Kent Football League

Fisher - VCD Athletic
Saturday 25 February 2012 - 15:00

VCD Athletic came from behind to beat Fisher and consign the club to a third league defeat in as many games.
The Fish took the lead when Mark Sisson poked home after a great pass by debutant Ricarddo Laing but Aiden Pursglove equalised just seconds later from close range.
The Vickers’ winner came from a Billy Shinners penalty after Frankie Warren was adjudged to have handled in the box.
VCD went into the game in having conceded just 13 league goals – fewer than any other team in the league.
Not only that but Steve Firkin’s side were also struggling in front of goal having scored just four in their last seven outings.
It was the visitors who started the brighter, Billy Hensman being called into action after just three minutes, saving bravely at the feet of James Duckworth.
And they went even closer when Hensman made an incredible double save, initially again at the feet of Duckworth before throwing himself across the goal-line to stop a Billy Bennett header from 6 yards that looked destined for the back of the net.
Despite the visitors early pressure it was Fisher who took the lead when after some neat one touch passing in midfield, Ricardo Laing threaded a delicate through ball to Sisson on the left side of goal, who despite a tricky angle managed to poke the ball into the far corner giving Molloy no chance.
Fisher’s lead lasted just seconds though as Purseglove slotted into an empty net from two yards after Hensman spilled what should have been a comfortable save based on his earlier heroics.
Just before the interval Danny Hunt was put through on goal and after being held back by Vickers’ defender Gary Cook the assistant linesman flagged for a foul. The referee consulted the linesman and after much deliberation Cook somehow escaped with only a yellow despite being the last man.
Fisher had ended the first half the brighter and had the first clear chance of the second half when Adam Wadmore whipped in a dangerous cross and Ricardo Laing rose well but put a thumping header just wide of the post.
VCD started to pass the ball the ball around with increasing confidence but Fisher were battling well and were playing with a grit and determination that has perhaps been lacking in recent weeks.
In the 75th minute Billy Hensman made another truly phenomenal save when Shinners was put through and fired low into the corner from just six yards, Hensman reacted at lightning speed however and somehow got enough on the ball to deflect it away  for a corner.
Despite Fishers performance they were cruelly undone with just 5 minutes remaining. Warren was harshly adjudged to have handled in the area and Billy Shinners stepped up to fire into the top right hand corner from the spot. Frankie Warren was sent off for a dissent and a second yellow in the melee surrounding the penalty.
Fisher pressed for a leveler but found it hard to create any real opportunities with ten men and VCD held on for the last 5 minutes for the three points.
The Fish performance was much improved from recent weeks and will feel unlucky not to take at least a point from a tough game against very strong opposition.

Fisher: Hensman, Taylor, Brutiges, Wilson-Joseph, Jarrett-Elliott, Walton, Wadmore, Warren (c), Sisson, Hunt, Laing. Subs: Monan, Alex Ball, Andrew Ball, Afioe

Attendance: 92