the bench were Kwadwo Asamoah, Oreoluwa Majekodunmi, James Armes, Alejandro Llumigusin and new signing Samuel Marchi.

Before a ball was even kicked it was obvious that this was going to be a difficult game for both sides. With a very strong wind blowing across the pitch, the visitors got the game underway playing into the aforementioned wind. With barely seconds played Ramsgate were forced into making a change after Evaristo Mendes caught their player after trying to block the ball forward. There was clearly no intent from the Peckham front man and hopefully the Ramsgate player will make a speedy recovery from what looked like a possible dislocated shoulder.

After a short delay the game continued with Peckham looking to use the wind as an advantage with balls over the top towards the wingers. Chances so far were few and far between as both sides struggled in the conditions. Ramsgate had the first real chance of the game from a set piece in the 13th minute after winning a free kick on the edge of the Peckham area. The resulting kick never really posed any threat to Nathan Gamester’s goal as it was headed into the ground and over the goal at the back post. Peckham’s first real chance came in the 25th minute after some fancy footwork from Evaristo Mendes. His pass found Camilo Andres Nieva out on the left and the winger headed towards the by-line before shooting from an acute angle into the side netting.

A minute later and Tidi Barry sent in a high ball towards the back post and despite being unmarked Evaristo Mendes’ header was easy pickings for the Ramsgate keeper. Peckham were certainly having the upper hand now and as the half hour mark approached Evaristo Mendes turned provider as his pass found Mohamed Bah just inside the Ramsgate area. The chance looked to have all but gone as defenders closed the winger down but somehow he managed to hit the ball on the volley forcing the Ramsgate keeper into a save, tipping it over the bar and with the resulting corner cleared also, the game remained goalless.

With 37 minutes on the clock Peckham were awarded a free kick just outside the Ramsgate area over on the far side. Adam Carrick played the ball into Tidi Barry, who, spotting the run by Camilo Andres Nieva opted for a cheeky flick into the space ahead of the winger. However before he could even get to the ball he was sent tumbling to the ground by the Ramsgate number 18, the official taking his name without hesitation. Aliba Lando dinked the free kick into the 6 yard box which caught everyone by surprise and had the Ramsgate keeper not managed to just deflect it away with his foot there were two Peckham players waiting for an easy tap in at the back post.

The first half entered added time and Ramsgate picked up their second booking with two added minutes played after their number ten caught Adam Carrick with a high challenge. The Peckham defender looked to be in some discomfort initially but thankfully was ok to continue. A minute later and the visitors had a chance to break the deadlock as they attacked the Peckham goal. A ball came in from the left and under some pressure from the Peckham defence found its way out to an unmarked Ramsgate player who opted to have a go but he hit it high over the goal. That was the last action of the first half as the official blew seconds after Nathan Gamester’s goal kick.

So far, Peckham were slightly edging the game but were just lacking that certain something in the final third. Neither keeper had really been tested, with the visitors possibly the busiest of the two so far. Would that now change in the second half as it would be Peckham playing into the wind and with no changes from manager Mary Phillip, her side restarted the game. It continued pretty much the same as the first half had left off, both teams still lacking anything in the final third but with Peckham still edging the game.

Peckham made their first changes just after the hour mark, a double change with James Armes replacing Mohamed Bah and a debut for Samuel Marchi as he replaced captain Nicky Meta on 63 minutes. This meant a reshuffle at the back with Hassan Omar slotting into the right back position and the new signing slotting into central defence. The first real chance for Mary Phillip’s side after the break came three minutes later as Camilo Andres Nieva broke free down the left wing. Unchallenged the winger only had the keeper to beat and from 8 yards out he hit the ball across the goal only to see it hit the post and rebound away. It all happened so quickly that even the unmarked Evaristo Mendes wasn’t able to react fast enough to tap in the rebound at the far post.

The visitors then picked up another booking in the 69th minute for shirt pulling. Hassan Omar ventured forward down the right and their number 17 opted to take one for the team as the defender looked to be breaking free. Peckham then had two great chances within a minute to break the deadlock, the first coming from a set piece just outside the visitors 18 yard box. Hassan Omar took a short free kick to Raymond Agyemang and under pressure he hit it over the bar in the 73rd minute. A mimute later Raymond Agyemang played the ball out to Aliba Lando on the right near the edge of the Ramsgate box. He broke into the area and whipped his shot across the goal mouth only missing the far post by a few inches. Before the game could restart, Mary Phillip made another change, Alejandro Llumigusin replacing Camilo Andres Nieva in a like for like swap on the left wing.

He made an immediate impact which almost led to a goal in the 79th minute. James Armes played the ball out to the left and after some great footwork Alejandro Llumigusin outwitted his marker and crossed the ball from the by-line into 6 yard area. It was however, deflected away by a Ramsgate defender but fell kindly for Raymond Agyemang twenty yards out who took a touch before shooting. The Ramsgate keeper looked overstretched and must’ve been thankful that the post came to his rescue.

The game entered the final ten minutes and Adam Carrick found himself in an unlikely shooting position after the official played the advantage. James Armes was caught late just outside the area, but the Peckham defender picked up the ball and entered the area. He played a quick one-two with Evaristo Mendes before shooting across the goal and wide of the far post. Maybe Peckham would have benefited more had the official given the free kick!

With four minutes of normal time remaining Mary Phillip made her final change of the game, Kwadwo Asamoah replacing Raymond Agyemang after the midfielder took a knock seconds earlier. Peckham’s only card of the game came in the 89th minute as Adam Carrick miss-timed his challenge and caught the Ramsgate man as he attempted to win the ball. The game entered added time and the visitors picked up another yellow card, their number two the perpetrator this time.

Both teams continued to create chances but neither could find away through to steal the game, but it was the visitors that came closest in the third added minute as their number seven did well to win the ball in the middle. He played it out wide to their winger on the left who was clear of Peckham’s last man, Kwadwo Asamoah. Nathan Gamester hesitated before he started to come out to narrow the angle which gave the Ramsgate time to chipp the ball over the Menace stopper into the 6 yard box towards the open goal. Thankfully Fareid Yassein was quicker to the ball than the Ramsgate number four and cleared it out for a corner thus preventing an easy tap in. Peckham dealt with the corner and after four added minutes the official brought the game to an end.

So the match finished a rare goalless draw at the Menace Arena and in the end a fair result as neither team really looked like scoring. On reflection manager Mary Phillip will be happy with the clean sheet after the errors that caused her side to concede four in their last outing, so that is definitely a positive to take away from this game. Yes, both teams lacked that cutting edge in the final third but Peckham hit the woodwork twice in the second half and on another day they may have gone in.

Next week Peckham travel the short distance across South East London to Charlton where they face Bridon Ropes Reserves in the IRCC Cup on the 4G pitch at the Meridian Sports and Social Club. This game will be a 2.15pm kick off and is free entry.

Peckham Town FC (4-3-3). Nathan Gamester, Nicky Meta (c), Fareid Yassein, Hassan Omar, Adam Carrick; Aliba Lando, Raymond Agyemang, Tidi Barry; Camilo Andres Nieva, Evaristo Mendes, Mohamed Bah.
Subs. Samuel Marchi (on for Nicky Meta 63’), James Armes (on for Mohamed Bah 63’), Alejandro Llumigusin (on for Camilo Andres Nieva 74’), Kwadwo Asamoah (on for Raymond Agyemang 86’), not used Oreoluwa Majekodunmi.

Peckham Town Football Club

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