The Fish put Saturday’s defeat behind them and a committed performance on a cold and blustery night saw goals from Dave Waters and Alfie Roche secure a three-point haul.
Terrible traffic on the A2 meant that the kit didn’t arrive until 40 minutes before kick-off, but the Fish did not let this disruption put them off their game. Playing into a very strong wind in the first half, the visitors found it difficult to sustain any pressure on the Rochester goal but were able to handle the early attacks from the home side.
Fisher looked dangerous on the break, and Jordan Adekunle’s pace cause chaos down the left-hand side. From an Alfie Roche corner on 25 minutes, Fisher took the lead as Dave Waters broke free of his marker and stooped to plant a low header into the net.
Rochester responded but the Fish were able to contain the pressure exerted by the home side, and maintained their lead into half-time.
After the break Fisher looked to take advantage of having the wind at their back, and the returning Kieron Campbell smashed a 35 yard half-volley against the post. At the back, Waters and Jake McIntyre formed a solid partnership in the middle, repelling Rochester aerial attacks with ease. Charlie Payne pulled off a good fingertip save to keep the Fish in front.
At the other end Max Rothwell saw his long range shot saved, and Adekunle continued to give his full-back a torrid time. Fisher looked comfortable, but it was Rochester who struck next, Ricky Gundry taking advantage of a McIntyre slip to equalise on 78 minutes.
Just two minutes later, the lead was restored. Kieron Tarbie crossed from the right, and a faint touch from Alfie Roche was enough to divert it into the net. This was the spark for a crazy final ten minutes, as Fisher had the chance to make the game safe when Kevin Penfold fouled Luke Haidarovic in the box. Penfold saw red as he was the last man, but Haidarovic blasted his spot kick over the bar. Shortlu afterwards, Victor Borode picked up a second yellow card to make it ten men each, and the Spartans launched an assault on the Fisher goal but were unable to make the breakthrough.
The win lifted the Fish seven points clear of the relegation spot in the division.
Fisher: Payne, Tarbie, Borode, Janneh, McIntyre, Waters, Roche, Rothwell, Haidarovic, Campbell (Folkes 69), Adekunle (Demtrius 75). Unused Subs: Davis, Eze, Paul-Sinclair
