ALL SQUARE AT FLAMINGO PARK BETWEEN BEXLEY AND PECKHAM TOWN

It was a trip South of the River for me last Monday evening as Bexley hosted Peckham Town in The NRG 24HR Gym Kent County Premier Division. 

The hosts are ground sharing at Cray Wanderer's new Flamingo Park ground for the 24/25 season and have a huge amount of history having been formed in 1884 having played in the FA Cup in the 1940s and FC Vase in the 1970s. In recent years they have been members of the Kent County League and having won Division One (West) in the 22/23 season have been back in the Premier Division for the last two seasons. 

Peckham Town were formed in 1982 and are a fantastic club with their local community at it's heart. They have moved up the football pyramid and have been members of the Kent County Premier Division since the 16/17 campaign. They have played at their current home The Southwark Sports Ground now known as The Menace Arena since 2003. 

In front of a decent crowd of 120 people this was a very entertaining game despite no goals being scored. Both teams played some good football and are clearly well coached. 

This is the first time I've seen Peckham Town play and it was fantastic to see their Manager Mary Phillip. She is a real footballing icon and trailblazer who has been in charge of her home town club since 2019. During her playing career she represented Millwall Lionesses, Fulham, Arsenal and Chelsea as well as being capped by England 65 times.

Both teams have some impressive players for Step Seven football with the stand out player for me being D'Armando Lawrence playing on the left wing for Bexley. He has played for East Grinstead Town, Holmesdale, Leatherhead, Cray Wanderers and Sunderland RCA. His positive forward runs coupled with good close control caused The Menace defence trouble throughout the game. 

Both sides had chances to win the game with Bexley hitting the post and having a close range effort well saved by Nelson Nunes. Peckham Town forward Kieran Dowding won't enjoy looking back at his chance in the second half as when he was through on goal he unfortunately stumbled and wasn't able to get a shot off. He had a very good game as well. 

If you are visiting Flamingo Park via the train the nearest station is New Eltham which is around a fifteen minute walk away. Don't walk all the way down Footscray Road to the A20 as you won't be able to cross the road to get to the ground. The best way is to turn right down Thaxted Road where there is a bridge to cross safely to the side of the road the ground is on. 

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