The Fish returned from the long trip to Deal with a point, but it could have been three had they taken one of many second half chances.
With a number of players unavailable for the trip, the Fish were down to the bare bones but put in a creditable display that should have seen the team secure a victory. Deal got off to the faster start, however and they missed an excellent chance at the far post early on in proceedings. The Fish has early chances too, Kane Chattey couldn’t convert an Ope Aromona cross while Bobby Holley blasted over as Fisher forced a string of corners.
Back at the other end, Danny Firkins pulled off a magnificent stop on the half-hour mark to keep the scores level, and just two minutes later the Fish took full advantage. A Chattey flick-on set Danny Hunt through and the striker broke his goal drought with a classy finish. Fisher went in to the half time break in the lead, and looking strong at the back with Theo Larbie in particular in no mood to allow the Deal strikers any time or space.
Fisher looked to extend their lead early in the second period, and a brilliant move saw Richie Monan put Hunt through again, but this time his placed finish somehow hit the post when it appeared certain to go in. Aromona was then denied by a fantastic save from Deal keeper John Sparks.
The game was entertaining end-to-end stuff at this stage, but it was Deal who struck as Fisher paid for their profligacy earlier in the game. Poor defending from a corner let in Aaron Robinson who made no mistake and levelled the scores with fifteen minutes to play.
There were still more chances for Fisher – Holley forced another save out of Sparks and Aromona planted a header over the bar with the goal unprotected. Holley then shot wide in the dying moments and Fisher’s chance to end their winless streak had passed.
Fisher: Firkins, Dixon, Jeffery, Justice (Ajide 66), Larbie, Walton, Holley (Fearon 71), Monan, Chattey, Hunt, Aromona
Attendance: 70
