Fisher couldn’t convert numerous chances as Matt Evans played a blinder in goal for East Preston, and they went out of the cup to a fantastic early goal.
The Fish were missing captain Frankie Warren and Steve O’Donnell through work commitments, but it was still a strong side that made the long trip down to the West Sussex coastal village of East Preston. Orlando Richards led the line while Danny Taylor moved to centre-half, with Stefan Dixon making his first start of the season at right-back.
The Fish got off to the worst possible start though as East Preston striker Shaun Charles was allowed space on the edge of the box, and he took full advantage by placing a beautiful curling shot in to the top corner of the net, giving Danny Firkins no chance. The Fish responded well to this blow and were soon on the attack, and Adam Wadmore had a fierce shot tipped over the bar by home keeper Matt Evans. From the resulting corner, Taylor sent a looping header over Evans but the keeper somehow adjusted to get a hand to the ball and push it over.
It was all Fisher at this stage, and Evans saved from an Ope Aromona run and shot on 10 minutes. Fisher continued to press but the home defence limited the chances available, and Richards made a number of attempts to latch on to through balls only to be thwarted by the linesman’s flag. The game was more even towards the end of the half though neither side could muster a further chance before the whistle blew for half time.
After the break Fisher once again stepped up the pressure. A Wadmore corner caused chaos in the box, an East Preston defender eventually deflecting the ball against his own post before it was cleared. The home side threatened occasionally and Firkins made instinctive save with his legs to ensure that Fisher did not fall further behind. The game lacked quality, but as the half wore on it was Fisher who looked stronger and more likely to score.
Dixon began to find space on the right, linking well with substitute Damien Ramsamy. Zak Henry saw a shot saved with fifteen minutes to go, while the Fish were dangerous from set pieces throughout the game. It was all Fisher in the closing stages, and with five minutes left Ramsamy was put through on goal but Evans rushed out to make a tremendous stop as the Fisher man looked to chip the ball over him.
Fisher began to sense it wasn’t to be their night, and that feeling was confirmed as Dixon sent a curling left foot shot agonisingly wide as he shot from an angle. That was the last real chance of the game as East Preston successfully closed out the match and secure a tie at Guildford City in the next round.
A huge disappointment for Fisher, but another promising all-round performance meant that it was not all doom and gloom after the game – a performance like that on another day would have seen a comfortable Fisher win. It was not to be for the Fish in the FA Cup this season, but there is plenty still to play for starting with a league fixture at Corinthian on Saturday.
Fisher: Firkins, Dixon, Olugbemi, Taylor, Frempah, Wadmore, Henry, Brown, Richards (Griffiths 58), Wickenden (Ramsamy 58), Aromona. Unused Sub: Adesina
Attendance: 79
