SCEFL Premier Division

Bearsted 2 - 0 Fisher
Saturday 27 April 2024 - 15:00

Bearsted 2-0 Fisher
Saturday 27 April
SCEFL Premier Division

Attn: 110

Fisher’s season ended with defeat on the road at Bearsted as two late goals by the hosts settled a low key game amidst cold and wet weather more suited to deep mid-season than late April.
The vagaries of the season had left Fisher’s squad rather threadbare with young starlet Sam Sene Richardson away on trial at Preston North End and injuries seeing a host of players sitting out the game including the influential Charles Yiadom Konadu, Billy Brown, Tyron Mbuenimo, Nathan Tshola, Teddy Jones and Jospeh Adewunmi. The squad was buoyed by the return of young keeper Sam Nwabuko, returning from an extended trial at Peterborough United, Jacob Katonia back from suspension and Pat Hoy returning to the Fish for a one off game as a favour.
The best playing surface in the league allowed both sides to knock the ball about and good midfield interplay was the main feature of the first half which saw some wayward shooting from both sides keep the score goalless. Jacob Katonia saw an early effort pushed away for corner and Flavio Jumo was teed up for a shot on the edge of the area but dragged the effort just wide of the post. The best chance of the half fell to Jojo Kinzonzi, joining in the attack from left back to see his low drive from well outside the box skim the outside of the post. At the other end Bearsted wasted a good chance when a free header was sent over the bar and several shots form distance flew high and wide without duly troubling Nwabuko, although one powerful swirling effort to the top corner would have left him little chance had it not just marginally cleared the bar.
The second spell saw Bearsted play higher up the pitch and chances on goal became less frequent for the Fish. Nwabuko was called into action to make a stunning double save just past the hour mark, showing the benefit of full time training at Peterborough in the way he reacted from the first save to recover to make an instinctive second block when a goal looked near certain. As Fisher cleared the danger the countered themselves ending with Mehki Clarke firing wide as he looked to slot the ball wide of the keeper.
Fisher’s injuries woes were compounded as Michael Sarpong hobbled off and with few midfield options on the bench they were forced into a reshuffle with Kyrn Cooper joining Thomas Ngegba in attack in a 442 formation.
With fifteen minutes remaining Nwabuko pulled off an even more impressive save as Bearsted switched the ball across the area allowing what seemed a tap in at the back post, but the young. stopper threw himself across the goal line to miraculously smoother the goal bound effort. His heroics were in vain though as five minutes later Bearsted took the lead having created space down the left channel allowing Ollie Freeman to add to his impressive goal tally this season by sweeping the ball home low into the far corner.
Fisher tired to rally, but with tiring legs on the large pitch could only create a half chance for Jacob Katonia who pushed an effort wide of the post and lacked an aerial threat to make anything out of a couple of late corners they forced. With three minutes left on the clock Bearsted wrapped the game up as Will Johnson-Cole was afforded too much space in the area and turned to fire home from close range.
The game neatly summed up the season – hugely  impressive performances from youngsters, with Josh Duyile and Sam Nwabuko both shining today,  some attractive quick midfield play, always competitive, but ultimately needing something more dominant and decisive  in both penalty areas.
A lower mid table finish in the league with no paying budget is no mean feat and thoughts will now turn to  rebuilding for the new season in July, with, as with many clubs, a dominant centre back and free scoring forward high on the wanted list.

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