SCEFL Premier Division

Fisher 1 - 0 Stansfeld
Saturday 22 April 2023 - 15:00

Fisher 1-0 Stansfeld
Saturday 22 April 2023
SCEFL Premier Division

Scorers: Kyron Cooper (93 mins)
Attn: 273

Fisher ended their league campaign with a late goal giving them a 1-0 win over local rivals Stansfeld at St Pauls.
Manager Ajay Ashanike used the full depth of his squad as he rested many of the players who will start in next week’s cup final and named himself amongst the staring eleven, alongside Luke With at the heart of the Fisher defence. Antony Connor came in at right back, with youngster Kaylam Burgess making up the back four on the left. Manny Brown returned into midfield with Pat Hoy and Darnell Bromfield, with the cup tied Clyde Semazzi and Ollie Milton both playing up front alongside debutant Tobi Brown.
A quiet opening saw Stansfeld have the bulk pf possession, but few chances were created, although Ashanike conceded an early corner as he started a game for the first time in four years, but he redeemed himself with thunderous clearing header to clear the danger when the corner came into the box.
A neat move down the left saw Alfie Moynes head wide from a free header midway through the half and at the other end Cotrell had to race out of his goal on several occasions as Ollie Milton looked to nip behind his former team’s back line. Milton was supplied well by Antony Connor who clipped several excellent balls down the right flank in a very composed game by the winger pressed into defensive duties.
Much to the mirth of the rested players on the side line, Ashanike almost played himself into trouble when bringing down a long ball and thinking he could roll the clock back chopped inside an approaching forward only to dally on the out ball and get caught in possession, but With and Connor were on hand to spare the bosses blushes.
As half time approach Clyde Semmazi found space from a good run, but his shot went wide of the post, as did an effort from Stansfeld at the other end with the game starting to take on a typical end of season feel.
The second half saw Fisher show more attacking intent and Semazzi drew a good low save from Cotrell and from the resulting corners, as Stansfled struggled to clear their lines, Luke With headed over.
Ashanike was withdrawn shortly after the break, replaced by Prince Imoru and midway through the half Kyron Cooper and Oneal Rowe replaced the Brown brothers, both of whom had put in a good shift of tireless running and chasing.
As the game moved into the closing stages Fisher looked the more likely to break the deadlock. Manny Shoderu a late sub for Ollie Milton almost beat Cotrell to a through ball with the keeper not able to gather but then managing to save from Semazzi’s follow up.
Stansfeld then had a great chance to take the points as a quick counter-attack saw a flighted effort from the corner of the penalty area draw a fabulous save from Justice Owusu, clawing the top corner bound effort away one handed.
Luke Thomas then came on for a cameo up front in a late substitution and it was an inspired move by stand in manager for the day Michael Williams, as deep into injury time Fisher cleared their lines and found Thomas on halfway, who spun his marker and charged down the left flank. The supporters’ player of the year then advanced the box before flicking the ball inside of his marker to tee up Kyron Cooper who had shown great speed to join the attack and he calmly stoked the ball into the far corner to the delight of the 273 fans in attendance as Fisher snatched the points at the death.
The win sees the Fish end the season in eleventh position in a very competitive SCEFL Premier Division and full of confidence for next week’s League Cup final against Hollands & Blair on Bank Holiday Monday at Whitstable.

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