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Match Report: Fisher 2-3 Glebe

Fisher 2-3 Glebe
Tuesday 24 August 2021
SCEFL Premier Divison

Scorers: Courtney Swaby 20, Malaki Coker 59

Attn: 131

Report: A patched up Fisher side took on league pacesetter Glebe in a exciting tussle at St Pauls under the rarity of evening sunshine on Tuesday night. A combination of injuries and holidays left manager Ajay Ashanike juggling his pack and saw four changes from the previous Saturday’s draw with Welling, Tommy Taylor, Cristian Portaresco, Greg McCrudden, Christian Udo and Joseph Adewunmi all coming into the starting eleven, with Patrick Hoy and assistant boss Luke With added to the bench.

There was a rather slow start to the game with Glebe’s patient build and Fisher’s counter attack play seeing the ball spending a lot of time being moved around the middle third of the pitch. Malaki Coker pushed a chance just wide of the post and Glebe fired over as the sides finally settled and created attempts on goal.

On 18 minutes Fisher took the lead as Udo was sent racing into the box and although pushed wide got a low shot away which cannoned back of the post  to find Courtney Swaby following up. Swaby stayed calm to control the rebound and slide it past the Glebe keeper for his first goal in a Fisher shirt. Glebe responded strongly and forced a series of corners form which a goal bound header was met with a fingertip save. Unfortunately the save was made by full back Michael Sarpong rather than Tommy Taylor and a red card was duly shown leaving Fisher to play seventy minutes with ten men. The defenders decision to handle was possibly justified when Helge Orome sent the resulting spot kick wide of the post much to the delight of the Fisher fans behind the goal.

Fisher defended well for the remainder of the half and despite Glebe having the majority of possession the lead was preserved well and bar catching a few long range shots and crosses Taylor was relatively untroubled in the Fisher goal.

The second half started at greater pace with Glebe straight on the attack. The Fisher back line were being stretched and only a great save by Taylor with the help of the crossbar and Sam Fitzgerald bravely throwing himself in front of the rebound kept the lead intact. Chances continued to come for Glebe and just as it looked as if the equaliser must come Fisher snatched a second. A great run and cross from Swaby saw Coker just beaten to the ball but from the resulting corner Fitzgerald’s header was only cleared as far as Coker who hooked his shot powerfully back goal wards and a slight deflection left Glebe’s keeper Ceesay with no chance.

With half an hour left and a two goal cushion Fisher needed to keep it tight for ten more minutes to really raise hopes of seeing the game out despite being a man down. However Glebe struck back almost immediately working space in the box for Philpot to sweep home. With the visitors making intelligent use of the extra man treating it like an ice hockey style power play and moving the ball around quickly and purposefully they were soon level as Ryan King became the extra man in the box and powerfully smashed hoe via the cross bar.

Glebe continued to press for a winner and Fisher understandably tired. Chances came and went but with just two minutes of normal time remaining a long diagonal into the box saw Taylor beaten to the ball by Jamie Philpot and his header looped into the unguarded net – heartbreak for Fisher who had battled valiantly. They regrouped and substitute Hoy almost snatched an injury time leveller but saw his shot from the right palmed away and a last gasp free kick after Swaby was felled on the edge of the box was hit over the bar by With on in a cameo substitute appearance in injury time. It wasn’t to be and Glebe continued with their 100 per cent league record – just!

A patched up Fisher side took on league pacesetter Glebe in a exciting tussle at St Pauls under the rarity of evening sunshine on Tuesday night. A combination of injuries and holidays left manager Ajay Ashanike juggling his pack and saw four changes from the precious Saturday draw with Welling, Tommy Taylor, Cristian Portaresco, Greg McCrudden, Christian Udo and Joseph Adewunmi all coming into the starting eleven, with Patrick Hoy and assistant boss Luke With added to the bench.

There was a rather slow start to the game with Glebe’s patient build and Fisher’s counter attack play seeing the ball spending a lot of time being moved around the middle third of the pitch. Malaki Coker pushed a chance just wide of the post and Glebe fired over as the sides finally settled and created attempts on goal.

On 18 minutes Fisher took the lead as Udo was sent racing into the box and although pushed wide got a low shot away which cannoned back of the post  to find Courtney Swaby following up. Swaby stayed calm to control the rebound and slide it past the Glebe keeper for his first goal in a Fisher shirt. Glebe responded strongly and forced a series of corners form which a goal bound header was met with a fingertip save. Unfortunately the save was made by full back Michael Sarpong rather than Tommy Taylor and a red card was duly shown leaving Fisher to play seventy minutes with ten men. The defenders decision to handle was possibly justified when Helge Orome sent the resulting spot kick wide of the post much to the delight of the Fisher fans behind the goal.

Fisher defended well for the remainder of the half and despite Glebe having the majority of possession the lead was preserved well and bar catching a few long range shots and crosses Taylor was relatively untroubled in the Fisher goal.

The second half started at greater pace with Glebe straight on the attack. The Fisher back line were being stretched and only a great save by Taylor with the help of the crossbar and Sam Fitzgerald bravely throwing himself in front of the rebound kept the lead intact. Chances continued to come for Glebe and just as it looked as if the equaliser must come Fisher snatched a second. A great run and cross from Swaby saw Coker just beaten to the ball but from the resulting corner Fitzgerald’s header was only cleared as far as Coker who hooked his shot powerfully back goal wards and a slight deflection left Glebe’s keeper Ceesay with no chance.

With half an hour left and a two goal cushion Fisher needed to keep it tight for ten more minutes to really raise hopes of seeing the game out despite being a man down. However Glebe struck back almost immediately working space in the box for Philpot to sweep home. With the visitors making intelligent use of the extra man treating it like an ice hockey style power play and moving the ball around quickly and purposefully they were soon level as Ryan King became the extra man in the box and powerfully smashed hoe via the cross bar.

Glebe continued to press for a winner and Fisher understandably tired. Chances came and went but with just two minutes of normal time remaining a long diagonal into the box saw Taylor beaten to the ball by Jamie Philpot and his header looped into the unguarded net – heartbreak for Fisher who had battled valiantly. They regrouped and substitute Hoy almost snatched an injury time leveller but saw his shot from the right palmed away and a last gasp free kick after Swaby was felled on the edge of the box was hit over the bar by With on in a cameo substitute appearance in injury time. It wasn’t to be and Glebe continued with their 100 per cent league record – just!

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