SCEFL Premier Division

Whitstable Town 0 - 0 Fisher
Monday 21 April 2025 - 15:00

Whitstable Town 0-0 Fisher
Monday 21 April 2025
SCEFL Premier Division

Attn: 527

Fisher all but guaranteed a play off spot, with a battling performance to earn a point, at in form FA Vase finalists, Whitstable Town on Easter Monday. After the goalless draw, Fisher moved three points above sixth place Rusthall, with a game to play, but crucially with a far superior goal difference, meaning only defeat at home to Hollands and Blair in the last game of the season on Saturday, coupled with Rusthall beating champions Faversham and a nine point goal swing will deny the Fish a play-off spot.
Mindful of the busy play-off schedule Fisher juggled their squad with a return to the starting line-up for Jacob Katonia and a first start for Siao Blackwood as Armani-Jordan Martin and Jake Lovell rested recent injuries. The hosts, who have swept up the table as they played their many games in hand resulting from their fine Vase run to Wembley Stadium also switched the squad around coming into the game after beating Rusthall 6-0 two days earlier.
Fisher started strongly, quickly settling into the game and welcoming the good surface after several recent away games on very poor pitches. Courtney Barrington and Jacob Katonia both saw plenty of ball on either wing, getting a number of good crosses into the box and Katonia had a good early shout for a penalty waved away after he went to ground, having got past his marker on the by line. The first real sight of goal saw Flavio Jumo rifle an effort on the half volley from the edge of the box just wide of the goal. Set plays looked the hosts best route to goal and Fisher had to defend a number of corners and long throws directed into the box, but Ange Djadja and Don Macaulay were again in impressive form at the heart of the Fisher back line. Fisher continued to probe and Whitstable’s keeper had to gather two dangerous low crosses from Barrington and Mbuenimo with Kesna Clarke lurking to apply a final touch. The half ended with Fisher awarded a free kick on the right just outside the penalty area, but Conor Darwish saw his effort towards the top corner just fail to dip under the bar.
The second half again saw Fisher make the quicker start with threats down both wings, but Whitstable were able to stop any clear cut chances and started to push on themselves. A deep cross into the Fisher area was headed back across goal and Isaac Ogunseri had to dive full stretch high to his left to push away the powerful volley that resulted, in the hosts best effort of the game. Buoyed by this Whitstable sent more balls into the box but the Fisher defence stood firm, with Tyron Mbuenimo putting in a masterful shift in midfield, ensuring he was on every second ball once Fisher had partly cleared their lines.
Both sides looked to try and win the game in the final fifteen minutes. Substitute Halim Bakre was millimetres away from getting a final touch at the back post after Barrington’s cross flashed across the face of the goal and fellow sub Charles Yiadom Konadu saw a free kick from the edge of the area charged down by the wall. With five minutes to play Yiadom Konadu went agonisingly close after good work from Bakre down the left, saw his cross tucked back by Dan Flemming and the majestic midfielder’s chipped effort just curled an inch wide of the post with the keeper beaten.
Whitstable threw caution to the wind in the final minutes and Fisher had to repel a lot of late pressure, Jack Gibbons clearing off the line after a scramble in the box, although it appeared the offside flag was up. But the Fisher back line showed why it has been over seven hours since they last conceded with Ogunseri commanding between the sticks. Urged on by a strong away following Fisher saw out the game aware of news from other games that meant one foot (and most of the leg and body) was in the play offs, where ironically they are almost certain to face another trip back to meet Whitstable next Tuesday, once they rubber stamp their place back at St Pauls on Saturday.

Keep up-to-date with all Fisher FC activities:

  • SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FAN-OWNED FOOTBALL CLUB

Categories