Kent Football League

Fisher continued their recent fine run of form with another convincing win on the road.
Sports, the Stoke City of the Kent League, was on paper going to be a stern test of Fisher’s new-found defensive resolve but the Fish remained relatively comfortable throughout repelling Norton’s strong-arm tactics at every turn and went on to win the football contest hands-down.
In truth the 3-1 reverse flattered the home side as the Fish should have been out of site by half time – so great was their dominance.
Defensive Lynch-pin Jimmy Beaucamp joined Lloyd Boateng on the injury list forcing Gary Lisney into partnering Bryan Glover and Cedric Abraham at the back. The latter, who usually plays as centre forward seemed to forget about his defensive duties five minutes in. Abraham was allowed space to go on a mazy 50 yard run which resulted in a fine low drive which the over-worked Paul West did well to turn round the post. Norton struggled to find any rhythm as Fisher’s tenacious midfielders continued to intercept wayward passes and feed the away side’s potent attacking trio at every opportunity.
After 12 minutes, Elstrom Die was played through in the box and was bundled over but the referee waved the penalty appeals away. 5 minutes later, the industrious George Savage squared for Luke Coleman on the edge of the area, the Fish top scorer unleashed a fine curling drive but West was on hand to help the ball on its way for a corner.
Finally on 23 minutes, Norton’s resistance was undone as a searching long ball got the better of the Sports backline. Rafael Akala took advantage of the hesitancy galloping on before drilling the ball low into the far corner. Just 4 minutes later, Akala again beat the offside trap. The first touch was poor as the forward was forced wide but the second was terrific, the ball smashed into the back of the net via both posts.
A shell-shocked Norton pulled them-selves back into contention against the run of play. A corner was whipped in towards the far post, which rebounded off a stray Fisher boot before being cleared but the linesman adjudged the ball had already crossed the line.
In the second half, the Fish continued on the front foot – attack being the best form of defence and always looked the likelier to score picking off Norton on the break. West was forced into another good save off Coleman before Savage hit the crossbar with a smashing follow up shot when a corner was only half cleared.
10 minutes from time, Coleman finally made the game safe allowed two bites of the cherry after West could only parry straight to the striker’s feet. The Fish held on to record another impressive win.