The Fish fell to a second away defeat in a row, as a youthful side fell to Woodstock Sports in atrocious conditions on Saturday.
Injuries to Danny Tipple and Peter Afolayan, plus a suspension for Adam Wadmore, meant that Steve Firkins was forced to make changes and he handed Fisher Under 18 wingers – and twins – Alex and Andrew Ball their debuts. Also starting for the Fish was Danny Taylor at right back, with Richie Monan moving across the defence to cover the left-back role.
As the game kicked off in extremely blustery conditions, the heavy rain that had been forecast for 3pm arrived bang on time. Fisher were playing into the wind in the first half, and the rain, wind and bumpy pitch meant that both sides struggled to string moves together. But the Fish started brightly and there were early chances for Mark Sisson and Danny Hunt while a ball flashed across the Fisher box from a set piece could have gone anywhere – fortunately it went to a Fisher boot and was cleared.
Woodstock took the lead from a corner shortly afterwards though, as James McDonald got hold of a loose ball and gave Bill Hensman no chance with his finish. Fisher responded however, and were level after 24 minutes when Sisson latched on to a Jamie Turner through ball and he sent a cool chipped finish over Woodstock keeper Lewis Rankin from nine yards out.
The rest of the half was scrappy, and it was a relief to all concerned when the referee blew for half time and gave the players and spectators some brief respite from the conditions.
Woodstock regained their lead shortly after the break as McDonald took on Jarrett-Elliott on the right and his shot from an angle somehow went in at the near post – a wicked deflection fooling Hensman who could only watch it loop into the net.
Hunt should have levelled things up at two apiece on 57 minutes when he was put through on goal by Turner but he couldn’t beat Rankin who was able to block his shot. Fisher continued to press and were able to dominate possession, but chances were few and far between. Bryan Zepo, another youth team product, replaced Andrew Ball and looked lively on the left. And there was also time for a debut for a fourth under 18s graduate, Keiron Campbell.
The Fish had little to show for their efforts, despite winning a number of corners, although Jarrett-Elliott went close with a first time shot that went just over. Woodstock picked the Fish off on the break in the closing stages, with McDonald completing his hat trick then an unmarked Joe Sands scoring an injury time fourth to ensure that the scoreline was more emphatic than the game itself suggested.
Another tough away day for the Fish however, although the appearance of talented young players from Fisher’s existing youth section bodes well for the future. Fisher return home on Saturday to face VCD at Champion Hill.
Fisher: Hensman, Taylor, Monan, Wilson-Joseph, Jarrett-Elliott, Walton, Alex Ball (Campbell 77), Turner, Sisson, Hunt, Andrew Ball (Zepo 60)
Attendance: 51
