Monday night football, sounds like something you hear on Sky Sports, and although it was not quite as glamorous as you might first have thought - and Jamie Carragher wasn’t there - the game itself was worthy of such an accolade. Yes, it was a nil-nil, but it was far from a bore draw.

The only changes to the starting line up that so cruelly exited the London FA Trophy game last Saturday saw Jeremiah Duah Danso return to central defence to replace Fareid Yassein and Adam Carrick starting at left back. This meant Oreoluwa Majekodunmi dropping to the bench and James Armes, Peter Tarrant, Alejandro Llumigusin and Camilo Andres Nieva joined him there.

The venue was the brand new stadium that is the new home of one of the country’s oldest clubs. That is of course Cray Wanderers, and upon first glance it is not a bad stadium, Bexley FC must feel quite privileged to play here also, as its light years ahead of their last home in Oxford Road, Sidcup.

So, onto the game which Bexley got underway and on paper this looked as though it would be an easy win for Mary Phillip’s team, their opponents sitting fourth from bottom with a minus 11 goal difference. Not so however as the rumours were that Bexley had signed some new players and for the opening ten minutes or so nothing could separate the two sides.

Chances were few and far between, Jacob Kemp had Peckham first real attempt on goal, hitting his effort over on 18 minutes. The hosts had a chance two minutes later but there was never any threat and Nelson Nunes saved it with ease. Another chance fell to Raymond Agyemang in the 36th minute from a short free kick over on the far side. The Bexley defence had other ideas and with two defenders closing the midfielder down he snatched at his shot and hit it high over the goal.

It would be fair to say the hosts were slightly more physical in their tackles as their first yellow came four minutes from the end of normal time in the first half. The offence, blatantly pulling the shirt of Evaristo Mendes as he was about to break down the right, and it left the Peckham striker requiring treatment. Three minutes later the free kick was sent into the Bexley area by Nicky Meta and as the hosts failed to clear the ball fell to Adam Carrick on the edge of the 6 yard box to tap it home. The assistant's flag went up immediately for offside, but the question was: did the ball get played to him by a Bexley player. Either way his effort was chalked off and the game continued for an additional four added minutes.

Manger Mary Phillip made no changes during the break and her team kicked of the second half. Within two minutes Nicky Meta tested the home keeper, curling a ball from twenty yards out which looked destined for the top right hand corner of the goal. The Bexley number one was equal to it and palmed it around the goal for a corner injuring himself in the process as he landed awkwardly. Needless to say he was okay
to continue after some treatment.

As per the first half there was nothing between the two teams, neither defence willing to give way. Bexley picked up another yellow on 53 minutes, their number 6 going in the book for a cynical foul on Evaristo Mendes as he threatened to break clear once again. Just after the hour Mark and the Peckham striker was played in by Tidy Barry just outside the 18 yard box but he miss hit the ball sending of wide of the Bexley
goal on 61 minutes.

Peckham's best chance of the game came four minutes later as Jacob Kemp played a ball into Kieran Dowding. The Peckham winger did well to control it first time and as he entered the area he took another touch knocking it past the advancing Bexley keeper. It was a heavy touch and despite the empty goal beckoning and the angle reducing, he lost his footing before he could strike the ball and ended up face down on the 4G pitch. Nine times out of ten you’d have put your mortgage on the Peckham man to score in these situations, and it was a cruel end to a great build up.

With twenty minutes remaining the hosts won a corner after Nelson Nunes was adjudged to have got his fingertips to the ball. Despite the protests that the ball had in fact hit the crossbar, the corner was given and from that the hosts were denied by the woodwork from taking the lead. Had that have gone in it would have been a very bitter pill to swallow. Camilo Andres Nieva then replaced Evaristo Mendes, the striker taking a knock two minutes later.

With just under fifteen to go the hosts had a great chance to break the deadlock. Their number 7 played a square ball into the penalty spot which found an unmarked team mate who looked destined to score with a tap in from 8 yards. Nelson Nunes wasn’t having any of it and got down well to save with his legs on 76 minutes. A minute later and Tidi Barry left the field to be replaced by super sub James Armes. Mary Phillip made a further two changes, Alejandro Llumigusin replacing Nicky Meta in the 86th minute and Oreoluwa Majekodunmi replacing Whizz Ettinger on 88 minutes.

A minute later and the hosts picked up another booking as their number 4 side swiped Alejandra Llumigusin as he played the ball passed the Bexley player. Adam Carrick connected on the resulting free kick 8 yards out but it was an easy save for the keeper. Four added minutes were played and the official blew for full time, all in all a fair result in the end.

Next week we are on the road again as we face Ide Hill on the 4G pitch at the home of Tonbridge Angels. This is sure to be another test for Mary Phillip’s side against the team holding up the table. As always keep an eye on our socials for all the details.

Peckham Town FC (4-3-3). Nelson Nunes; Whizz Ettinger, Michael Desta, Jeremiah Duah Danso, Adam Carrick; Tidi Barry, Raymond Agyemang, Jacob Kemp; Kieran Dowding, Evaristo Mendes, Nicky Meta (c).
Subs. Camilo Andres Nieva (on for Evaristo Mendes 72’), James Armes (on for Tidi Barry 77’), Alejandro Llumigusi (on for Nicky Meta 86’), & Oreoluwa Majekodunmi (on for Whizz Ettinger 88’), Peter Tarrant (not used).