MATCH REPORT: Fisher 1-1 Bearsted

FISHER COMMUNITY DAY 2025

Fisher 1-1 Bearsted
Saturday 15th November
SCEFL Premier Division

Matchball Sponsor: Millwall Community Trust

Attn: 432 (new record for a league game at St Pauls)
Scorer: Michael Sarpong (70 min)

Photo Credit: Dave Anderson – Full Album here

A record league crowd for a game at St Pauls saw Fisher pick up a point in 1-1 draw against high flying Bearsted. The 432 in attendance for Fisher’s Community Day were treated to a thrilling second-half as Fisher did everything they could to try and win the three points in an ending that was like two heavyweight boxers trading blows in the 15th round, as the game swung backwards and forwards, in a dramatic closing fifteen minutes. Fisher only made one change from the midweek win against Chislehurst Glebe, with Lorenzo Duncan coming into the side in place of Rafael Garcia, who dropped to the bench.
Fisher almost got off to the perfect start as Festos Kamara was released down the right wing and his low cross just evaded Kesna Clarke before being slammed into the side netting by Lorenzo Duncan at the far post. However, in the fifth minute they fell behind as a looping header from the edge of the penalty area from Ashdon Mitford crept in at the back post to silence the large crowd. Clarke had a good chance to reply almost immediately for the Fish when wriggling clear of his marker but shot tamely at Fanshawe in the Bearsted goal. Fisher continued to press but despite seeing a lot of ball in the attacking third struggled for the final pass. Duncan scuffed a shot when finding a bit of space in the area. Kamara continued to be a threat down the right linking up well with Jack Gibbons to create several openings that Fisher couldn’t take advantage of in what became a frustrating half for the home side. This was compounded when Kamara appeared to be pulled back when racing through onto Clarke’s through ball, and in a curious set of events after getting his shot away was awarded the free kick with the offender only shown a yellow card despite clearly being the last man. The resulting free kick from Tom Jones crashed against the wall. The half ended with more frustration as Clarke saw a shot well saved by Fanshawe.
The second half saw Fisher find more fluency in attack as they continued to press for an equaliser, forcing several early corners, but despite the presence of Djadja and Macaulay they could not force any efforts on goal from Jones’ deliveries. Rafael Garcia came on for Duncan, and his mazy runs started to trouble the Bearsted back line. The visitors task of holding the Fisher attacks at bay became harder midway through the half, when left back Radojevic delayed Fisher taking a quick free kick and earned a second yellow card, leaving his side a player short. Fisher capitalised almost immediately as Jack Gibbons clipped a fine ball down the right channel and Kamara twisted and turned into space to pick out Michael Sarpong arriving in the box, who slammed the ball into the roof if the net.
Fisher then went in search of a winner, but lost their numerical advantage when Tyron Mbuenimo was harshly adjudged to have pulled down a Bearsted midfielder and was also given a second yellow card of the game. At ten a side the game opened up into a terrific battle for the final quarter of an hour as both sides took turns pouring forward for a winner, throwing caution the wind and serving up a spectacular finish for the large crowd.
Fisher looked the more likely as Kamara was denied at the near post by the keeper, Garcia shot wide when teed up twelve yards out following a fine run by Jones and Kamara was again denied by a last ditch tackle as he seemed to break clear into the area with Fisher players appeals for either a penalty or corner waved away. With ten minutes off added time going up, both sides continued to exchange attacks basketball style. Jake Lovell got in behind the defence but could not get enough height on his attempted lob allowing Fanshawe to gather. Fellow substitute David Mata then fizzed an effort just wide of the post as the packed Dockers End roared Fisher on, but there was almost last second heartbreak as Jimoh evaded Macaulay and had a free run on goal. Ogunseri dud enough to force him wide allowing Djadja to miraculously slide in at the near post to clear off the line and secure the point from a thrilling game.