Match Report: Fisher 0-1 Canterbury City

Fisher 0-1 Canterbury City
Saturday 19th March 2022
SCEFL Premier Division
Attn 163

Photo credit: Dave Anderson

Fisher’s inconsistency this season again haunted them when after an impressive midweek display in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Kennington they served up a rather laboured performance in a 1-0 defeat to strugglers Canterbury City. The Fish never really looked like recovering from Josh Strouts early strike and despite the bulk of possession failed to create an equaliser in the remaining 86 minutes.
The side was relatively unchanged from Tuesday’s game with Julio Da Mata returning in place of the unavailable Pedro De Brito Moco. A swirling, gusting wind tested the flags in support of the London Football Unites for Ukraine as much as it did the players in the opening half but unlike in recent windy days did not lead to goals. Canterbury’s opener was all along the floor as deft through ball from Rob Lawrence split the Fisher back line and allowed Strouts to dance into the penalty area and shimmy past Tommy Taylor to slot comfortably into an empty net and silence St Pauls. A soft goal to concede so early in the game, but one that raised hopes of another goal fest afternoon with memories a fresh of a 6-6 draw in season’s past between the sides.
Darnelle Bailey-Kings ever impressive performance on the wing won Fisher an early kick and Oladejo swung over a teasing delivery but Joseph Adewunmi could not keep his header down at the far post and it sailed into the tress behind the Dockers End. Oledejo tried a different approach from another free kick soon after firing low and hard and from the resulting deflection Luke Tomas was gifted a glories opportunity but his controlling touch took him a little wide and his poked effort hit the side netting having opted to shoot near post rather than following the coaching maxim of ‘low and hard across the keeper’. The frustration of the Fisher bench was evident.
Taylor in the Fisher goal needed to be alert to shovel a snap shot from a free Canterbury forward around the post following a move down the right. Having claimed the corer with ease Taylor’s long clearance almost found Fidan Fejzi who just failed to get a foot to the wind assisted kick to guide it goal wards. More good work from Fejzi just before half time saw him slip through several tackles with little space to work in but his shot was into Benham’s midriff in the Canterbury goal.
The second spell saw Fisher straight on the attack and Thompson’s curling corner saw Benham scramble it away from under his bar. Canterbury looked to defend deep but with good purpose and Fisher were frustrated as the ball wouldn’t drop kindly following a couple of fumbles by Benham and half cleared headers. When the chances did arrive the finishes were not of sufficient quality – Imoru headed in to Benham’s hands and with his best save of the game the custodian beta away Luek Thomas’ shot.
Estaban Salgado, David Luzolo and Patrick Hoy were all introduced from the bench to add impetus to the side, but he pattern continued with a lot of honest endeavour from the Fish not being matched by the required quality. Thompson saw shot saved and breaking in from the left had a low effort blocked for corner. In a rare fray into the Fisher are Canterbury almost claimed a second but Taylor saved well. When a late free kick saw everyone in the Canterbury half hopes were raided for a last gasp equaliser but Taylor’s delivery sailed harmlessly into Benham’s gloves and the final whistle ended a frustrating afternoon or the Fisher faithful, with a daunting trip to leaders Chatham Town next week to come.